Chapter XXI

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

From this reading Roger Plays a Lone Hand It was some minutes before Roger would agree to abandon, once and for all time, his cherished theory of suicide.

forsake, leave behind

From this reading Roger Plays a Lone Hand It was some minutes before Roger would agree to abandon, once and for all time, his cherished theory of suicide.

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

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

later than; following

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

be in accord; be in agreement

From this reading Roger Plays a Lone Hand It was some minutes before Roger would agree to abandon, once and for all time, his cherished theory of suicide.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Roger Plays a Lone Hand It was some minutes before Roger would agree to abandon, once and for all time, his cherished theory of suicide.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

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

From this reading “But you don’t think he was under the impression that aconitine was a narcotic and that he could smoke it like opium and so have an easy passage?” he suggested as a final gleam of hope.

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

From this reading Roger Plays a Lone Hand It was some minutes before Roger would agree to abandon, once and for all time, his cherished theory of suicide.

plural of “appearance” — outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading Suicide had smoothed all difficulties away; suicide had explained both deaths in the simplest possible terms, reduced them to a common denominator; in spite of superficial appearances surely in some way it _must_ be suicide.

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

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Suicide had smoothed all difficulties away; suicide had explained both deaths in the simplest possible terms, reduced them to a common denominator; in spite of superficial appearances surely in some way it _must_ be suicide.

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

From this reading Suicide had smoothed all difficulties away; suicide had explained both deaths in the simplest possible terms, reduced them to a common denominator; in spite of superficial appearances surely in some way it _must_ be suicide.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Roger Plays a Lone Hand It was some minutes before Roger would agree to abandon, once and for all time, his cherished theory of suicide.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Suicide had smoothed all difficulties away; suicide had explained both deaths in the simplest possible terms, reduced them to a common denominator; in spite of superficial appearances surely in some way it _must_ be suicide.

in a brisk manner

From this reading “I do not,” said the inspector, briskly extinguishing the gleam.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “But you don’t think he was under the impression that aconitine was a narcotic and that he could smoke it like opium and so have an easy passage?” he suggested as a final gleam of hope.

characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for

From this reading Roger Plays a Lone Hand It was some minutes before Roger would agree to abandon, once and for all time, his cherished theory of suicide.

pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading Suicide had smoothed all difficulties away; suicide had explained both deaths in the simplest possible terms, reduced them to a common denominator; in spite of superficial appearances surely in some way it _must_ be suicide.

a person who uses goods or services

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

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

From this reading “But you don’t think he was under the impression that aconitine was a narcotic and that he could smoke it like opium and so have an easy passage?” he suggested as a final gleam of hope.

plural of “death” — the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading Suicide had smoothed all difficulties away; suicide had explained both deaths in the simplest possible terms, reduced them to a common denominator; in spite of superficial appearances surely in some way it _must_ be suicide.

the divisor of a fraction

From this reading Suicide had smoothed all difficulties away; suicide had explained both deaths in the simplest possible terms, reduced them to a common denominator; in spite of superficial appearances surely in some way it _must_ be suicide.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

plural of “difficulty” — an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading Suicide had smoothed all difficulties away; suicide had explained both deaths in the simplest possible terms, reduced them to a common denominator; in spite of superficial appearances surely in some way it _must_ be suicide.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “I do not,” said the inspector, briskly extinguishing the gleam.

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

From this reading “But you don’t think he was under the impression that aconitine was a narcotic and that he could smoke it like opium and so have an easy passage?” he suggested as a final gleam of hope.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading “But you don’t think he was under the impression that aconitine was a narcotic and that he could smoke it like opium and so have an easy passage?” he suggested as a final gleam of hope.

past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading Suicide had smoothed all difficulties away; suicide had explained both deaths in the simplest possible terms, reduced them to a common denominator; in spite of superficial appearances surely in some way it _must_ be suicide.

the act of extinguishing; causing to stop burning

From this reading “I do not,” said the inspector, briskly extinguishing the gleam.

occurring at or forming an end or termination

From this reading “But you don’t think he was under the impression that aconitine was a narcotic and that he could smoke it like opium and so have an easy passage?” he suggested as a final gleam of hope.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Roger Plays a Lone Hand It was some minutes before Roger would agree to abandon, once and for all time, his cherished theory of suicide.

be shiny, as if wet

From this reading “But you don’t think he was under the impression that aconitine was a narcotic and that he could smoke it like opium and so have an easy passage?” he suggested as a final gleam of hope.

