Chapter I · The Crime

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

From this reading If this key was missing, then a motive for what may now be safely called a crime is forthcoming.

a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

worthy of acceptance or satisfactory

From this reading “Despite the reticence of the police, it is plain to all that they are as puzzled as the public in general to form an acceptable theory as to how the crime was committed.”

(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with

From this reading It will be noted that, according to the statement of David Israel, there was only one key to the city safe, and that was in the possession of his master.

(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 “Despite the reticence of the police, it is plain to all that they are as puzzled as the public in general to form an acceptable theory as to how the crime was committed.”

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading “The police authorities had already made a careful inventory of the dead man’s personal effects, and amongst these, taken from the trousers pocket, was a small flat key, said by Mrs. Booth to be, without doubt, that of her husband’s safe.

surrounded by; in the company of

From this reading “The police authorities had already made a careful inventory of the dead man’s personal effects, and amongst these, taken from the trousers pocket, was a small flat key, said by Mrs. Booth to be, without doubt, that of her husband’s safe.

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

From this reading “Despite the reticence of the police, it is plain to all that they are as puzzled as the public in general to form an acceptable theory as to how the crime was committed.”

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

From this reading It will be noted that, according to the statement of David Israel, there was only one key to the city safe, and that was in the possession of his master.

expected hopefully

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

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

From this reading “Despite the reticence of the police, it is plain to all that they are as puzzled as the public in general to form an acceptable theory as to how the crime was committed.”

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

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit

From this reading “The police authorities had already made a careful inventory of the dead man’s personal effects, and amongst these, taken from the trousers pocket, was a small flat key, said by Mrs. Booth to be, without doubt, that of her husband’s safe.

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

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

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

From this reading It will be noted that, according to the statement of David Israel, there was only one key to the city safe, and that was in the possession of his master.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

a table (in a restaurant or bar) surrounded by two high-backed benches

From this reading “The police authorities had already made a careful inventory of the dead man’s personal effects, and amongst these, taken from the trousers pocket, was a small flat key, said by Mrs. Booth to be, without doubt, that of her husband’s safe.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading “The police authorities had already made a careful inventory of the dead man’s personal effects, and amongst these, taken from the trousers pocket, was a small flat key, said by Mrs. Booth to be, without doubt, that of her husband’s safe.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading If this key was missing, then a motive for what may now be safely called a crime is forthcoming.

exercising caution or showing care or attention

From this reading “The police authorities had already made a careful inventory of the dead man’s personal effects, and amongst these, taken from the trousers pocket, was a small flat key, said by Mrs. Booth to be, without doubt, that of her husband’s safe.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading It will be noted that, according to the statement of David Israel, there was only one key to the city safe, and that was in the possession of his master.

bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude

From this reading “Despite the reticence of the police, it is plain to all that they are as puzzled as the public in general to form an acceptable theory as to how the crime was committed.”

feeling or showing worry or solicitude

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

-ing form of “connect” — connect, fasten, or put together two or more pieces

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act

From this reading If this key was missing, then a motive for what may now be safely called a crime is forthcoming.

patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)

From this reading It will be noted that, according to the statement of David Israel, there was only one key to the city safe, and that was in the possession of his master.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading “The police authorities had already made a careful inventory of the dead man’s personal effects, and amongst these, taken from the trousers pocket, was a small flat key, said by Mrs. Booth to be, without doubt, that of her husband’s safe.

comparative of “deeply” — to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading “Despite the reticence of the police, it is plain to all that they are as puzzled as the public in general to form an acceptable theory as to how the crime was committed.”

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading “The police authorities had already made a careful inventory of the dead man’s personal effects, and amongst these, taken from the trousers pocket, was a small flat key, said by Mrs. Booth to be, without doubt, that of her husband’s safe.

property of a personal character that is portable but not used in business

From this reading “The police authorities had already made a careful inventory of the dead man’s personal effects, and amongst these, taken from the trousers pocket, was a small flat key, said by Mrs. Booth to be, without doubt, that of her husband’s safe.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another

From this reading “The police authorities had already made a careful inventory of the dead man’s personal effects, and amongst these, taken from the trousers pocket, was a small flat key, said by Mrs. Booth to be, without doubt, that of her husband’s safe.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading If this key was missing, then a motive for what may now be safely called a crime is forthcoming.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading “Despite the reticence of the police, it is plain to all that they are as puzzled as the public in general to form an acceptable theory as to how the crime was committed.”

at ease in talking to others

From this reading If this key was missing, then a motive for what may now be safely called a crime is forthcoming.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading “The police authorities had already made a careful inventory of the dead man’s personal effects, and amongst these, taken from the trousers pocket, was a small flat key, said by Mrs. Booth to be, without doubt, that of her husband’s safe.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading “Despite the reticence of the police, it is plain to all that they are as puzzled as the public in general to form an acceptable theory as to how the crime was committed.”

