used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading As near as he could reckon by the faint clews vouchsafed him, the print was less than an hour and more than a half hour old.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading A light dusting of wind-blown drift had begun to form in the trampled depression, and instead of crumbling there now was a slight banking up around the edges.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As near as he could reckon by the faint clews vouchsafed him, the print was less than an hour and more than a half hour old.
bankingnounUS /ˈbæŋkɪŋ/
engaging in the business of keeping money for savings and checking accounts or for exchange or for issuing loans and credit etc.
From this reading A light dusting of wind-blown drift had begun to form in the trampled depression, and instead of crumbling there now was a slight banking up around the edges.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading So this woman, whoever she was, had evidently been there when the murders were committed.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading A light dusting of wind-blown drift had begun to form in the trampled depression, and instead of crumbling there now was a slight banking up around the edges.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As near as he could reckon by the faint clews vouchsafed him, the print was less than an hour and more than a half hour old.
clewsnounUS /kluːz/
the cords used to suspend a hammock
From this reading As near as he could reckon by the faint clews vouchsafed him, the print was less than an hour and more than a half hour old.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude
From this reading So this woman, whoever she was, had evidently been there when the murders were committed.
concentrationnounUS /ˌkɑːnsənˈtreɪʃən/
the strength of a solution; number of molecules of a substance in a given volume
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As near as he could reckon by the faint clews vouchsafed him, the print was less than an hour and more than a half hour old.
crumblingverbUS /ˈkrʌmbəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “crumble” — fall apart
From this reading A light dusting of wind-blown drift had begun to form in the trampled depression, and instead of crumbling there now was a slight banking up around the edges.
depressionnounUS /dɪˈpreʃən/
a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity
From this reading A light dusting of wind-blown drift had begun to form in the trampled depression, and instead of crumbling there now was a slight banking up around the edges.
DexteradjectiveUS /ˈdekstər/
on or starting from the wearer's right
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
driftverbUS /drɪft/
be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading A light dusting of wind-blown drift had begun to form in the trampled depression, and instead of crumbling there now was a slight banking up around the edges.
dustingverbUS /ˈdʌstɪŋ/
-ing form of “dust” — remove the dust from
From this reading A light dusting of wind-blown drift had begun to form in the trampled depression, and instead of crumbling there now was a slight banking up around the edges.
edgesnounUS /ˈedʒəz/
plural of “edge” — the boundary of a surface
From this reading A light dusting of wind-blown drift had begun to form in the trampled depression, and instead of crumbling there now was a slight banking up around the edges.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading So this woman, whoever she was, had evidently been there when the murders were committed.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading As near as he could reckon by the faint clews vouchsafed him, the print was less than an hour and more than a half hour old.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The officer's mouth was set in a harsh line as he scrambled to his feet.
fine-lettered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading A light dusting of wind-blown drift had begun to form in the trampled depression, and instead of crumbling there now was a slight banking up around the edges.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A light dusting of wind-blown drift had begun to form in the trampled depression, and instead of crumbling there now was a slight banking up around the edges.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading As near as he could reckon by the faint clews vouchsafed him, the print was less than an hour and more than a half hour old.
harshadjectiveUS /hɑːrʃ/
unpleasantly stern
From this reading The officer's mouth was set in a harsh line as he scrambled to his feet.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As near as he could reckon by the faint clews vouchsafed him, the print was less than an hour and more than a half hour old.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading As near as he could reckon by the faint clews vouchsafed him, the print was less than an hour and more than a half hour old.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading A light dusting of wind-blown drift had begun to form in the trampled depression, and instead of crumbling there now was a slight banking up around the edges.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading As near as he could reckon by the faint clews vouchsafed him, the print was less than an hour and more than a half hour old.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading A light dusting of wind-blown drift had begun to form in the trampled depression, and instead of crumbling there now was a slight banking up around the edges.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading The officer's mouth was set in a harsh line as he scrambled to his feet.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
a particular point in time
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading As near as he could reckon by the faint clews vouchsafed him, the print was less than an hour and more than a half hour old.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading The officer's mouth was set in a harsh line as he scrambled to his feet.
murdersnounUS /ˈmɜːrdərz/
plural of “murder” — unlawful premeditated killing of a human being by a human being
From this reading So this woman, whoever she was, had evidently been there when the murders were committed.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading As near as he could reckon by the faint clews vouchsafed him, the print was less than an hour and more than a half hour old.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading A light dusting of wind-blown drift had begun to form in the trampled depression, and instead of crumbling there now was a slight banking up around the edges.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
officer'snounUS /ˈɔːfɪsərz/
possessive form of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading The officer's mouth was set in a harsh line as he scrambled to his feet.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading As near as he could reckon by the faint clews vouchsafed him, the print was less than an hour and more than a half hour old.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
peeringverbUS /ˈpiːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
printnounUS /prɪnt/
the text appearing in a book, newspaper, or other printed publication
From this reading As near as he could reckon by the faint clews vouchsafed him, the print was less than an hour and more than a half hour old.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading As near as he could reckon by the faint clews vouchsafed him, the print was less than an hour and more than a half hour old.
scrambledadjectiveUS /ˈskræmbəld/
thrown together in a disorderly fashion
From this reading The officer's mouth was set in a harsh line as he scrambled to his feet.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The officer's mouth was set in a harsh line as he scrambled to his feet.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So this woman, whoever she was, had evidently been there when the murders were committed.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading A light dusting of wind-blown drift had begun to form in the trampled depression, and instead of crumbling there now was a slight banking up around the edges.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So this woman, whoever she was, had evidently been there when the murders were committed.
produced or marked by conscious design or premeditation
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading As near as he could reckon by the faint clews vouchsafed him, the print was less than an hour and more than a half hour old.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A light dusting of wind-blown drift had begun to form in the trampled depression, and instead of crumbling there now was a slight banking up around the edges.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading So this woman, whoever she was, had evidently been there when the murders were committed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
trampledverbUS /ˈtræmpəld/
past form of “trample” — tread or stomp heavily or roughly
From this reading A light dusting of wind-blown drift had begun to form in the trampled depression, and instead of crumbling there now was a slight banking up around the edges.
hard to endure
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
a subdivision of a particular kind of thing
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A light dusting of wind-blown drift had begun to form in the trampled depression, and instead of crumbling there now was a slight banking up around the edges.
vouchsafed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As near as he could reckon by the faint clews vouchsafed him, the print was less than an hour and more than a half hour old.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading So this woman, whoever she was, had evidently been there when the murders were committed.
at the time that
From this reading So this woman, whoever she was, had evidently been there when the murders were committed.
whoever
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So this woman, whoever she was, had evidently been there when the murders were committed.
wind-blown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A light dusting of wind-blown drift had begun to form in the trampled depression, and instead of crumbling there now was a slight banking up around the edges.
in the company of; together with
From this reading SHADOWS OF SILENCE In a moment Dexter was on his knees, with his face close to the ground, and he studied the marks in the snow with the peering concentration of a man trying to read a page of fine-lettered type.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading So this woman, whoever she was, had evidently been there when the murders were committed.
