used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading No wonder we were finding it a difficult matter to secure proof against him!
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading No wonder we were finding it a difficult matter to secure proof against him!
in addition
From this reading Did McKelvie have any idea of the man's identity, or was he also groping in the dark?
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Did McKelvie have any idea of the man's identity, or was he also groping in the dark?
appalledadjectiveUS /əˈpɔːld/
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
From this reading THE WOMAN IN THE CASE My mind remained appalled before the contemplation of the devilish ingenuity of this man, who could plan the murder with such diabolical cunning.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE WOMAN IN THE CASE My mind remained appalled before the contemplation of the devilish ingenuity of this man, who could plan the murder with such diabolical cunning.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Was he someone I knew or a stranger who had hitherto remained unsuspected by us?
an occurrence of something
From this reading THE WOMAN IN THE CASE My mind remained appalled before the contemplation of the devilish ingenuity of this man, who could plan the murder with such diabolical cunning.
contemplationnounUS /ˌkɑːntəmˈpleɪʃən/
a long and thoughtful observation
From this reading THE WOMAN IN THE CASE My mind remained appalled before the contemplation of the devilish ingenuity of this man, who could plan the murder with such diabolical cunning.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading THE WOMAN IN THE CASE My mind remained appalled before the contemplation of the devilish ingenuity of this man, who could plan the murder with such diabolical cunning.
cunningadjectiveUS /ˈkʌnɪŋ/
attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness
From this reading THE WOMAN IN THE CASE My mind remained appalled before the contemplation of the devilish ingenuity of this man, who could plan the murder with such diabolical cunning.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Did McKelvie have any idea of the man's identity, or was he also groping in the dark?
devilishadjectiveUS /ˈdevlɪʃ/
showing the cunning or ingenuity or wickedness typical of a devil
From this reading THE WOMAN IN THE CASE My mind remained appalled before the contemplation of the devilish ingenuity of this man, who could plan the murder with such diabolical cunning.
diabolicaladjectiveUS /ˌdaɪəˈbɑːlɪkəl/
showing the cunning or ingenuity or wickedness typical of a devil
From this reading THE WOMAN IN THE CASE My mind remained appalled before the contemplation of the devilish ingenuity of this man, who could plan the murder with such diabolical cunning.
Didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Did McKelvie have any idea of the man's identity, or was he also groping in the dark?
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading No wonder we were finding it a difficult matter to secure proof against him!
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading No wonder we were finding it a difficult matter to secure proof against him!
gropingadjectiveUS /ˈɡroʊpɪŋ/
acting with uncertainty or hesitance or lack of confidence
From this reading Did McKelvie have any idea of the man's identity, or was he also groping in the dark?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Was he someone I knew or a stranger who had hitherto remained unsuspected by us?
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Did McKelvie have any idea of the man's identity, or was he also groping in the dark?
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Who was he?
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading No wonder we were finding it a difficult matter to secure proof against him!
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading Was he someone I knew or a stranger who had hitherto remained unsuspected by us?
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Was he someone I knew or a stranger who had hitherto remained unsuspected by us?
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Did McKelvie have any idea of the man's identity, or was he also groping in the dark?
identitynounUS /aɪˈdentɪtiː/
the distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity
From this reading Did McKelvie have any idea of the man's identity, or was he also groping in the dark?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE WOMAN IN THE CASE My mind remained appalled before the contemplation of the devilish ingenuity of this man, who could plan the murder with such diabolical cunning.
ingenuitynounUS /ˌɪndʒəˈnuːətiː/
the power of creative imagination
From this reading THE WOMAN IN THE CASE My mind remained appalled before the contemplation of the devilish ingenuity of this man, who could plan the murder with such diabolical cunning.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading No wonder we were finding it a difficult matter to secure proof against him!
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Was he someone I knew or a stranger who had hitherto remained unsuspected by us?
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading THE WOMAN IN THE CASE My mind remained appalled before the contemplation of the devilish ingenuity of this man, who could plan the murder with such diabolical cunning.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Did McKelvie have any idea of the man's identity, or was he also groping in the dark?
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading No wonder we were finding it a difficult matter to secure proof against him!
McKelvie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Did McKelvie have any idea of the man's identity, or was he also groping in the dark?
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading THE WOMAN IN THE CASE My mind remained appalled before the contemplation of the devilish ingenuity of this man, who could plan the murder with such diabolical cunning.
kill intentionally and with premeditation
From this reading THE WOMAN IN THE CASE My mind remained appalled before the contemplation of the devilish ingenuity of this man, who could plan the murder with such diabolical cunning.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE WOMAN IN THE CASE My mind remained appalled before the contemplation of the devilish ingenuity of this man, who could plan the murder with such diabolical cunning.
not any; not one
From this reading No wonder we were finding it a difficult matter to secure proof against him!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE WOMAN IN THE CASE My mind remained appalled before the contemplation of the devilish ingenuity of this man, who could plan the murder with such diabolical cunning.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Was he someone I knew or a stranger who had hitherto remained unsuspected by us?
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading THE WOMAN IN THE CASE My mind remained appalled before the contemplation of the devilish ingenuity of this man, who could plan the murder with such diabolical cunning.
any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
From this reading No wonder we were finding it a difficult matter to secure proof against him!
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading THE WOMAN IN THE CASE My mind remained appalled before the contemplation of the devilish ingenuity of this man, who could plan the murder with such diabolical cunning.
get by special effort
From this reading No wonder we were finding it a difficult matter to secure proof against him!
a person, without saying who
From this reading Was he someone I knew or a stranger who had hitherto remained unsuspected by us?
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading Was he someone I knew or a stranger who had hitherto remained unsuspected by us?
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading THE WOMAN IN THE CASE My mind remained appalled before the contemplation of the devilish ingenuity of this man, who could plan the murder with such diabolical cunning.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WOMAN IN THE CASE My mind remained appalled before the contemplation of the devilish ingenuity of this man, who could plan the murder with such diabolical cunning.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading THE WOMAN IN THE CASE My mind remained appalled before the contemplation of the devilish ingenuity of this man, who could plan the murder with such diabolical cunning.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading No wonder we were finding it a difficult matter to secure proof against him!
unsuspectedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnsəˈspektɪd/
not suspected or believed likely
From this reading Was he someone I knew or a stranger who had hitherto remained unsuspected by us?
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Was he someone I knew or a stranger who had hitherto remained unsuspected by us?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Who was he?
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading No wonder we were finding it a difficult matter to secure proof against him!
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading No wonder we were finding it a difficult matter to secure proof against him!
which person or people
From this reading THE WOMAN IN THE CASE My mind remained appalled before the contemplation of the devilish ingenuity of this man, who could plan the murder with such diabolical cunning.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE WOMAN IN THE CASE My mind remained appalled before the contemplation of the devilish ingenuity of this man, who could plan the murder with such diabolical cunning.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading THE WOMAN IN THE CASE My mind remained appalled before the contemplation of the devilish ingenuity of this man, who could plan the murder with such diabolical cunning.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading No wonder we were finding it a difficult matter to secure proof against him!
