used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Inspector Moresby Is Humorous It is not an easy exercise in hospitality to entertain a guest who has just announced that he is a double murderer.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Inspector Moresby Is Humorous It is not an easy exercise in hospitality to entertain a guest who has just announced that he is a double murderer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading Inspector Moresby Is Humorous It is not an easy exercise in hospitality to entertain a guest who has just announced that he is a double murderer.
anticlimaxnoun
a disappointing decline after a previous rise
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading On the whole it is difficult to see how the situation (should it ever occur to the reader) could be better handled than it was by Roger.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading On the whole it is difficult to see how the situation (should it ever occur to the reader) could be better handled than it was by Roger.
cheerionounUS /ˈtʃɪrioʊ/
a farewell remark
From this reading “Well, well!—er—cheerio!”
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading On the whole it is difficult to see how the situation (should it ever occur to the reader) could be better handled than it was by Roger.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
true confidential information
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
Didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading “Did you really?” observed that gentleman politely, pulling himself together with an effort as the three tankards preceded the landlord into the room.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading On the whole it is difficult to see how the situation (should it ever occur to the reader) could be better handled than it was by Roger.
displaynounUS /dɪˈspleɪ/
something intended to communicate a particular impression
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
increase twofold
From this reading Inspector Moresby Is Humorous It is not an easy exercise in hospitality to entertain a guest who has just announced that he is a double murderer.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading Inspector Moresby Is Humorous It is not an easy exercise in hospitality to entertain a guest who has just announced that he is a double murderer.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading “Did you really?” observed that gentleman politely, pulling himself together with an effort as the three tankards preceded the landlord into the room.
entertainverbUS /ˌentərˈteɪn/
provide entertainment for
From this reading Inspector Moresby Is Humorous It is not an easy exercise in hospitality to entertain a guest who has just announced that he is a double murderer.
a trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; occurs with yttrium
From this reading “Well, well!—er—cheerio!”
at any time
From this reading On the whole it is difficult to see how the situation (should it ever occur to the reader) could be better handled than it was by Roger.
the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit
From this reading Inspector Moresby Is Humorous It is not an easy exercise in hospitality to entertain a guest who has just announced that he is a double murderer.
a man of refinement
From this reading “Did you really?” observed that gentleman politely, pulling himself together with an effort as the three tankards preceded the landlord into the room.
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Inspector Moresby Is Humorous It is not an easy exercise in hospitality to entertain a guest who has just announced that he is a double murderer.
handledadjectiveUS /ˈhændəld/
having a usually specified type of handle
From this reading On the whole it is difficult to see how the situation (should it ever occur to the reader) could be better handled than it was by Roger.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Inspector Moresby Is Humorous It is not an easy exercise in hospitality to entertain a guest who has just announced that he is a double murderer.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Inspector Moresby Is Humorous It is not an easy exercise in hospitality to entertain a guest who has just announced that he is a double murderer.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “Did you really?” observed that gentleman politely, pulling himself together with an effort as the three tankards preceded the landlord into the room.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
hobbynounUS /ˈhɑːbi/
an auxiliary activity
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
hospitalitynounUS /ˌhɑːspəˈtæləti/
kindness in welcoming guests or strangers
From this reading Inspector Moresby Is Humorous It is not an easy exercise in hospitality to entertain a guest who has just announced that he is a double murderer.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the whole it is difficult to see how the situation (should it ever occur to the reader) could be better handled than it was by Roger.
HumorousadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmərəs/
full of or characterized by humor
From this reading Inspector Moresby Is Humorous It is not an easy exercise in hospitality to entertain a guest who has just announced that he is a double murderer.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Inspector Moresby Is Humorous It is not an easy exercise in hospitality to entertain a guest who has just announced that he is a double murderer.
indecentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdiːsənt/
not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
InspectornounUS /ˌɪnˈspektər/
a high ranking police officer
From this reading Inspector Moresby Is Humorous It is not an easy exercise in hospitality to entertain a guest who has just announced that he is a double murderer.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading “Did you really?” observed that gentleman politely, pulling himself together with an effort as the three tankards preceded the landlord into the room.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Inspector Moresby Is Humorous It is not an easy exercise in hospitality to entertain a guest who has just announced that he is a double murderer.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Inspector Moresby Is Humorous It is not an easy exercise in hospitality to entertain a guest who has just announced that he is a double murderer.
