1859
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Investigating magistrate since 1859, he had rapidly acquired the most brilliant reputation.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading M. Daburon was a man thirty-eight years of age, and of prepossessing appearance; sympathetic notwithstanding his coldness; wearing upon his countenance a sweet, and rather sad expression.
acquiredadjectiveUS /əˈkwaɪərd/
gotten through environmental forces
From this reading Investigating magistrate since 1859, he had rapidly acquired the most brilliant reputation.
acuteadjectiveUS /əˈkjuːt/
having or experiencing a rapid onset and short but severe course
From this reading Laborious, patient, and acute, he knew with singular skill how to disentangle the skein of the most complicated affair, and from the midst of a thousand threads lay hold to the right one.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Laborious, patient, and acute, he knew with singular skill how to disentangle the skein of the most complicated affair, and from the midst of a thousand threads lay hold to the right one.
how long something has existed
From this reading M. Daburon was a man thirty-eight years of age, and of prepossessing appearance; sympathetic notwithstanding his coldness; wearing upon his countenance a sweet, and rather sad expression.
algebranounUS /ˈældʒəbrə/
the mathematics of generalized arithmetical operations
From this reading None better than he, armed with an implacable logic, could solve those terrible problems in which X--in algebra, the unknown quantity--represents the criminal.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading None better than he, armed with an implacable logic, could solve those terrible problems in which X--in algebra, the unknown quantity--represents the criminal.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading M. Daburon was a man thirty-eight years of age, and of prepossessing appearance; sympathetic notwithstanding his coldness; wearing upon his countenance a sweet, and rather sad expression.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading M. Daburon was a man thirty-eight years of age, and of prepossessing appearance; sympathetic notwithstanding his coldness; wearing upon his countenance a sweet, and rather sad expression.
(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms
From this reading None better than he, armed with an implacable logic, could solve those terrible problems in which X--in algebra, the unknown quantity--represents the criminal.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading This settled melancholy had remained with him ever since his recovery, two years before, from a dreadful malady, which had well-nigh proved fatal.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading None better than he, armed with an implacable logic, could solve those terrible problems in which X--in algebra, the unknown quantity--represents the criminal.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading Investigating magistrate since 1859, he had rapidly acquired the most brilliant reputation.
coldnessnounUS /ˈkoʊldnəs/
the sensation produced by low temperatures
From this reading M. Daburon was a man thirty-eight years of age, and of prepossessing appearance; sympathetic notwithstanding his coldness; wearing upon his countenance a sweet, and rather sad expression.
complicatedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmpləkeɪtəd/
difficult to analyze or understand
From this reading Laborious, patient, and acute, he knew with singular skill how to disentangle the skein of the most complicated affair, and from the midst of a thousand threads lay hold to the right one.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading None better than he, armed with an implacable logic, could solve those terrible problems in which X--in algebra, the unknown quantity--represents the criminal.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading M. Daburon was a man thirty-eight years of age, and of prepossessing appearance; sympathetic notwithstanding his coldness; wearing upon his countenance a sweet, and rather sad expression.
bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
From this reading None better than he, armed with an implacable logic, could solve those terrible problems in which X--in algebra, the unknown quantity--represents the criminal.
Daburon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading M. Daburon was a man thirty-eight years of age, and of prepossessing appearance; sympathetic notwithstanding his coldness; wearing upon his countenance a sweet, and rather sad expression.
disentangleverbUS /ˌdɪsənˈtæŋɡəl/
release from entanglement of difficulty
From this reading Laborious, patient, and acute, he knew with singular skill how to disentangle the skein of the most complicated affair, and from the midst of a thousand threads lay hold to the right one.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading This settled melancholy had remained with him ever since his recovery, two years before, from a dreadful malady, which had well-nigh proved fatal.
at any time
From this reading This settled melancholy had remained with him ever since his recovery, two years before, from a dreadful malady, which had well-nigh proved fatal.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading M. Daburon was a man thirty-eight years of age, and of prepossessing appearance; sympathetic notwithstanding his coldness; wearing upon his countenance a sweet, and rather sad expression.
fataladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtəl/
bringing death
From this reading This settled melancholy had remained with him ever since his recovery, two years before, from a dreadful malady, which had well-nigh proved fatal.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This settled melancholy had remained with him ever since his recovery, two years before, from a dreadful malady, which had well-nigh proved fatal.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This settled melancholy had remained with him ever since his recovery, two years before, from a dreadful malady, which had well-nigh proved fatal.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Investigating magistrate since 1859, he had rapidly acquired the most brilliant reputation.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This settled melancholy had remained with him ever since his recovery, two years before, from a dreadful malady, which had well-nigh proved fatal.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading M. Daburon was a man thirty-eight years of age, and of prepossessing appearance; sympathetic notwithstanding his coldness; wearing upon his countenance a sweet, and rather sad expression.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Laborious, patient, and acute, he knew with singular skill how to disentangle the skein of the most complicated affair, and from the midst of a thousand threads lay hold to the right one.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laborious, patient, and acute, he knew with singular skill how to disentangle the skein of the most complicated affair, and from the midst of a thousand threads lay hold to the right one.
implacableadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈplækəbəl/
incapable of being placated
From this reading None better than he, armed with an implacable logic, could solve those terrible problems in which X--in algebra, the unknown quantity--represents the criminal.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading None better than he, armed with an implacable logic, could solve those terrible problems in which X--in algebra, the unknown quantity--represents the criminal.