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

From this reading “The police authorities had already made a careful inventory of the dead man’s personal effects, and amongst these, taken from the trousers pocket, was a small flat key, said by Mrs. Booth to be, without doubt, that of her husband’s safe.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading “The police authorities had already made a careful inventory of the dead man’s personal effects, and amongst these, taken from the trousers pocket, was a small flat key, said by Mrs. Booth to be, without doubt, that of her husband’s safe.

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

From this reading It will be noted that, according to the statement of David Israel, there was only one key to the city safe, and that was in the possession of his master.

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

From this reading “Despite the reticence of the police, it is plain to all that they are as puzzled as the public in general to form an acceptable theory as to how the crime was committed.”

possessive form of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading “The police authorities had already made a careful inventory of the dead man’s personal effects, and amongst these, taken from the trousers pocket, was a small flat key, said by Mrs. Booth to be, without doubt, that of her husband’s safe.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If this key was missing, then a motive for what may now be safely called a crime is forthcoming.

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

From this reading It will be noted that, according to the statement of David Israel, there was only one key to the city safe, and that was in the possession of his master.

a detailed list of all the items in stock

From this reading “The police authorities had already made a careful inventory of the dead man’s personal effects, and amongst these, taken from the trousers pocket, was a small flat key, said by Mrs. Booth to be, without doubt, that of her husband’s safe.

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

From this reading If this key was missing, then a motive for what may now be safely called a crime is forthcoming.

Jewish republic in southwestern Asia at eastern end of Mediterranean; formerly part of Palestine

From this reading It will be noted that, according to the statement of David Israel, there was only one key to the city safe, and that was in the possession of his master.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It will be noted that, according to the statement of David Israel, there was only one key to the city safe, and that was in the possession of his master.

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 It will be noted that, according to the statement of David Israel, there was only one key to the city safe, and that was in the possession of his master.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

make a logical or causal connection

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading “The police authorities had already made a careful inventory of the dead man’s personal effects, and amongst these, taken from the trousers pocket, was a small flat key, said by Mrs. Booth to be, without doubt, that of her husband’s safe.

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading “The police authorities had already made a careful inventory of the dead man’s personal effects, and amongst these, taken from the trousers pocket, was a small flat key, said by Mrs. Booth to be, without doubt, that of her husband’s safe.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading It will be noted that, according to the statement of David Israel, there was only one key to the city safe, and that was in the possession of his master.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading If this key was missing, then a motive for what may now be safely called a crime is forthcoming.

not able to be found

From this reading If this key was missing, then a motive for what may now be safely called a crime is forthcoming.

the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior

From this reading If this key was missing, then a motive for what may now be safely called a crime is forthcoming.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading “The police authorities had already made a careful inventory of the dead man’s personal effects, and amongst these, taken from the trousers pocket, was a small flat key, said by Mrs. Booth to be, without doubt, that of her husband’s safe.

kill intentionally and with premeditation

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

as might be expected

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading It will be noted that, according to the statement of David Israel, there was only one key to the city safe, and that was in the possession of his master.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading If this key was missing, then a motive for what may now be safely called a crime is forthcoming.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It will be noted that, according to the statement of David Israel, there was only one key to the city safe, and that was in the possession of his master.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It will be noted that, according to the statement of David Israel, there was only one key to the city safe, and that was in the possession of his master.

and nothing more

From this reading It will be noted that, according to the statement of David Israel, there was only one key to the city safe, and that was in the possession of his master.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality

From this reading “The police authorities had already made a careful inventory of the dead man’s personal effects, and amongst these, taken from the trousers pocket, was a small flat key, said by Mrs. Booth to be, without doubt, that of her husband’s safe.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading “Despite the reticence of the police, it is plain to all that they are as puzzled as the public in general to form an acceptable theory as to how the crime was committed.”

a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles

From this reading “The police authorities had already made a careful inventory of the dead man’s personal effects, and amongst these, taken from the trousers pocket, was a small flat key, said by Mrs. Booth to be, without doubt, that of her husband’s safe.

the force of policemen and officers

From this reading “The police authorities had already made a careful inventory of the dead man’s personal effects, and amongst these, taken from the trousers pocket, was a small flat key, said by Mrs. Booth to be, without doubt, that of her husband’s safe.

