Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

a tapering point

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

an aircraft that has a fixed wing and is powered by propellers or jets

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading You would have been astonished, I fancy, had you chanced upon us in the empty room at Chelsea on a certain Friday afternoon.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

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

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

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

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock

From this reading You would have been astonished, I fancy, had you chanced upon us in the empty room at Chelsea on a certain Friday afternoon.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading For political reasons nothing got into the papers at the time, but now there is no further need of secrecy.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading You would have been astonished, I fancy, had you chanced upon us in the empty room at Chelsea on a certain Friday afternoon.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

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

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading For political reasons nothing got into the papers at the time, but now there is no further need of secrecy.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading You would have been astonished, I fancy, had you chanced upon us in the empty room at Chelsea on a certain Friday afternoon.

past form of “chance” — be the case by chance

From this reading You would have been astonished, I fancy, had you chanced upon us in the empty room at Chelsea on a certain Friday afternoon.

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

From this reading You would have been astonished, I fancy, had you chanced upon us in the empty room at Chelsea on a certain Friday afternoon.

(physics) a brief event in which two or more bodies come together

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

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

From this reading No trio of sane persons could have looked more futile.

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

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

plural of “diagram” — a drawing intended to explain how something works; a drawing showing the relation between the parts

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

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

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading You would have been astonished, I fancy, had you chanced upon us in the empty room at Chelsea on a certain Friday afternoon.

something many people believe that is false

From this reading You would have been astonished, I fancy, had you chanced upon us in the empty room at Chelsea on a certain Friday afternoon.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For political reasons nothing got into the papers at the time, but now there is no further need of secrecy.

the sixth day of the week; the fifth working day

From this reading You would have been astonished, I fancy, had you chanced upon us in the empty room at Chelsea on a certain Friday afternoon.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading For political reasons nothing got into the papers at the time, but now there is no further need of secrecy.

producing no result or effect

From this reading No trio of sane persons could have looked more futile.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading For political reasons nothing got into the papers at the time, but now there is no further need of secrecy.

the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

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

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading You would have been astonished, I fancy, had you chanced upon us in the empty room at Chelsea on a certain Friday afternoon.

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

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

-ing form of “hope” — expect and wish

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading You would have been astonished, I fancy, had you chanced upon us in the empty room at Chelsea on a certain Friday afternoon.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

of great significance or value

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

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

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

a search for knowledge

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading For political reasons nothing got into the papers at the time, but now there is no further need of secrecy.

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

From this reading For political reasons nothing got into the papers at the time, but now there is no further need of secrecy.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading No trio of sane persons could have looked more futile.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading No trio of sane persons could have looked more futile.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

a condition requiring relief

From this reading For political reasons nothing got into the papers at the time, but now there is no further need of secrecy.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

not any; not one

From this reading For political reasons nothing got into the papers at the time, but now there is no further need of secrecy.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading For political reasons nothing got into the papers at the time, but now there is no further need of secrecy.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading For political reasons nothing got into the papers at the time, but now there is no further need of secrecy.

not divisible by two

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

a number of sheets of paper fastened together along one edge

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading For political reasons nothing got into the papers at the time, but now there is no further need of secrecy.

plural of “person” — a human being

From this reading No trio of sane persons could have looked more futile.

a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians

From this reading For political reasons nothing got into the papers at the time, but now there is no further need of secrecy.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

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

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading For political reasons nothing got into the papers at the time, but now there is no further need of secrecy.

represented accurately or precisely

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading You would have been astonished, I fancy, had you chanced upon us in the empty room at Chelsea on a certain Friday afternoon.

mentally healthy; free from mental disorder

From this reading No trio of sane persons could have looked more futile.

the trait of keeping things secret

From this reading For political reasons nothing got into the papers at the time, but now there is no further need of secrecy.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

finding a solution to a problem

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

inflected form of “steal” — take without the owner's consent

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

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

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

in or at that place or location

From this reading For political reasons nothing got into the papers at the time, but now there is no further need of secrecy.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading For political reasons nothing got into the papers at the time, but now there is no further need of secrecy.

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

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading No trio of sane persons could have looked more futile.

the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

not known or well known

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading You would have been astonished, I fancy, had you chanced upon us in the empty room at Chelsea on a certain Friday afternoon.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading You would have been astonished, I fancy, had you chanced upon us in the empty room at Chelsea on a certain Friday afternoon.

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

From this reading THE STOLEN AEROPLANE MODEL It was probably on account of the acumen he had shown in solving the mystery of Arthur Bridwell's death that the government employed Quarles in the important inquiry concerning a stolen model.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.

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

From this reading You would have been astonished, I fancy, had you chanced upon us in the empty room at Chelsea on a certain Friday afternoon.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You would have been astonished, I fancy, had you chanced upon us in the empty room at Chelsea on a certain Friday afternoon.

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

From this reading On a paper pad the professor was making odd diagrams which might have represented a cubist's idea of an aeroplane collision; Zena was looking at her hands as if she had discovered something new and unfamiliar about them; and I was turning the leaves of my pocket book, hoping to get an inspiration.