InvestigatingnounUS /ˌɪnˈvestəɡeɪtɪŋ/
the work of inquiring into something thoroughly and systematically
From this reading Investigating magistrate since 1859, he had rapidly acquired the most brilliant reputation.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Laborious, patient, and acute, he knew with singular skill how to disentangle the skein of the most complicated affair, and from the midst of a thousand threads lay hold to the right one.
LaboriousadjectiveUS /ləˈbɔːriəs/
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
From this reading Laborious, patient, and acute, he knew with singular skill how to disentangle the skein of the most complicated affair, and from the midst of a thousand threads lay hold to the right one.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Laborious, patient, and acute, he knew with singular skill how to disentangle the skein of the most complicated affair, and from the midst of a thousand threads lay hold to the right one.
logicnounUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪk/
the branch of philosophy that analyzes inference
From this reading None better than he, armed with an implacable logic, could solve those terrible problems in which X--in algebra, the unknown quantity--represents the criminal.
the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
From this reading M. Daburon was a man thirty-eight years of age, and of prepossessing appearance; sympathetic notwithstanding his coldness; wearing upon his countenance a sweet, and rather sad expression.
magistratenounUS /ˈmædʒəstreɪt/
a lay judge or civil authority who administers the law (especially one who conducts a court dealing with minor offenses)
From this reading Investigating magistrate since 1859, he had rapidly acquired the most brilliant reputation.
maladynounUS /ˈmælədi/
any unwholesome or desperate condition
From this reading This settled melancholy had remained with him ever since his recovery, two years before, from a dreadful malady, which had well-nigh proved fatal.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading M. Daburon was a man thirty-eight years of age, and of prepossessing appearance; sympathetic notwithstanding his coldness; wearing upon his countenance a sweet, and rather sad expression.
a feeling of thoughtful sadness
From this reading This settled melancholy had remained with him ever since his recovery, two years before, from a dreadful malady, which had well-nigh proved fatal.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading Laborious, patient, and acute, he knew with singular skill how to disentangle the skein of the most complicated affair, and from the midst of a thousand threads lay hold to the right one.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Investigating magistrate since 1859, he had rapidly acquired the most brilliant reputation.
not one, and not any
From this reading None better than he, armed with an implacable logic, could solve those terrible problems in which X--in algebra, the unknown quantity--represents the criminal.
despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)
From this reading M. Daburon was a man thirty-eight years of age, and of prepossessing appearance; sympathetic notwithstanding his coldness; wearing upon his countenance a sweet, and rather sad expression.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading M. Daburon was a man thirty-eight years of age, and of prepossessing appearance; sympathetic notwithstanding his coldness; wearing upon his countenance a sweet, and rather sad expression.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Laborious, patient, and acute, he knew with singular skill how to disentangle the skein of the most complicated affair, and from the midst of a thousand threads lay hold to the right one.
a person who requires medical care
From this reading Laborious, patient, and acute, he knew with singular skill how to disentangle the skein of the most complicated affair, and from the midst of a thousand threads lay hold to the right one.
prepossessingadjective
creating a favorable impression
From this reading M. Daburon was a man thirty-eight years of age, and of prepossessing appearance; sympathetic notwithstanding his coldness; wearing upon his countenance a sweet, and rather sad expression.
problemsnounUS /ˈprɑːbləmz/
plural of “problem” — a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading None better than he, armed with an implacable logic, could solve those terrible problems in which X--in algebra, the unknown quantity--represents the criminal.
established beyond doubt
From this reading This settled melancholy had remained with him ever since his recovery, two years before, from a dreadful malady, which had well-nigh proved fatal.
quantitynounUS /ˈkwɑːntəti/
how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify
From this reading None better than he, armed with an implacable logic, could solve those terrible problems in which X--in algebra, the unknown quantity--represents the criminal.
with speed
From this reading Investigating magistrate since 1859, he had rapidly acquired the most brilliant reputation.
on the contrary
From this reading M. Daburon was a man thirty-eight years of age, and of prepossessing appearance; sympathetic notwithstanding his coldness; wearing upon his countenance a sweet, and rather sad expression.
recoverynounUS /rɪˈkʌvri/
return to an original state
From this reading This settled melancholy had remained with him ever since his recovery, two years before, from a dreadful malady, which had well-nigh proved fatal.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading This settled melancholy had remained with him ever since his recovery, two years before, from a dreadful malady, which had well-nigh proved fatal.