and nothing more
From this reading Inspector Moresby Is Humorous It is not an easy exercise in hospitality to entertain a guest who has just announced that he is a double murderer.
landlordnounUS /ˈlændlɔːrd/
a landowner who leases to others
From this reading “Did you really?” observed that gentleman politely, pulling himself together with an effort as the three tankards preceded the landlord into the room.
latestadjectiveUS /ˈleɪtəst/
up to the immediate present; most recent or most up-to-date
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
misconstruedverbUS /ˌmɪskənˈstruːd/
past form of “misconstrue” — interpret in the wrong way
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
Moresby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Inspector Moresby Is Humorous It is not an easy exercise in hospitality to entertain a guest who has just announced that he is a double murderer.
murderernounUS /ˈmɜːrdərər/
a criminal who commits homicide (who performs the unlawful premeditated killing of another human being)
From this reading Inspector Moresby Is Humorous It is not an easy exercise in hospitality to entertain a guest who has just announced that he is a double murderer.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Inspector Moresby Is Humorous It is not an easy exercise in hospitality to entertain a guest who has just announced that he is a double murderer.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading “Did you really?” observed that gentleman politely, pulling himself together with an effort as the three tankards preceded the landlord into the room.
occurverbUS /əˈkɜːr/
come to pass
From this reading On the whole it is difficult to see how the situation (should it ever occur to the reader) could be better handled than it was by Roger.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the whole it is difficult to see how the situation (should it ever occur to the reader) could be better handled than it was by Roger.
politeadjectiveUS /pəˈlaɪt/
showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
politelyadverbUS /pəˈlaɪtli/
in a polite manner
From this reading “Did you really?” observed that gentleman politely, pulling himself together with an effort as the three tankards preceded the landlord into the room.
precededverbUS /prɪˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “precede” — be earlier in time; go back further
From this reading “Did you really?” observed that gentleman politely, pulling himself together with an effort as the three tankards preceded the landlord into the room.
the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you
From this reading “Did you really?” observed that gentleman politely, pulling himself together with an effort as the three tankards preceded the landlord into the room.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading On the whole it is difficult to see how the situation (should it ever occur to the reader) could be better handled than it was by Roger.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading “Did you really?” observed that gentleman politely, pulling himself together with an effort as the three tankards preceded the landlord into the room.
Roger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the whole it is difficult to see how the situation (should it ever occur to the reader) could be better handled than it was by Roger.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading “Did you really?” observed that gentleman politely, pulling himself together with an effort as the three tankards preceded the landlord into the room.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading On the whole it is difficult to see how the situation (should it ever occur to the reader) could be better handled than it was by Roger.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading On the whole it is difficult to see how the situation (should it ever occur to the reader) could be better handled than it was by Roger.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading On the whole it is difficult to see how the situation (should it ever occur to the reader) could be better handled than it was by Roger.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
tankards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Did you really?” observed that gentleman politely, pulling himself together with an effort as the three tankards preceded the landlord into the room.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading On the whole it is difficult to see how the situation (should it ever occur to the reader) could be better handled than it was by Roger.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Inspector Moresby Is Humorous It is not an easy exercise in hospitality to entertain a guest who has just announced that he is a double murderer.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading “Did you really?” observed that gentleman politely, pulling himself together with an effort as the three tankards preceded the landlord into the room.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Inspector Moresby Is Humorous It is not an easy exercise in hospitality to entertain a guest who has just announced that he is a double murderer.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading “Did you really?” observed that gentleman politely, pulling himself together with an effort as the three tankards preceded the landlord into the room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On the whole it is difficult to see how the situation (should it ever occur to the reader) could be better handled than it was by Roger.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading “Well, well!—er—cheerio!”
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Small talk about the weather and the latest books seems something of an anticlimax, while to display a polite interest in his hobby and question him as to details might be misconstrued as mere indecent curiosity.
which person or people
From this reading Inspector Moresby Is Humorous It is not an easy exercise in hospitality to entertain a guest who has just announced that he is a double murderer.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading On the whole it is difficult to see how the situation (should it ever occur to the reader) could be better handled than it was by Roger.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Did you really?” observed that gentleman politely, pulling himself together with an effort as the three tankards preceded the landlord into the room.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Did you really?” observed that gentleman politely, pulling himself together with an effort as the three tankards preceded the landlord into the room.
