used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Have you ever felt real sympathy with a criminal or a thief?" he asked her after a while.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading "Have you ever felt real sympathy with a criminal or a thief?" he asked her after a while.
(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 Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Have you ever felt real sympathy with a criminal or a thief?" he asked her after a while.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
blandlyadverbUS /ˈblændli/
in a bland manner
From this reading "You mean the heroine of the York mystery?" he replied blandly.
BurtonnounUS /ˈbɜːrtən/
English explorer who with John Speke was the first European to explore Lake Tanganyika (1821-1890)
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading THE EDINBURGH MYSTERY The man in the corner had not enjoyed his lunch.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
From this reading "Have you ever felt real sympathy with a criminal or a thief?" he asked her after a while.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
EDINBURGHnounUS /ˈedənbəroʊ/
the capital of Scotland; located in the Lothian Region on the south side of the Firth of Forth
From this reading THE EDINBURGH MYSTERY The man in the corner had not enjoyed his lunch.
past form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading THE EDINBURGH MYSTERY The man in the corner had not enjoyed his lunch.
enlistverbUS /ˌenˈlɪst/
join the military
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
divisible by two
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
at any time
From this reading "Have you ever felt real sympathy with a criminal or a thief?" he asked her after a while.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading "Have you ever felt real sympathy with a criminal or a thief?" he asked her after a while.
fidgetingverbUS /ˈfɪdʒətɪŋ/
-ing form of “fidget” — move restlessly
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE EDINBURGH MYSTERY The man in the corner had not enjoyed his lunch.
Haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Have you ever felt real sympathy with a criminal or a thief?" he asked her after a while.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
heroinenounUS /ˈheroʊən/
the main good female character in a work of fiction
From this reading "You mean the heroine of the York mystery?" he replied blandly.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE EDINBURGH MYSTERY The man in the corner had not enjoyed his lunch.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE EDINBURGH MYSTERY The man in the corner had not enjoyed his lunch.
jarverbUS /dʒɑːr/
be incompatible; be or come into conflict
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
take the midday meal
From this reading THE EDINBURGH MYSTERY The man in the corner had not enjoyed his lunch.
engage in
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading THE EDINBURGH MYSTERY The man in the corner had not enjoyed his lunch.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading "You mean the heroine of the York mystery?" he replied blandly.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading THE EDINBURGH MYSTERY The man in the corner had not enjoyed his lunch.
an uneasy psychological state
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE EDINBURGH MYSTERY The man in the corner had not enjoyed his lunch.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
on one occasion
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
and nothing more
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Have you ever felt real sympathy with a criminal or a thief?" he asked her after a while.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
Polly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading "Have you ever felt real sympathy with a criminal or a thief?" he asked her after a while.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
stringnounUS /strɪŋ/
a lightweight cord
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
sympathiesnounUS /ˈsɪmpəθiz/
plural of “sympathy” — an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading "Have you ever felt real sympathy with a criminal or a thief?" he asked her after a while.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE EDINBURGH MYSTERY The man in the corner had not enjoyed his lunch.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
thiefnounUS /θiːf/
a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it
From this reading "Have you ever felt real sympathy with a criminal or a thief?" he asked her after a while.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading "Have you ever felt real sympathy with a criminal or a thief?" he asked her after a while.
which person or people
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
in the company of; together with
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading "You mean the heroine of the York mystery?" he replied blandly.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Have you ever felt real sympathy with a criminal or a thief?" he asked her after a while.
