adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading IN THE DINING-ROOM That was Saturday night, two weeks after the wreck.
Alison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
bagnounUS /bæɡ/
a flexible container with a single opening
From this reading Then—the discovery by the police of the seal-skin bag and the bit of chain; Hotchkiss producing triumphantly Stuart for Sullivan and his subsequent discomfiture; McKnight at the station with Alison, and later the confession that he was out of the running.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
bitnounUS /bɪt/
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading Then—the discovery by the police of the seal-skin bag and the bit of chain; Hotchkiss producing triumphantly Stuart for Sullivan and his subsequent discomfiture; McKnight at the station with Alison, and later the confession that he was out of the running.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Then—the discovery by the police of the seal-skin bag and the bit of chain; Hotchkiss producing triumphantly Stuart for Sullivan and his subsequent discomfiture; McKnight at the station with Alison, and later the confession that he was out of the running.
CarternounUS /ˈkɑːrtər/
Englishman and Egyptologist who in 1922 discovered and excavated the tomb of Tutankhamen (1873-1939)
From this reading In quick succession had come our visit to the Carter place, the finding of the rest of the telegram, my seeing Alison there, and the strange interview with Mrs. Conway.
casenounUS /keɪs/
an occurrence of something
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
chainnounUS /tʃeɪn/
a series of things depending on each other as if linked together
From this reading Then—the discovery by the police of the seal-skin bag and the bit of chain; Hotchkiss producing triumphantly Stuart for Sullivan and his subsequent discomfiture; McKnight at the station with Alison, and later the confession that he was out of the running.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading In quick succession had come our visit to the Carter place, the finding of the rest of the telegram, my seeing Alison there, and the strange interview with Mrs. Conway.
confessionnounUS /kənˈfeʃən/
an admission of misdeeds or faults
From this reading Then—the discovery by the police of the seal-skin bag and the bit of chain; Hotchkiss producing triumphantly Stuart for Sullivan and his subsequent discomfiture; McKnight at the station with Alison, and later the confession that he was out of the running.
Conway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In quick succession had come our visit to the Carter place, the finding of the rest of the telegram, my seeing Alison there, and the strange interview with Mrs. Conway.
CressonadjectiveUS /ˈkresən/
of a moderate yellow-green color that is greener and deeper than moss green and yellower and darker than pea green
From this reading The Cresson trip stood out in my memory for its serio-comic horrors and its one real thrill.
Dallases
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
DINING-ROOMnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading IN THE DINING-ROOM That was Saturday night, two weeks after the wreck.
dinnernounUS /ˈdɪnər/
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
discomfiturenoun
anxious embarrassment
From this reading Then—the discovery by the police of the seal-skin bag and the bit of chain; Hotchkiss producing triumphantly Stuart for Sullivan and his subsequent discomfiture; McKnight at the station with Alison, and later the confession that he was out of the running.
discoverynounUS /dɪˈskʌvəri/
the act of discovering something
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
doomedadjectiveUS /duːmd/
marked for certain death
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
eventsnounUS /ɪˈvents/
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
findingnounUS /ˈfaɪndɪŋ/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading In quick succession had come our visit to the Carter place, the finding of the rest of the telegram, my seeing Alison there, and the strange interview with Mrs. Conway.
fivenounUS /faɪv/
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Cresson trip stood out in my memory for its serio-comic horrors and its one real thrill.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
girlnounUS /ɡɜːrl/
a young female
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then—the discovery by the police of the seal-skin bag and the bit of chain; Hotchkiss producing triumphantly Stuart for Sullivan and his subsequent discomfiture; McKnight at the station with Alison, and later the confession that he was out of the running.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Then—the discovery by the police of the seal-skin bag and the bit of chain; Hotchkiss producing triumphantly Stuart for Sullivan and his subsequent discomfiture; McKnight at the station with Alison, and later the confession that he was out of the running.
horrorsnounUS /ˈhɔːrərz/
plural of “horror” — intense and profound fear
From this reading The Cresson trip stood out in my memory for its serio-comic horrors and its one real thrill.
