Chapter XV · A Startling Discovery

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

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading "Well, I hear they'll not be able to prove the dagger in Desmond's possession was the one used," said Marton, "good for poor old Myles--hey!"

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The young man appeared to be genuinely sorry that his evidence about meeting Desmond in St. James' Street should be used against him.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The young man appeared to be genuinely sorry that his evidence about meeting Desmond in St. James' Street should be used against him.

(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 Perhaps among all his friends Myles had no warmer supporter than Spencer Ellersby.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Perhaps among all his friends Myles had no warmer supporter than Spencer Ellersby.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The young man appeared to be genuinely sorry that his evidence about meeting Desmond in St. James' Street should be used against him.

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

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

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

From this reading The young man appeared to be genuinely sorry that his evidence about meeting Desmond in St. James' Street should be used against him.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

a cruelly rapacious person

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

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

From this reading "I think it's d--d rubbish, the whole thing," retorted Ellersby, hotly; "what the deuce should Myles kill this woman for, she was nothing to him; more likely Calliston knows more about it."

a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents rickets

From this reading "I think it's d--d rubbish, the whole thing," retorted Ellersby, hotly; "what the deuce should Myles kill this woman for, she was nothing to him; more likely Calliston knows more about it."

A short knife with a pointed and edged blade, used as a stealth weapon.

From this reading "Well, I hear they'll not be able to prove the dagger in Desmond's possession was the one used," said Marton, "good for poor old Myles--hey!"

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

From this reading The young man appeared to be genuinely sorry that his evidence about meeting Desmond in St. James' Street should be used against him.

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

From this reading "Well, I hear they'll not be able to prove the dagger in Desmond's possession was the one used," said Marton, "good for poor old Myles--hey!"

a police officer who investigates crimes

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

a tie in tennis or table tennis that requires winning two successive points to win the game

From this reading "I think it's d--d rubbish, the whole thing," retorted Ellersby, hotly; "what the deuce should Myles kill this woman for, she was nothing to him; more likely Calliston knows more about it."

a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

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

From this reading Perhaps among all his friends Myles had no warmer supporter than Spencer Ellersby.

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief

From this reading The young man appeared to be genuinely sorry that his evidence about meeting Desmond in St. James' Street should be used against him.

a boy or man

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "Well, I hear they'll not be able to prove the dagger in Desmond's possession was the one used," said Marton, "good for poor old Myles--hey!"

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Perhaps among all his friends Myles had no warmer supporter than Spencer Ellersby.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading The young man appeared to be genuinely sorry that his evidence about meeting Desmond in St. James' Street should be used against him.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading "Well, I hear they'll not be able to prove the dagger in Desmond's possession was the one used," said Marton, "good for poor old Myles--hey!"

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

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

From this reading Perhaps among all his friends Myles had no warmer supporter than Spencer Ellersby.

be suspended or hanging

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading "Well, I hear they'll not be able to prove the dagger in Desmond's possession was the one used," said Marton, "good for poor old Myles--hey!"

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

From this reading "Well, I hear they'll not be able to prove the dagger in Desmond's possession was the one used," said Marton, "good for poor old Myles--hey!"

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The young man appeared to be genuinely sorry that his evidence about meeting Desmond in St. James' Street should be used against him.

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

From this reading Perhaps among all his friends Myles had no warmer supporter than Spencer Ellersby.

in a heated manner

From this reading "I think it's d--d rubbish, the whole thing," retorted Ellersby, hotly; "what the deuce should Myles kill this woman for, she was nothing to him; more likely Calliston knows more about it."

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

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

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

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

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

From this reading The young man appeared to be genuinely sorry that his evidence about meeting Desmond in St. James' Street should be used against him.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

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

From this reading "I think it's d--d rubbish, the whole thing," retorted Ellersby, hotly; "what the deuce should Myles kill this woman for, she was nothing to him; more likely Calliston knows more about it."

a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)

From this reading The young man appeared to be genuinely sorry that his evidence about meeting Desmond in St. James' Street should be used against him.

cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading "I think it's d--d rubbish, the whole thing," retorted Ellersby, hotly; "what the deuce should Myles kill this woman for, she was nothing to him; more likely Calliston knows more about it."

past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

apprehended with certainty

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people

From this reading "I think it's d--d rubbish, the whole thing," retorted Ellersby, hotly; "what the deuce should Myles kill this woman for, she was nothing to him; more likely Calliston knows more about it."

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading "I think it's d--d rubbish, the whole thing," retorted Ellersby, hotly; "what the deuce should Myles kill this woman for, she was nothing to him; more likely Calliston knows more about it."

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The young man appeared to be genuinely sorry that his evidence about meeting Desmond in St. James' Street should be used against him.

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

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading The young man appeared to be genuinely sorry that his evidence about meeting Desmond in St. James' Street should be used against him.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading "I think it's d--d rubbish, the whole thing," retorted Ellersby, hotly; "what the deuce should Myles kill this woman for, she was nothing to him; more likely Calliston knows more about it."

