Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

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

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

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

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

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

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

from appearances alone

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

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

From this reading "When you, Mr. Marchmont and Mr. Stephen, introduced the case to me, I made a very brief précis of the facts as you presented them, and of these there were one or two which immediately attracted my attention.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading "When you, Mr. Marchmont and Mr. Stephen, introduced the case to me, I made a very brief précis of the facts as you presented them, and of these there were one or two which immediately attracted my attention.

past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

From this reading "When you, Mr. Marchmont and Mr. Stephen, introduced the case to me, I made a very brief précis of the facts as you presented them, and of these there were one or two which immediately attracted my attention.

(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 Perhaps I had better explain that first and let you see what was the real starting-point of the inquiry.

of short duration or distance

From this reading "When you, Mr. Marchmont and Mr. Stephen, introduced the case to me, I made a very brief précis of the facts as you presented them, and of these there were one or two which immediately attracted my attention.

an occurrence of something

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

plural of “cup” — a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

make plain and comprehensible

From this reading Perhaps I had better explain that first and let you see what was the real starting-point of the inquiry.

a systematic interpretation or explanation (usually written) of a specific topic

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading "When you, Mr. Marchmont and Mr. Stephen, introduced the case to me, I made a very brief précis of the facts as you presented them, and of these there were one or two which immediately attracted my attention.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Perhaps I had better explain that first and let you see what was the real starting-point of the inquiry.

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

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

having or involving the use of hands

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

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

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

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

From this reading Perhaps I had better explain that first and let you see what was the real starting-point of the inquiry.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading "When you, Mr. Marchmont and Mr. Stephen, introduced the case to me, I made a very brief précis of the facts as you presented them, and of these there were one or two which immediately attracted my attention.

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

From this reading In the first place, there was the will.

brought about or caused; not spontaneous

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

a search for knowledge

From this reading Perhaps I had better explain that first and let you see what was the real starting-point of the inquiry.

past form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally

From this reading "When you, Mr. Marchmont and Mr. Stephen, introduced the case to me, I made a very brief précis of the facts as you presented them, and of these there were one or two which immediately attracted my attention.

an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a very strange will.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Perhaps I had better explain that first and let you see what was the real starting-point of the inquiry.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading "When you, Mr. Marchmont and Mr. Stephen, introduced the case to me, I made a very brief précis of the facts as you presented them, and of these there were one or two which immediately attracted my attention.

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

From this reading "When you, Mr. Marchmont and Mr. Stephen, introduced the case to me, I made a very brief précis of the facts as you presented them, and of these there were one or two which immediately attracted my attention.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

a form of address for a man

From this reading "When you, Mr. Marchmont and Mr. Stephen, introduced the case to me, I made a very brief précis of the facts as you presented them, and of these there were one or two which immediately attracted my attention.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "When you, Mr. Marchmont and Mr. Stephen, introduced the case to me, I made a very brief précis of the facts as you presented them, and of these there were one or two which immediately attracted my attention.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "When you, Mr. Marchmont and Mr. Stephen, introduced the case to me, I made a very brief précis of the facts as you presented them, and of these there were one or two which immediately attracted my attention.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "When you, Mr. Marchmont and Mr. Stephen, introduced the case to me, I made a very brief précis of the facts as you presented them, and of these there were one or two which immediately attracted my attention.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

by chance

From this reading Perhaps I had better explain that first and let you see what was the real starting-point of the inquiry.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading In the first place, there was the will.

past form of “pour” — cause to run

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading "When you, Mr. Marchmont and Mr. Stephen, introduced the case to me, I made a very brief précis of the facts as you presented them, and of these there were one or two which immediately attracted my attention.

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

From this reading "When you, Mr. Marchmont and Mr. Stephen, introduced the case to me, I made a very brief précis of the facts as you presented them, and of these there were one or two which immediately attracted my attention.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading Perhaps I had better explain that first and let you see what was the real starting-point of the inquiry.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Perhaps I had better explain that first and let you see what was the real starting-point of the inquiry.

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

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

From this reading Perhaps I had better explain that first and let you see what was the real starting-point of the inquiry.

English writer (1832-1904)

From this reading "When you, Mr. Marchmont and Mr. Stephen, introduced the case to me, I made a very brief précis of the facts as you presented them, and of these there were one or two which immediately attracted my attention.

free from ambiguity

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading It was a very strange will.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Perhaps I had better explain that first and let you see what was the real starting-point of the inquiry.

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

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading "When you, Mr. Marchmont and Mr. Stephen, introduced the case to me, I made a very brief précis of the facts as you presented them, and of these there were one or two which immediately attracted my attention.

in or at that place or location

From this reading "When you, Mr. Marchmont and Mr. Stephen, introduced the case to me, I made a very brief précis of the facts as you presented them, and of these there were one or two which immediately attracted my attention.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading "When you, Mr. Marchmont and Mr. Stephen, introduced the case to me, I made a very brief précis of the facts as you presented them, and of these there were one or two which immediately attracted my attention.

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

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

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

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

an event resulting in great loss and misfortune

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading "When you, Mr. Marchmont and Mr. Stephen, introduced the case to me, I made a very brief précis of the facts as you presented them, and of these there were one or two which immediately attracted my attention.

enter upon an activity or enterprise

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

precisely as stated

From this reading "When you, Mr. Marchmont and Mr. Stephen, introduced the case to me, I made a very brief précis of the facts as you presented them, and of these there were one or two which immediately attracted my attention.

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

From this reading Perhaps I had better explain that first and let you see what was the real starting-point of the inquiry.

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

From this reading "When you, Mr. Marchmont and Mr. Stephen, introduced the case to me, I made a very brief précis of the facts as you presented them, and of these there were one or two which immediately attracted my attention.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

at the time that

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

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

From this reading "When you, Mr. Marchmont and Mr. Stephen, introduced the case to me, I made a very brief précis of the facts as you presented them, and of these there were one or two which immediately attracted my attention.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading In the first place, there was the will.

past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading An Exposition and a Tragedy "You may have wondered," Thorndyke commenced, when he had poured out the coffee and handed round the cups, "what induced me to undertake the minute investigation of so apparently simple and straightforward a case.