Hotchkiss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then—the discovery by the police of the seal-skin bag and the bit of chain; Hotchkiss producing triumphantly Stuart for Sullivan and his subsequent discomfiture; McKnight at the station with Alison, and later the confession that he was out of the running.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE DINING-ROOM That was Saturday night, two weeks after the wreck.
interviewverbUS /ˈɪntərvjuː/
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading In quick succession had come our visit to the Carter place, the finding of the rest of the telegram, my seeing Alison there, and the strange interview with Mrs. Conway.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The Cresson trip stood out in my memory for its serio-comic horrors and its one real thrill.
lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Then—the discovery by the police of the seal-skin bag and the bit of chain; Hotchkiss producing triumphantly Stuart for Sullivan and his subsequent discomfiture; McKnight at the station with Alison, and later the confession that he was out of the running.
leapnounUS /liːp/
a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
McKnight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then—the discovery by the police of the seal-skin bag and the bit of chain; Hotchkiss producing triumphantly Stuart for Sullivan and his subsequent discomfiture; McKnight at the station with Alison, and later the confession that he was out of the running.
memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading The Cresson trip stood out in my memory for its serio-comic horrors and its one real thrill.
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading In quick succession had come our visit to the Carter place, the finding of the rest of the telegram, my seeing Alison there, and the strange interview with Mrs. Conway.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading In quick succession had come our visit to the Carter place, the finding of the rest of the telegram, my seeing Alison there, and the strange interview with Mrs. Conway.
nextadjectiveUS /nekst/
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading IN THE DINING-ROOM That was Saturday night, two weeks after the wreck.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The Cresson trip stood out in my memory for its serio-comic horrors and its one real thrill.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading In quick succession had come our visit to the Carter place, the finding of the rest of the telegram, my seeing Alison there, and the strange interview with Mrs. Conway.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The Cresson trip stood out in my memory for its serio-comic horrors and its one real thrill.
picturenounUS /ˈpɪktʃər/
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading In quick succession had come our visit to the Carter place, the finding of the rest of the telegram, my seeing Alison there, and the strange interview with Mrs. Conway.
policenounUS /pəˈliːs/
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading Then—the discovery by the police of the seal-skin bag and the bit of chain; Hotchkiss producing triumphantly Stuart for Sullivan and his subsequent discomfiture; McKnight at the station with Alison, and later the confession that he was out of the running.
previousadjectiveUS /ˈpriːviəs/
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
producingverbUS /prəˈduːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading Then—the discovery by the police of the seal-skin bag and the bit of chain; Hotchkiss producing triumphantly Stuart for Sullivan and his subsequent discomfiture; McKnight at the station with Alison, and later the confession that he was out of the running.
quickadjectiveUS /kwɪk/
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading In quick succession had come our visit to the Carter place, the finding of the rest of the telegram, my seeing Alison there, and the strange interview with Mrs. Conway.
realadjectiveUS /riːl/
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading The Cresson trip stood out in my memory for its serio-comic horrors and its one real thrill.
restverbUS /rest/
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading In quick succession had come our visit to the Carter place, the finding of the rest of the telegram, my seeing Alison there, and the strange interview with Mrs. Conway.
Richey's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
runningadjectiveUS /ˈrʌnɪŋ/
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading Then—the discovery by the police of the seal-skin bag and the bit of chain; Hotchkiss producing triumphantly Stuart for Sullivan and his subsequent discomfiture; McKnight at the station with Alison, and later the confession that he was out of the running.
SaturdaynounUS /ˈsætərdi/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading IN THE DINING-ROOM That was Saturday night, two weeks after the wreck.
seal-skin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then—the discovery by the police of the seal-skin bag and the bit of chain; Hotchkiss producing triumphantly Stuart for Sullivan and his subsequent discomfiture; McKnight at the station with Alison, and later the confession that he was out of the running.
seeingnounUS /ˈsiːɪŋ/
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading In quick succession had come our visit to the Carter place, the finding of the rest of the telegram, my seeing Alison there, and the strange interview with Mrs. Conway.
serio-comic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Cresson trip stood out in my memory for its serio-comic horrors and its one real thrill.
stationnounUS /ˈsteɪʃən/
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading Then—the discovery by the police of the seal-skin bag and the bit of chain; Hotchkiss producing triumphantly Stuart for Sullivan and his subsequent discomfiture; McKnight at the station with Alison, and later the confession that he was out of the running.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The Cresson trip stood out in my memory for its serio-comic horrors and its one real thrill.
strangeadjectiveUS /streɪndʒ/
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading In quick succession had come our visit to the Carter place, the finding of the rest of the telegram, my seeing Alison there, and the strange interview with Mrs. Conway.