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

From this reading Suicide had smoothed all difficulties away; suicide had explained both deaths in the simplest possible terms, reduced them to a common denominator; in spite of superficial appearances surely in some way it _must_ be suicide.

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

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Roger Plays a Lone Hand It was some minutes before Roger would agree to abandon, once and for all time, his cherished theory of suicide.

be suspended or hanging

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “But you don’t think he was under the impression that aconitine was a narcotic and that he could smoke it like opium and so have an easy passage?” he suggested as a final gleam of hope.

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

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Roger Plays a Lone Hand It was some minutes before Roger would agree to abandon, once and for all time, his cherished theory of suicide.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading “But you don’t think he was under the impression that aconitine was a narcotic and that he could smoke it like opium and so have an easy passage?” he suggested as a final gleam of hope.

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

From this reading “I do not,” said the inspector, briskly extinguishing the gleam.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

the act of consuming liquids

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading “But you don’t think he was under the impression that aconitine was a narcotic and that he could smoke it like opium and so have an easy passage?” he suggested as a final gleam of hope.

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

From this reading Suicide had smoothed all difficulties away; suicide had explained both deaths in the simplest possible terms, reduced them to a common denominator; in spite of superficial appearances surely in some way it _must_ be suicide.

a high ranking police officer

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Roger Plays a Lone Hand It was some minutes before Roger would agree to abandon, once and for all time, his cherished theory of suicide.

immediately past

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading “But you don’t think he was under the impression that aconitine was a narcotic and that he could smoke it like opium and so have an easy passage?” he suggested as a final gleam of hope.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading Roger Plays a Lone Hand It was some minutes before Roger would agree to abandon, once and for all time, his cherished theory of suicide.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading Roger Plays a Lone Hand It was some minutes before Roger would agree to abandon, once and for all time, his cherished theory of suicide.

killed unlawfully

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Suicide had smoothed all difficulties away; suicide had explained both deaths in the simplest possible terms, reduced them to a common denominator; in spite of superficial appearances surely in some way it _must_ be suicide.

of or relating to or designating narcotics

From this reading “But you don’t think he was under the impression that aconitine was a narcotic and that he could smoke it like opium and so have an easy passage?” he suggested as a final gleam of hope.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Roger Plays a Lone Hand It was some minutes before Roger would agree to abandon, once and for all time, his cherished theory of suicide.

on one occasion

From this reading Roger Plays a Lone Hand It was some minutes before Roger would agree to abandon, once and for all time, his cherished theory of suicide.

an addictive narcotic extracted from seed capsules of the opium poppy

From this reading “But you don’t think he was under the impression that aconitine was a narcotic and that he could smoke it like opium and so have an easy passage?” he suggested as a final gleam of hope.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading “But you don’t think he was under the impression that aconitine was a narcotic and that he could smoke it like opium and so have an easy passage?” he suggested as a final gleam of hope.

with patience; in a patient manner

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading Roger Plays a Lone Hand It was some minutes before Roger would agree to abandon, once and for all time, his cherished theory of suicide.

having a point

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

spoil as if by poison

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading Suicide had smoothed all difficulties away; suicide had explained both deaths in the simplest possible terms, reduced them to a common denominator; in spite of superficial appearances surely in some way it _must_ be suicide.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

made less in size or amount or degree

From this reading Suicide had smoothed all difficulties away; suicide had explained both deaths in the simplest possible terms, reduced them to a common denominator; in spite of superficial appearances surely in some way it _must_ be suicide.

with reluctance

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

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

From this reading Roger Plays a Lone Hand It was some minutes before Roger would agree to abandon, once and for all time, his cherished theory of suicide.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “I do not,” said the inspector, briskly extinguishing the gleam.