representsverbUS /ˌreprɪˈzents/
third-person singular of “represent” — take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to
From this reading None better than he, armed with an implacable logic, could solve those terrible problems in which X--in algebra, the unknown quantity--represents the criminal.
the state of being held in high esteem and honor
From this reading Investigating magistrate since 1859, he had rapidly acquired the most brilliant reputation.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Laborious, patient, and acute, he knew with singular skill how to disentangle the skein of the most complicated affair, and from the midst of a thousand threads lay hold to the right one.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading M. Daburon was a man thirty-eight years of age, and of prepossessing appearance; sympathetic notwithstanding his coldness; wearing upon his countenance a sweet, and rather sad expression.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading This settled melancholy had remained with him ever since his recovery, two years before, from a dreadful malady, which had well-nigh proved fatal.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading This settled melancholy had remained with him ever since his recovery, two years before, from a dreadful malady, which had well-nigh proved fatal.
unusual or striking
From this reading Laborious, patient, and acute, he knew with singular skill how to disentangle the skein of the most complicated affair, and from the midst of a thousand threads lay hold to the right one.
skeinnounUS /skeɪn/
coils of worsted yarn
From this reading Laborious, patient, and acute, he knew with singular skill how to disentangle the skein of the most complicated affair, and from the midst of a thousand threads lay hold to the right one.
an ability that has been acquired by training
From this reading Laborious, patient, and acute, he knew with singular skill how to disentangle the skein of the most complicated affair, and from the midst of a thousand threads lay hold to the right one.
solveverbUS /sɑːlv/
find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of
From this reading None better than he, armed with an implacable logic, could solve those terrible problems in which X--in algebra, the unknown quantity--represents the criminal.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading M. Daburon was a man thirty-eight years of age, and of prepossessing appearance; sympathetic notwithstanding his coldness; wearing upon his countenance a sweet, and rather sad expression.
sympatheticadjectiveUS /ˌsɪmpəˈθetɪk/
of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system
From this reading M. Daburon was a man thirty-eight years of age, and of prepossessing appearance; sympathetic notwithstanding his coldness; wearing upon his countenance a sweet, and rather sad expression.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading None better than he, armed with an implacable logic, could solve those terrible problems in which X--in algebra, the unknown quantity--represents the criminal.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading None better than he, armed with an implacable logic, could solve those terrible problems in which X--in algebra, the unknown quantity--represents the criminal.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Investigating magistrate since 1859, he had rapidly acquired the most brilliant reputation.
thirty-eightadjective
being eight more than thirty
From this reading M. Daburon was a man thirty-eight years of age, and of prepossessing appearance; sympathetic notwithstanding his coldness; wearing upon his countenance a sweet, and rather sad expression.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This settled melancholy had remained with him ever since his recovery, two years before, from a dreadful malady, which had well-nigh proved fatal.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading None better than he, armed with an implacable logic, could solve those terrible problems in which X--in algebra, the unknown quantity--represents the criminal.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading Laborious, patient, and acute, he knew with singular skill how to disentangle the skein of the most complicated affair, and from the midst of a thousand threads lay hold to the right one.
threadsnounUS /θredz/
informal terms for clothing
From this reading Laborious, patient, and acute, he knew with singular skill how to disentangle the skein of the most complicated affair, and from the midst of a thousand threads lay hold to the right one.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Laborious, patient, and acute, he knew with singular skill how to disentangle the skein of the most complicated affair, and from the midst of a thousand threads lay hold to the right one.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading This settled melancholy had remained with him ever since his recovery, two years before, from a dreadful malady, which had well-nigh proved fatal.
not known
From this reading None better than he, armed with an implacable logic, could solve those terrible problems in which X--in algebra, the unknown quantity--represents the criminal.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading M. Daburon was a man thirty-eight years of age, and of prepossessing appearance; sympathetic notwithstanding his coldness; wearing upon his countenance a sweet, and rather sad expression.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading M. Daburon was a man thirty-eight years of age, and of prepossessing appearance; sympathetic notwithstanding his coldness; wearing upon his countenance a sweet, and rather sad expression.
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading M. Daburon was a man thirty-eight years of age, and of prepossessing appearance; sympathetic notwithstanding his coldness; wearing upon his countenance a sweet, and rather sad expression.
well-nighadverb
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading This settled melancholy had remained with him ever since his recovery, two years before, from a dreadful malady, which had well-nigh proved fatal.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This settled melancholy had remained with him ever since his recovery, two years before, from a dreadful malady, which had well-nigh proved fatal.
in the company of; together with
From this reading This settled melancholy had remained with him ever since his recovery, two years before, from a dreadful malady, which had well-nigh proved fatal.
XnounUS /eks/
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading None better than he, armed with an implacable logic, could solve those terrible problems in which X--in algebra, the unknown quantity--represents the criminal.
a late time of life
From this reading M. Daburon was a man thirty-eight years of age, and of prepossessing appearance; sympathetic notwithstanding his coldness; wearing upon his countenance a sweet, and rather sad expression.