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

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

From this reading Perhaps among all his friends Myles had no warmer supporter than Spencer Ellersby.

not any; not one

From this reading Perhaps among all his friends Myles had no warmer supporter than Spencer Ellersby.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

not one thing; not anything

From this reading "I think it's d--d rubbish, the whole thing," retorted Ellersby, hotly; "what the deuce should Myles kill this woman for, she was nothing to him; more likely Calliston knows more about it."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading "Well, I hear they'll not be able to prove the dagger in Desmond's possession was the one used," said Marton, "good for poor old Myles--hey!"

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "Well, I hear they'll not be able to prove the dagger in Desmond's possession was the one used," said Marton, "good for poor old Myles--hey!"

and nothing more

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

by chance

From this reading Perhaps among all his friends Myles had no warmer supporter than Spencer Ellersby.

plural of “pickle” — vegetables (especially cucumbers) preserved in brine or vinegar

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading "Well, I hear they'll not be able to prove the dagger in Desmond's possession was the one used," said Marton, "good for poor old Myles--hey!"

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading "Well, I hear they'll not be able to prove the dagger in Desmond's possession was the one used," said Marton, "good for poor old Myles--hey!"

be shown or be found to be

From this reading "Well, I hear they'll not be able to prove the dagger in Desmond's possession was the one used," said Marton, "good for poor old Myles--hey!"

past form of “retort” — answer back

From this reading "I think it's d--d rubbish, the whole thing," retorted Ellersby, hotly; "what the deuce should Myles kill this woman for, she was nothing to him; more likely Calliston knows more about it."

worthless material that is to be disposed of

From this reading "I think it's d--d rubbish, the whole thing," retorted Ellersby, hotly; "what the deuce should Myles kill this woman for, she was nothing to him; more likely Calliston knows more about it."

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "I think it's d--d rubbish, the whole thing," retorted Ellersby, hotly; "what the deuce should Myles kill this woman for, she was nothing to him; more likely Calliston knows more about it."

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading The young man appeared to be genuinely sorry that his evidence about meeting Desmond in St. James' Street should be used against him.

in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone

From this reading The young man appeared to be genuinely sorry that his evidence about meeting Desmond in St. James' Street should be used against him.

English philosopher and sociologist who applied the theory of natural selection to human societies (1820-1903)

From this reading Perhaps among all his friends Myles had no warmer supporter than Spencer Ellersby.

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

From this reading The young man appeared to be genuinely sorry that his evidence about meeting Desmond in St. James' Street should be used against him.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading The young man appeared to be genuinely sorry that his evidence about meeting Desmond in St. James' Street should be used against him.

a person who backs a politician or a team etc.

From this reading Perhaps among all his friends Myles had no warmer supporter than Spencer Ellersby.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Perhaps among all his friends Myles had no warmer supporter than Spencer Ellersby.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The young man appeared to be genuinely sorry that his evidence about meeting Desmond in St. James' Street should be used against him.

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

From this reading The young man appeared to be genuinely sorry that his evidence about meeting Desmond in St. James' Street should be used against him.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

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

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

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

From this reading "Well, I hear they'll not be able to prove the dagger in Desmond's possession was the one used," said Marton, "good for poor old Myles--hey!"

a special situation

From this reading "I think it's d--d rubbish, the whole thing," retorted Ellersby, hotly; "what the deuce should Myles kill this woman for, she was nothing to him; more likely Calliston knows more about it."

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading "I think it's d--d rubbish, the whole thing," retorted Ellersby, hotly; "what the deuce should Myles kill this woman for, she was nothing to him; more likely Calliston knows more about it."

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

From this reading "I think it's d--d rubbish, the whole thing," retorted Ellersby, hotly; "what the deuce should Myles kill this woman for, she was nothing to him; more likely Calliston knows more about it."

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

From this reading The young man appeared to be genuinely sorry that his evidence about meeting Desmond in St. James' Street should be used against him.

having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading The young man appeared to be genuinely sorry that his evidence about meeting Desmond in St. James' Street should be used against him.

device that heats water or supplies warmth to a room

From this reading Perhaps among all his friends Myles had no warmer supporter than Spencer Ellersby.

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

From this reading "Well, I hear they'll not be able to prove the dagger in Desmond's possession was the one used," said Marton, "good for poor old Myles--hey!"

(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, I hear they'll not be able to prove the dagger in Desmond's possession was the one used," said Marton, "good for poor old Myles--hey!"

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

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "I think it's d--d rubbish, the whole thing," retorted Ellersby, hotly; "what the deuce should Myles kill this woman for, she was nothing to him; more likely Calliston knows more about it."

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading "I think it's d--d rubbish, the whole thing," retorted Ellersby, hotly; "what the deuce should Myles kill this woman for, she was nothing to him; more likely Calliston knows more about it."

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading "I think it's d--d rubbish, the whole thing," retorted Ellersby, hotly; "what the deuce should Myles kill this woman for, she was nothing to him; more likely Calliston knows more about it."

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

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

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Hang it!" he said to Marton, as they were seated at their club, "if I had only known how it would have been twisted, I'd not have said a word, but that detective fellow got it out of me somehow--brute of a fellow--killed my dog, you know, Pickles."

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading The young man appeared to be genuinely sorry that his evidence about meeting Desmond in St. James' Street should be used against him.