used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
actionsnounUS /ˈækʃənz/
plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading "Well, that may be so in most cases, but my experience has proved to me that there is one factor in this world of ours which is the mainspring of human actions, and that factor is human passions.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "I have known experienced criminal investigators declare, as an infallible axiom, that to find the person interested in the committal of the crime is to find the criminal.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Remember, there are the women!
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "I have known experienced criminal investigators declare, as an infallible axiom, that to find the person interested in the committal of the crime is to find the criminal.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
axiomnounUS /ˈæksiəm/
a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits
From this reading "I have known experienced criminal investigators declare, as an infallible axiom, that to find the person interested in the committal of the crime is to find the criminal.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Well, that may be so in most cases, but my experience has proved to me that there is one factor in this world of ours which is the mainspring of human actions, and that factor is human passions.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Well, that may be so in most cases, but my experience has proved to me that there is one factor in this world of ours which is the mainspring of human actions, and that factor is human passions.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading "Well, that may be so in most cases, but my experience has proved to me that there is one factor in this world of ours which is the mainspring of human actions, and that factor is human passions.
committalnounUS /kəˈmɪtəl/
the official act of consigning a person to confinement (as in a prison or mental hospital)
From this reading "I have known experienced criminal investigators declare, as an infallible axiom, that to find the person interested in the committal of the crime is to find the criminal.
complicatedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmpləkeɪtəd/
difficult to analyze or understand
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading "I have known experienced criminal investigators declare, as an infallible axiom, that to find the person interested in the committal of the crime is to find the criminal.
bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
From this reading "I have known experienced criminal investigators declare, as an infallible axiom, that to find the person interested in the committal of the crime is to find the criminal.
state emphatically and authoritatively
From this reading "I have known experienced criminal investigators declare, as an infallible axiom, that to find the person interested in the committal of the crime is to find the criminal.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
dog-skin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading For good or evil passions rule this poor humanity of ours.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading "Well, that may be so in most cases, but my experience has proved to me that there is one factor in this world of ours which is the mainspring of human actions, and that factor is human passions.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading "I have known experienced criminal investigators declare, as an infallible axiom, that to find the person interested in the committal of the crime is to find the criminal.
factornounUS /ˈfæktər/
anything that contributes causally to a result
From this reading "Well, that may be so in most cases, but my experience has proved to me that there is one factor in this world of ours which is the mainspring of human actions, and that factor is human passions.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading "I have known experienced criminal investigators declare, as an infallible axiom, that to find the person interested in the committal of the crime is to find the criminal.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
flamingadjectiveUS /ˈfleɪmɪŋ/
informal intensifiers
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For good or evil passions rule this poor humanity of ours.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
glovesnounUS /ɡlʌvz/
plural of “glove” — the handwear used by fielders in playing baseball
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading For good or evil passions rule this poor humanity of ours.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Well, that may be so in most cases, but my experience has proved to me that there is one factor in this world of ours which is the mainspring of human actions, and that factor is human passions.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "I have known experienced criminal investigators declare, as an infallible axiom, that to find the person interested in the committal of the crime is to find the criminal.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading "Well, that may be so in most cases, but my experience has proved to me that there is one factor in this world of ours which is the mainspring of human actions, and that factor is human passions.
the quality of being humane
From this reading For good or evil passions rule this poor humanity of ours.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I have known experienced criminal investigators declare, as an infallible axiom, that to find the person interested in the committal of the crime is to find the criminal.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
infallibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfæləbəl/
incapable of failure or error
From this reading "I have known experienced criminal investigators declare, as an infallible axiom, that to find the person interested in the committal of the crime is to find the criminal.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading "I have known experienced criminal investigators declare, as an infallible axiom, that to find the person interested in the committal of the crime is to find the criminal.
investigatorsnounUS /ˌɪnˈvestəɡeɪtərz/
plural of “investigator” — a scientist who devotes himself to doing research
From this reading "I have known experienced criminal investigators declare, as an infallible axiom, that to find the person interested in the committal of the crime is to find the criminal.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading "I have known experienced criminal investigators declare, as an infallible axiom, that to find the person interested in the committal of the crime is to find the criminal.
leisurelyadverbUS /ˈliːzərli/
in an unhurried way or at one's convenience
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
mainspringnoun
the most important spring in a mechanical device (especially a clock or watch); as it uncoils it drives the mechanism
From this reading "Well, that may be so in most cases, but my experience has proved to me that there is one factor in this world of ours which is the mainspring of human actions, and that factor is human passions.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "Well, that may be so in most cases, but my experience has proved to me that there is one factor in this world of ours which is the mainspring of human actions, and that factor is human passions.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Well, that may be so in most cases, but my experience has proved to me that there is one factor in this world of ours which is the mainspring of human actions, and that factor is human passions.
meagreadjective
deficient in amount or quality or extent
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
used to form the superlative
From this reading "Well, that may be so in most cases, but my experience has proved to me that there is one factor in this world of ours which is the mainspring of human actions, and that factor is human passions.
motivenounUS /ˈmoʊtɪv/
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 THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Well, that may be so in most cases, but my experience has proved to me that there is one factor in this world of ours which is the mainspring of human actions, and that factor is human passions.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading For good or evil passions rule this poor humanity of ours.
the one or ones belonging to us
From this reading "Well, that may be so in most cases, but my experience has proved to me that there is one factor in this world of ours which is the mainspring of human actions, and that factor is human passions.
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
passionsnounUS /ˈpæʃənz/
plural of “passion” — a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading "Well, that may be so in most cases, but my experience has proved to me that there is one factor in this world of ours which is the mainspring of human actions, and that factor is human passions.
a human being
From this reading "I have known experienced criminal investigators declare, as an infallible axiom, that to find the person interested in the committal of the crime is to find the criminal.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading For good or evil passions rule this poor humanity of ours.
established beyond doubt
From this reading "Well, that may be so in most cases, but my experience has proved to me that there is one factor in this world of ours which is the mainspring of human actions, and that factor is human passions.
PROVIDENTadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːvɪdənt/
providing carefully for the future
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
pullingnounUS /ˈpʊlɪŋ/
the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
To recall to mind.
From this reading Remember, there are the women!
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading For good or evil passions rule this poor humanity of ours.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "Well, that may be so in most cases, but my experience has proved to me that there is one factor in this world of ours which is the mainspring of human actions, and that factor is human passions.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
THEFTnounUS /θeft/
the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "Well, that may be so in most cases, but my experience has proved to me that there is one factor in this world of ours which is the mainspring of human actions, and that factor is human passions.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Well, that may be so in most cases, but my experience has proved to me that there is one factor in this world of ours which is the mainspring of human actions, and that factor is human passions.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I have known experienced criminal investigators declare, as an infallible axiom, that to find the person interested in the committal of the crime is to find the criminal.
precisely as stated
From this reading THE THEFT AT THE ENGLISH PROVIDENT BANK "That question of motive is a very difficult and complicated one at times," said the man in the corner, leisurely pulling off a huge pair of flaming dog-skin gloves from his meagre fingers.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Well, that may be so in most cases, but my experience has proved to me that there is one factor in this world of ours which is the mainspring of human actions, and that factor is human passions.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "Well, that may be so in most cases, but my experience has proved to me that there is one factor in this world of ours which is the mainspring of human actions, and that factor is human passions.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Remember, there are the women!
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading "Well, that may be so in most cases, but my experience has proved to me that there is one factor in this world of ours which is the mainspring of human actions, and that factor is human passions.