StuartnounUS /ˈstuːərt/
United States painter best known for his portraits of George Washington (1755-1828)
From this reading Then—the discovery by the police of the seal-skin bag and the bit of chain; Hotchkiss producing triumphantly Stuart for Sullivan and his subsequent discomfiture; McKnight at the station with Alison, and later the confession that he was out of the running.
subsequentadjectiveUS /ˈsʌbsəkwənt/
following in time or order
From this reading Then—the discovery by the police of the seal-skin bag and the bit of chain; Hotchkiss producing triumphantly Stuart for Sullivan and his subsequent discomfiture; McKnight at the station with Alison, and later the confession that he was out of the running.
successionnounUS /səkˈseʃən/
a following of one thing after another in time
From this reading In quick succession had come our visit to the Carter place, the finding of the rest of the telegram, my seeing Alison there, and the strange interview with Mrs. Conway.
SullivannounUS /ˈsʌləvən/
United States architect known for his steel framed skyscrapers and for coining the phrase “form follows function” (1856-1924)
From this reading Then—the discovery by the police of the seal-skin bag and the bit of chain; Hotchkiss producing triumphantly Stuart for Sullivan and his subsequent discomfiture; McKnight at the station with Alison, and later the confession that he was out of the running.
swift-following
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
telegramnounUS /ˈteləɡræm/
a message transmitted by telegraph
From this reading In quick succession had come our visit to the Carter place, the finding of the rest of the telegram, my seeing Alison there, and the strange interview with Mrs. Conway.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading IN THE DINING-ROOM That was Saturday night, two weeks after the wreck.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE DINING-ROOM That was Saturday night, two weeks after the wreck.
theaternounUS /ˈθiːətər/
a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
ThenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then—the discovery by the police of the seal-skin bag and the bit of chain; Hotchkiss producing triumphantly Stuart for Sullivan and his subsequent discomfiture; McKnight at the station with Alison, and later the confession that he was out of the running.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading In quick succession had come our visit to the Carter place, the finding of the rest of the telegram, my seeing Alison there, and the strange interview with Mrs. Conway.
thrillnounUS /θrɪl/
the swift release of a store of affective force
From this reading The Cresson trip stood out in my memory for its serio-comic horrors and its one real thrill.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
trainverbUS /treɪn/
create by training and teaching
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
tripnounUS /trɪp/
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading The Cresson trip stood out in my memory for its serio-comic horrors and its one real thrill.
triumphantlyadverbUS /traɪˈʌmfəntli/
in a triumphant manner
From this reading Then—the discovery by the police of the seal-skin bag and the bit of chain; Hotchkiss producing triumphantly Stuart for Sullivan and his subsequent discomfiture; McKnight at the station with Alison, and later the confession that he was out of the running.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading IN THE DINING-ROOM That was Saturday night, two weeks after the wreck.
visitverbUS /ˈvɪzɪt/
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading In quick succession had come our visit to the Carter place, the finding of the rest of the telegram, my seeing Alison there, and the strange interview with Mrs. Conway.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN THE DINING-ROOM That was Saturday night, two weeks after the wreck.
weeksnounUS /wiːks/
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading IN THE DINING-ROOM That was Saturday night, two weeks after the wreck.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading In quick succession had come our visit to the Carter place, the finding of the rest of the telegram, my seeing Alison there, and the strange interview with Mrs. Conway.
womannounUS /ˈwʊmən/
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The previous five days had been full of swift-following events—the woman in the house next door, the picture in the theater of a man about to leap from the doomed train, the dinner at the Dallases’, and Richey’s discovery that Alison was the girl in the case.
wrecknounUS /rek/
something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation
From this reading IN THE DINING-ROOM That was Saturday night, two weeks after the wreck.
