Chapter XII · Chapter 12

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Mr. Flexen sat pondering this question of a third person for a good twenty minutes.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading He was quite sure that if Dr. Thornhill had been able to swear that the wound was not self-inflicted, he could have secured the conviction of Hutchings.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading There would be no reason to shield Hutchings unless they had instigated or employed him to commit the murder, and that was out of the question.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading He was not sure, indeed, that Hutchings was not the murderer; the snores and the knife were as likely to have excited the murderous impulse in him as in them.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading It could not be Hutchings.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He was quite sure that if Dr. Thornhill had been able to swear that the wound was not self-inflicted, he could have secured the conviction of Hutchings.

perform an act, usually with a negative connotation

From this reading There would be no reason to shield Hutchings unless they had instigated or employed him to commit the murder, and that was out of the question.

an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence

From this reading He was quite sure that if Dr. Thornhill had been able to swear that the wound was not self-inflicted, he could have secured the conviction of Hutchings.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading It could not be Hutchings.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was quite sure that if Dr. Thornhill had been able to swear that the wound was not self-inflicted, he could have secured the conviction of Hutchings.

having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary

From this reading There would be no reason to shield Hutchings unless they had instigated or employed him to commit the murder, and that was out of the question.

(of persons) excessively affected by emotion

From this reading He was not sure, indeed, that Hutchings was not the murderer; the snores and the knife were as likely to have excited the murderous impulse in him as in them.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mr. Flexen sat pondering this question of a third person for a good twenty minutes.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Mr. Flexen sat pondering this question of a third person for a good twenty minutes.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Mr. Flexen sat pondering this question of a third person for a good twenty minutes.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading There would be no reason to shield Hutchings unless they had instigated or employed him to commit the murder, and that was out of the question.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He was not sure, indeed, that Hutchings was not the murderer; the snores and the knife were as likely to have excited the murderous impulse in him as in them.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He was not sure, indeed, that Hutchings was not the murderer; the snores and the knife were as likely to have excited the murderous impulse in him as in them.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading There would be no reason to shield Hutchings unless they had instigated or employed him to commit the murder, and that was out of the question.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It could not be Hutchings.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He was quite sure that if Dr. Thornhill had been able to swear that the wound was not self-inflicted, he could have secured the conviction of Hutchings.

an instinctive motive

From this reading He was not sure, indeed, that Hutchings was not the murderer; the snores and the knife were as likely to have excited the murderous impulse in him as in them.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading He was not sure, indeed, that Hutchings was not the murderer; the snores and the knife were as likely to have excited the murderous impulse in him as in them.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading He was not sure, indeed, that Hutchings was not the murderer; the snores and the knife were as likely to have excited the murderous impulse in him as in them.

past form of “instigate” — provoke or stir up

From this reading There would be no reason to shield Hutchings unless they had instigated or employed him to commit the murder, and that was out of the question.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It could not be Hutchings.

edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle

From this reading He was not sure, indeed, that Hutchings was not the murderer; the snores and the knife were as likely to have excited the murderous impulse in him as in them.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading He was not sure, indeed, that Hutchings was not the murderer; the snores and the knife were as likely to have excited the murderous impulse in him as in them.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading Mr. Flexen sat pondering this question of a third person for a good twenty minutes.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. Flexen sat pondering this question of a third person for a good twenty minutes.

kill intentionally and with premeditation

From this reading There would be no reason to shield Hutchings unless they had instigated or employed him to commit the murder, and that was out of the question.

a criminal who commits homicide (who performs the unlawful premeditated killing of another human being)

From this reading He was not sure, indeed, that Hutchings was not the murderer; the snores and the knife were as likely to have excited the murderous impulse in him as in them.

characteristic of or capable of or having a tendency toward killing another human being

From this reading He was not sure, indeed, that Hutchings was not the murderer; the snores and the knife were as likely to have excited the murderous impulse in him as in them.

not any; not one

From this reading There would be no reason to shield Hutchings unless they had instigated or employed him to commit the murder, and that was out of the question.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It could not be Hutchings.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mr. Flexen sat pondering this question of a third person for a good twenty minutes.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading There would be no reason to shield Hutchings unless they had instigated or employed him to commit the murder, and that was out of the question.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading There would be no reason to shield Hutchings unless they had instigated or employed him to commit the murder, and that was out of the question.

a human being

From this reading Mr. Flexen sat pondering this question of a third person for a good twenty minutes.

deeply or seriously thoughtful

From this reading Mr. Flexen sat pondering this question of a third person for a good twenty minutes.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading Mr. Flexen sat pondering this question of a third person for a good twenty minutes.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading He was quite sure that if Dr. Thornhill had been able to swear that the wound was not self-inflicted, he could have secured the conviction of Hutchings.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading There would be no reason to shield Hutchings unless they had instigated or employed him to commit the murder, and that was out of the question.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Mr. Flexen sat pondering this question of a third person for a good twenty minutes.

past form of “secure” — get by special effort

From this reading He was quite sure that if Dr. Thornhill had been able to swear that the wound was not self-inflicted, he could have secured the conviction of Hutchings.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was quite sure that if Dr. Thornhill had been able to swear that the wound was not self-inflicted, he could have secured the conviction of Hutchings.

a protective covering or structure

From this reading There would be no reason to shield Hutchings unless they had instigated or employed him to commit the murder, and that was out of the question.

plural of “snore” — the rattling noise produced when snoring

From this reading He was not sure, indeed, that Hutchings was not the murderer; the snores and the knife were as likely to have excited the murderous impulse in him as in them.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading He was not sure, indeed, that Hutchings was not the murderer; the snores and the knife were as likely to have excited the murderous impulse in him as in them.

utter obscenities or profanities

From this reading He was quite sure that if Dr. Thornhill had been able to swear that the wound was not self-inflicted, he could have secured the conviction of Hutchings.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There would be no reason to shield Hutchings unless they had instigated or employed him to commit the murder, and that was out of the question.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading There would be no reason to shield Hutchings unless they had instigated or employed him to commit the murder, and that was out of the question.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He was not sure, indeed, that Hutchings was not the murderer; the snores and the knife were as likely to have excited the murderous impulse in him as in them.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There would be no reason to shield Hutchings unless they had instigated or employed him to commit the murder, and that was out of the question.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading There would be no reason to shield Hutchings unless they had instigated or employed him to commit the murder, and that was out of the question.

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading Mr. Flexen sat pondering this question of a third person for a good twenty minutes.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Mr. Flexen sat pondering this question of a third person for a good twenty minutes.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was quite sure that if Dr. Thornhill had been able to swear that the wound was not self-inflicted, he could have secured the conviction of Hutchings.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading There would be no reason to shield Hutchings unless they had instigated or employed him to commit the murder, and that was out of the question.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading Mr. Flexen sat pondering this question of a third person for a good twenty minutes.

except if; if not

From this reading There would be no reason to shield Hutchings unless they had instigated or employed him to commit the murder, and that was out of the question.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading There would be no reason to shield Hutchings unless they had instigated or employed him to commit the murder, and that was out of the question.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading He was not sure, indeed, that Hutchings was not the murderer; the snores and the knife were as likely to have excited the murderous impulse in him as in them.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading There would be no reason to shield Hutchings unless they had instigated or employed him to commit the murder, and that was out of the question.

an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)

From this reading He was quite sure that if Dr. Thornhill had been able to swear that the wound was not self-inflicted, he could have secured the conviction of Hutchings.