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading It will be noted that, according to the statement of David Israel, there was only one key to the city safe, and that was in the possession of his master.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

filled with bewilderment

From this reading “Despite the reticence of the police, it is plain to all that they are as puzzled as the public in general to form an acceptable theory as to how the crime was committed.”

a person who investigates and reports or edits news stories

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

the trait of being uncommunicative; not volunteering anything more than necessary

From this reading “Despite the reticence of the police, it is plain to all that they are as puzzled as the public in general to form an acceptable theory as to how the crime was committed.”

larceny by threat of violence

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

free from danger or the risk of harm

From this reading It will be noted that, according to the statement of David Israel, there was only one key to the city safe, and that was in the possession of his master.

with safety; in a safe manner

From this reading If this key was missing, then a motive for what may now be safely called a crime is forthcoming.

the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “The police authorities had already made a careful inventory of the dead man’s personal effects, and amongst these, taken from the trousers pocket, was a small flat key, said by Mrs. Booth to be, without doubt, that of her husband’s safe.

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading “The police authorities had already made a careful inventory of the dead man’s personal effects, and amongst these, taken from the trousers pocket, was a small flat key, said by Mrs. Booth to be, without doubt, that of her husband’s safe.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc

From this reading It will be noted that, according to the statement of David Israel, there was only one key to the city safe, and that was in the possession of his master.

not in physical motion

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading “The police authorities had already made a careful inventory of the dead man’s personal effects, and amongst these, taken from the trousers pocket, was a small flat key, said by Mrs. Booth to be, without doubt, that of her husband’s safe.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It will be noted that, according to the statement of David Israel, there was only one key to the city safe, and that was in the possession of his master.

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

From this reading It will be noted that, according to the statement of David Israel, there was only one key to the city safe, and that was in the possession of his master.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading If this key was missing, then a motive for what may now be safely called a crime is forthcoming.

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 “Despite the reticence of the police, it is plain to all that they are as puzzled as the public in general to form an acceptable theory as to how the crime was committed.”

in or at that place or location

From this reading It will be noted that, according to the statement of David Israel, there was only one key to the city safe, and that was in the possession of his master.

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

From this reading “The police authorities had already made a careful inventory of the dead man’s personal effects, and amongst these, taken from the trousers pocket, was a small flat key, said by Mrs. Booth to be, without doubt, that of her husband’s safe.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “Despite the reticence of the police, it is plain to all that they are as puzzled as the public in general to form an acceptable theory as to how the crime was committed.”

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading If this key was missing, then a motive for what may now be safely called a crime is forthcoming.

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

From this reading It will be noted that, according to the statement of David Israel, there was only one key to the city safe, and that was in the possession of his master.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

(usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately

From this reading “The police authorities had already made a careful inventory of the dead man’s personal effects, and amongst these, taken from the trousers pocket, was a small flat key, said by Mrs. Booth to be, without doubt, that of her husband’s safe.

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

From this reading It will be noted that, according to the statement of David Israel, there was only one key to the city safe, and that was in the possession of his master.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading If this key was missing, then a motive for what may now be safely called a crime is forthcoming.

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

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading It will be noted that, according to the statement of David Israel, there was only one key to the city safe, and that was in the possession of his master.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “The police authorities had already made a careful inventory of the dead man’s personal effects, and amongst these, taken from the trousers pocket, was a small flat key, said by Mrs. Booth to be, without doubt, that of her husband’s safe.

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

From this reading “So far as the public is concerned, this safety of the key, the abstraction of which was so naturally anticipated by our reporter, makes the mystery still deeper, and banishes what would at first appear to be the motive for at least part of the crime, and the connecting link between the murder on North Shore and the robbery in town.