used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Uncle Pieter and Cousin Andy were no less interested than Janet in the notes which she had found in the secret room, now no longer a secret from the family.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading But Mr. Van Meter had given direction that all entrances should be closed and that the affair should not be made the matter of gossip.
(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 But Mr. Van Meter had given direction that all entrances should be closed and that the affair should not be made the matter of gossip.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Uncle Pieter and Cousin Andy were no less interested than Janet in the notes which she had found in the secret room, now no longer a secret from the family.
Andy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Uncle Pieter and Cousin Andy were no less interested than Janet in the notes which she had found in the secret room, now no longer a secret from the family.
approvingnounUS /əˈpruːvɪŋ/
the formal act of approving
From this reading She had often been told at school that she read with expression, but she did not see the approving, smiling glance with which her uncle looked at her cousin, as she read.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She had often been told at school that she read with expression, but she did not see the approving, smiling glance with which her uncle looked at her cousin, as she read.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She had often been told at school that she read with expression, but she did not see the approving, smiling glance with which her uncle looked at her cousin, as she read.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But Mr. Van Meter had given direction that all entrances should be closed and that the affair should not be made the matter of gossip.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She had often been told at school that she read with expression, but she did not see the approving, smiling glance with which her uncle looked at her cousin, as she read.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Having before deciphered the often blurred writing on the old paper, Jannet was commissioned to read the messages to her uncle and cousin in the library.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading She did so, and they lost none of their point by being read by the still excited Jannet.
blurredadjectiveUS /blɜːrd/
indistinct or hazy in outline
From this reading Having before deciphered the often blurred writing on the old paper, Jannet was commissioned to read the messages to her uncle and cousin in the library.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Mr. Van Meter had given direction that all entrances should be closed and that the affair should not be made the matter of gossip.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She did so, and they lost none of their point by being read by the still excited Jannet.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading But Mr. Van Meter had given direction that all entrances should be closed and that the affair should not be made the matter of gossip.
commissionedadjectiveUS /kəˈmɪʃənd/
(of military officers) holding by virtue of a commission a rank of second lieutenant or ensign or above
From this reading Having before deciphered the often blurred writing on the old paper, Jannet was commissioned to read the messages to her uncle and cousin in the library.
the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Uncle Pieter and Cousin Andy were no less interested than Janet in the notes which she had found in the secret room, now no longer a secret from the family.
decipheredadjectiveUS /dɪˈsaɪfərd/
converted from cryptic to intelligible language
From this reading Having before deciphered the often blurred writing on the old paper, Jannet was commissioned to read the messages to her uncle and cousin in the library.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She did so, and they lost none of their point by being read by the still excited Jannet.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading But Mr. Van Meter had given direction that all entrances should be closed and that the affair should not be made the matter of gossip.
entrancesnounUS /ˈentrənsəz/
plural of “entrance” — something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading But Mr. Van Meter had given direction that all entrances should be closed and that the affair should not be made the matter of gossip.
(of persons) excessively affected by emotion
From this reading She did so, and they lost none of their point by being read by the still excited Jannet.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading She had often been told at school that she read with expression, but she did not see the approving, smiling glance with which her uncle looked at her cousin, as she read.
a social unit living together
From this reading UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Uncle Pieter and Cousin Andy were no less interested than Janet in the notes which she had found in the secret room, now no longer a secret from the family.
set up or found
From this reading UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Uncle Pieter and Cousin Andy were no less interested than Janet in the notes which she had found in the secret room, now no longer a secret from the family.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Uncle Pieter and Cousin Andy were no less interested than Janet in the notes which she had found in the secret room, now no longer a secret from the family.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading But Mr. Van Meter had given direction that all entrances should be closed and that the affair should not be made the matter of gossip.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading She had often been told at school that she read with expression, but she did not see the approving, smiling glance with which her uncle looked at her cousin, as she read.
gossipnounUS /ˈɡɑːsəp/
light informal conversation for social occasions
From this reading But Mr. Van Meter had given direction that all entrances should be closed and that the affair should not be made the matter of gossip.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Uncle Pieter and Cousin Andy were no less interested than Janet in the notes which she had found in the secret room, now no longer a secret from the family.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having before deciphered the often blurred writing on the old paper, Jannet was commissioned to read the messages to her uncle and cousin in the library.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Having before deciphered the often blurred writing on the old paper, Jannet was commissioned to read the messages to her uncle and cousin in the library.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Uncle Pieter and Cousin Andy were no less interested than Janet in the notes which she had found in the secret room, now no longer a secret from the family.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Uncle Pieter and Cousin Andy were no less interested than Janet in the notes which she had found in the secret room, now no longer a secret from the family.
Janet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Uncle Pieter and Cousin Andy were no less interested than Janet in the notes which she had found in the secret room, now no longer a secret from the family.
Jannet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having before deciphered the often blurred writing on the old paper, Jannet was commissioned to read the messages to her uncle and cousin in the library.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Uncle Pieter and Cousin Andy were no less interested than Janet in the notes which she had found in the secret room, now no longer a secret from the family.
a room where books are kept
From this reading Having before deciphered the often blurred writing on the old paper, Jannet was commissioned to read the messages to her uncle and cousin in the library.
for more time
From this reading UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Uncle Pieter and Cousin Andy were no less interested than Janet in the notes which she had found in the secret room, now no longer a secret from the family.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She had often been told at school that she read with expression, but she did not see the approving, smiling glance with which her uncle looked at her cousin, as she read.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading She did so, and they lost none of their point by being read by the still excited Jannet.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading But Mr. Van Meter had given direction that all entrances should be closed and that the affair should not be made the matter of gossip.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading But Mr. Van Meter had given direction that all entrances should be closed and that the affair should not be made the matter of gossip.
messagesnounUS /ˈmesədʒəz/
plural of “message” — a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading Having before deciphered the often blurred writing on the old paper, Jannet was commissioned to read the messages to her uncle and cousin in the library.