superlative of “simple” — having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading Suicide had smoothed all difficulties away; suicide had explained both deaths in the simplest possible terms, reduced them to a common denominator; in spite of superficial appearances surely in some way it _must_ be suicide.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading “But you don’t think he was under the impression that aconitine was a narcotic and that he could smoke it like opium and so have an easy passage?” he suggested as a final gleam of hope.

made smooth by ironing

From this reading Suicide had smoothed all difficulties away; suicide had explained both deaths in the simplest possible terms, reduced them to a common denominator; in spite of superficial appearances surely in some way it _must_ be suicide.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading “But you don’t think he was under the impression that aconitine was a narcotic and that he could smoke it like opium and so have an easy passage?” he suggested as a final gleam of hope.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Roger Plays a Lone Hand It was some minutes before Roger would agree to abandon, once and for all time, his cherished theory of suicide.

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading Suicide had smoothed all difficulties away; suicide had explained both deaths in the simplest possible terms, reduced them to a common denominator; in spite of superficial appearances surely in some way it _must_ be suicide.

(linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

a following of one thing after another in time

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading “But you don’t think he was under the impression that aconitine was a narcotic and that he could smoke it like opium and so have an easy passage?” he suggested as a final gleam of hope.

the act of killing yourself

From this reading Roger Plays a Lone Hand It was some minutes before Roger would agree to abandon, once and for all time, his cherished theory of suicide.

concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious; not deep or penetrating emotionally or intellectually

From this reading Suicide had smoothed all difficulties away; suicide had explained both deaths in the simplest possible terms, reduced them to a common denominator; in spite of superficial appearances surely in some way it _must_ be suicide.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading Suicide had smoothed all difficulties away; suicide had explained both deaths in the simplest possible terms, reduced them to a common denominator; in spite of superficial appearances surely in some way it _must_ be suicide.

status with respect to the relations between people or groups

From this reading Suicide had smoothed all difficulties away; suicide had explained both deaths in the simplest possible terms, reduced them to a common denominator; in spite of superficial appearances surely in some way it _must_ be suicide.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

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

From this reading Suicide had smoothed all difficulties away; suicide had explained both deaths in the simplest possible terms, reduced them to a common denominator; in spite of superficial appearances surely in some way it _must_ be suicide.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Suicide had smoothed all difficulties away; suicide had explained both deaths in the simplest possible terms, reduced them to a common denominator; in spite of superficial appearances surely in some way it _must_ be suicide.

a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena

From this reading Roger Plays a Lone Hand It was some minutes before Roger would agree to abandon, once and for all time, his cherished theory of suicide.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading “But you don’t think he was under the impression that aconitine was a narcotic and that he could smoke it like opium and so have an easy passage?” he suggested as a final gleam of hope.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Roger Plays a Lone Hand It was some minutes before Roger would agree to abandon, once and for all time, his cherished theory of suicide.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

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

From this reading Roger Plays a Lone Hand It was some minutes before Roger would agree to abandon, once and for all time, his cherished theory of suicide.

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

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “But you don’t think he was under the impression that aconitine was a narcotic and that he could smoke it like opium and so have an easy passage?” he suggested as a final gleam of hope.

up to a particular time

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

precisely as stated

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

of your own free will or design; done by choice; not forced or compelled

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

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

From this reading Roger Plays a Lone Hand It was some minutes before Roger would agree to abandon, once and for all time, his cherished theory of suicide.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Suicide had smoothed all difficulties away; suicide had explained both deaths in the simplest possible terms, reduced them to a common denominator; in spite of superficial appearances surely in some way it _must_ be suicide.

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

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

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

From this reading Roger Plays a Lone Hand It was some minutes before Roger would agree to abandon, once and for all time, his cherished theory of suicide.

an affirmative

From this reading Not until the inspector had patiently, and for half-a-dozen times in succession, pointed out that the very last place in which a voluntary consumer of aconitine would put the poison was among the contents of his tobacco-jar, and the very last way he would choose of imbibing it was through the stem of his pipe, did Roger reluctantly admit that, hang it! yes, it really did begin to look as if the man had been murdered after all.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “But you don’t think he was under the impression that aconitine was a narcotic and that he could smoke it like opium and so have an easy passage?” he suggested as a final gleam of hope.