used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A SHOCK FOR THE PRINCESS It was not a pleasant task, but it had to be done.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Fortunately it was possible to do everything discreetly and in order, for the vaults were large, and there was not the slightest chance that any of the household would come near.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Fortunately it was possible to do everything discreetly and in order, for the vaults were large, and there was not the slightest chance that any of the household would come near.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Inform the head of the house and send for the police", Tchigorsky said; "so far as I can see, it will be impossible to keep the matter a secret.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Geoffrey looked at his companions and inquired what was to be done next.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A SHOCK FOR THE PRINCESS It was not a pleasant task, but it had to be done.
plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading The bodies were laid out there and the key turned upon them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A SHOCK FOR THE PRINCESS It was not a pleasant task, but it had to be done.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "Inform the head of the house and send for the police", Tchigorsky said; "so far as I can see, it will be impossible to keep the matter a secret.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Fortunately it was possible to do everything discreetly and in order, for the vaults were large, and there was not the slightest chance that any of the household would come near.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Fortunately it was possible to do everything discreetly and in order, for the vaults were large, and there was not the slightest chance that any of the household would come near.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Geoffrey looked at his companions and inquired what was to be done next.
discreetlyadverbUS /dɪˈskriːtli/
with discretion; prudently and with wise self-restraint
From this reading Fortunately it was possible to do everything discreetly and in order, for the vaults were large, and there was not the slightest chance that any of the household would come near.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Fortunately it was possible to do everything discreetly and in order, for the vaults were large, and there was not the slightest chance that any of the household would come near.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading A SHOCK FOR THE PRINCESS It was not a pleasant task, but it had to be done.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Fortunately it was possible to do everything discreetly and in order, for the vaults were large, and there was not the slightest chance that any of the household would come near.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading "Inform the head of the house and send for the police", Tchigorsky said; "so far as I can see, it will be impossible to keep the matter a secret.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A SHOCK FOR THE PRINCESS It was not a pleasant task, but it had to be done.
FortunatelyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
by good fortune
From this reading Fortunately it was possible to do everything discreetly and in order, for the vaults were large, and there was not the slightest chance that any of the household would come near.
Geoffrey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Geoffrey looked at his companions and inquired what was to be done next.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A SHOCK FOR THE PRINCESS It was not a pleasant task, but it had to be done.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading "Inform the head of the house and send for the police", Tchigorsky said; "so far as I can see, it will be impossible to keep the matter a secret.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Geoffrey looked at his companions and inquired what was to be done next.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading "Inform the head of the house and send for the police", Tchigorsky said; "so far as I can see, it will be impossible to keep the matter a secret.
a social unit living together
From this reading Fortunately it was possible to do everything discreetly and in order, for the vaults were large, and there was not the slightest chance that any of the household would come near.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Inform the head of the house and send for the police", Tchigorsky said; "so far as I can see, it will be impossible to keep the matter a secret.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading "Inform the head of the house and send for the police", Tchigorsky said; "so far as I can see, it will be impossible to keep the matter a secret.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Fortunately it was possible to do everything discreetly and in order, for the vaults were large, and there was not the slightest chance that any of the household would come near.
InformverbUS /ˌɪnˈfɔːrm/
impart knowledge of some fact, state of affairs, or event to
From this reading "Inform the head of the house and send for the police", Tchigorsky said; "so far as I can see, it will be impossible to keep the matter a secret.
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading Geoffrey looked at his companions and inquired what was to be done next.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A SHOCK FOR THE PRINCESS It was not a pleasant task, but it had to be done.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading "Inform the head of the house and send for the police", Tchigorsky said; "so far as I can see, it will be impossible to keep the matter a secret.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading The bodies were laid out there and the key turned upon them.
set down according to a plan
From this reading The bodies were laid out there and the key turned upon them.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Fortunately it was possible to do everything discreetly and in order, for the vaults were large, and there was not the slightest chance that any of the household would come near.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Geoffrey looked at his companions and inquired what was to be done next.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading "Inform the head of the house and send for the police", Tchigorsky said; "so far as I can see, it will be impossible to keep the matter a secret.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Fortunately it was possible to do everything discreetly and in order, for the vaults were large, and there was not the slightest chance that any of the household would come near.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Geoffrey looked at his companions and inquired what was to be done next.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A SHOCK FOR THE PRINCESS It was not a pleasant task, but it had to be done.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Fortunately it was possible to do everything discreetly and in order, for the vaults were large, and there was not the slightest chance that any of the household would come near.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Fortunately it was possible to do everything discreetly and in order, for the vaults were large, and there was not the slightest chance that any of the household would come near.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The bodies were laid out there and the key turned upon them.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading A SHOCK FOR THE PRINCESS It was not a pleasant task, but it had to be done.
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading "Inform the head of the house and send for the police", Tchigorsky said; "so far as I can see, it will be impossible to keep the matter a secret.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Fortunately it was possible to do everything discreetly and in order, for the vaults were large, and there was not the slightest chance that any of the household would come near.
The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.
From this reading A SHOCK FOR THE PRINCESS It was not a pleasant task, but it had to be done.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Inform the head of the house and send for the police", Tchigorsky said; "so far as I can see, it will be impossible to keep the matter a secret.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading "Inform the head of the house and send for the police", Tchigorsky said; "so far as I can see, it will be impossible to keep the matter a secret.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "Inform the head of the house and send for the police", Tchigorsky said; "so far as I can see, it will be impossible to keep the matter a secret.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading "Inform the head of the house and send for the police", Tchigorsky said; "so far as I can see, it will be impossible to keep the matter a secret.
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading A SHOCK FOR THE PRINCESS It was not a pleasant task, but it had to be done.
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading Fortunately it was possible to do everything discreetly and in order, for the vaults were large, and there was not the slightest chance that any of the household would come near.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "Inform the head of the house and send for the police", Tchigorsky said; "so far as I can see, it will be impossible to keep the matter a secret.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading A SHOCK FOR THE PRINCESS It was not a pleasant task, but it had to be done.
Tchigorsky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Inform the head of the house and send for the police", Tchigorsky said; "so far as I can see, it will be impossible to keep the matter a secret.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Fortunately it was possible to do everything discreetly and in order, for the vaults were large, and there was not the slightest chance that any of the household would come near.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A SHOCK FOR THE PRINCESS It was not a pleasant task, but it had to be done.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The bodies were laid out there and the key turned upon them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Fortunately it was possible to do everything discreetly and in order, for the vaults were large, and there was not the slightest chance that any of the household would come near.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A SHOCK FOR THE PRINCESS It was not a pleasant task, but it had to be done.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading The bodies were laid out there and the key turned upon them.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The bodies were laid out there and the key turned upon them.
vaultsnounUS /vɔːlts/
plural of “vault” — a burial chamber (usually underground)
From this reading Fortunately it was possible to do everything discreetly and in order, for the vaults were large, and there was not the slightest chance that any of the household would come near.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A SHOCK FOR THE PRINCESS It was not a pleasant task, but it had to be done.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Fortunately it was possible to do everything discreetly and in order, for the vaults were large, and there was not the slightest chance that any of the household would come near.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Geoffrey looked at his companions and inquired what was to be done next.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Inform the head of the house and send for the police", Tchigorsky said; "so far as I can see, it will be impossible to keep the matter a secret.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Fortunately it was possible to do everything discreetly and in order, for the vaults were large, and there was not the slightest chance that any of the household would come near.