MeternounUS /ˈmiːtər/
the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
From this reading But Mr. Van Meter had given direction that all entrances should be closed and that the affair should not be made the matter of gossip.
a form of address for a man
From this reading But Mr. Van Meter had given direction that all entrances should be closed and that the affair should not be made the matter of gossip.
MYSTERIESnounUS /ˈmɪstəriz/
plural of “mystery” — something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Uncle Pieter and Cousin Andy were no less interested than Janet in the notes which she had found in the secret room, now no longer a secret from the family.
not any; not one
From this reading UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Uncle Pieter and Cousin Andy were no less interested than Janet in the notes which she had found in the secret room, now no longer a secret from the family.
not one, and not any
From this reading She did so, and they lost none of their point by being read by the still excited Jannet.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But Mr. Van Meter had given direction that all entrances should be closed and that the affair should not be made the matter of gossip.
plural of “note” — a brief written record
From this reading UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Uncle Pieter and Cousin Andy were no less interested than Janet in the notes which she had found in the secret room, now no longer a secret from the family.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Uncle Pieter and Cousin Andy were no less interested than Janet in the notes which she had found in the secret room, now no longer a secret from the family.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But Mr. Van Meter had given direction that all entrances should be closed and that the affair should not be made the matter of gossip.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Having before deciphered the often blurred writing on the old paper, Jannet was commissioned to read the messages to her uncle and cousin in the library.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Having before deciphered the often blurred writing on the old paper, Jannet was commissioned to read the messages to her uncle and cousin in the library.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Having before deciphered the often blurred writing on the old paper, Jannet was commissioned to read the messages to her uncle and cousin in the library.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading Having before deciphered the often blurred writing on the old paper, Jannet was commissioned to read the messages to her uncle and cousin in the library.
Pieter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Uncle Pieter and Cousin Andy were no less interested than Janet in the notes which she had found in the secret room, now no longer a secret from the family.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading She did so, and they lost none of their point by being read by the still excited Jannet.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Having before deciphered the often blurred writing on the old paper, Jannet was commissioned to read the messages to her uncle and cousin in the library.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Uncle Pieter and Cousin Andy were no less interested than Janet in the notes which she had found in the secret room, now no longer a secret from the family.
an educational institution
From this reading She had often been told at school that she read with expression, but she did not see the approving, smiling glance with which her uncle looked at her cousin, as she read.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Uncle Pieter and Cousin Andy were no less interested than Janet in the notes which she had found in the secret room, now no longer a secret from the family.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading She had often been told at school that she read with expression, but she did not see the approving, smiling glance with which her uncle looked at her cousin, as she read.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Uncle Pieter and Cousin Andy were no less interested than Janet in the notes which she had found in the secret room, now no longer a secret from the family.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading But Mr. Van Meter had given direction that all entrances should be closed and that the affair should not be made the matter of gossip.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading She had often been told at school that she read with expression, but she did not see the approving, smiling glance with which her uncle looked at her cousin, as she read.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She did so, and they lost none of their point by being read by the still excited Jannet.
not in physical motion
From this reading She did so, and they lost none of their point by being read by the still excited Jannet.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Uncle Pieter and Cousin Andy were no less interested than Janet in the notes which she had found in the secret room, now no longer a secret from the family.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But Mr. Van Meter had given direction that all entrances should be closed and that the affair should not be made the matter of gossip.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Uncle Pieter and Cousin Andy were no less interested than Janet in the notes which she had found in the secret room, now no longer a secret from the family.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading She did so, and they lost none of their point by being read by the still excited Jannet.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She did so, and they lost none of their point by being read by the still excited Jannet.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Having before deciphered the often blurred writing on the old paper, Jannet was commissioned to read the messages to her uncle and cousin in the library.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading She had often been told at school that she read with expression, but she did not see the approving, smiling glance with which her uncle looked at her cousin, as she read.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Uncle Pieter and Cousin Andy were no less interested than Janet in the notes which she had found in the secret room, now no longer a secret from the family.
UNRAVELINGverbUS /ənˈrævəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “unravel” — become or cause to become undone by separating the fibers or threads of
From this reading UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Uncle Pieter and Cousin Andy were no less interested than Janet in the notes which she had found in the secret room, now no longer a secret from the family.
any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)
From this reading But Mr. Van Meter had given direction that all entrances should be closed and that the affair should not be made the matter of gossip.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Having before deciphered the often blurred writing on the old paper, Jannet was commissioned to read the messages to her uncle and cousin in the library.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Uncle Pieter and Cousin Andy were no less interested than Janet in the notes which she had found in the secret room, now no longer a secret from the family.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Uncle Pieter and Cousin Andy were no less interested than Janet in the notes which she had found in the secret room, now no longer a secret from the family.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She had often been told at school that she read with expression, but she did not see the approving, smiling glance with which her uncle looked at her cousin, as she read.
the act of creating written works
From this reading Having before deciphered the often blurred writing on the old paper, Jannet was commissioned to read the messages to her uncle and cousin in the library.
