adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
AlmostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was what is commonly known as a safe man, not exactly brilliant, but plodding and tenacious to an extraordinary degree.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was what is commonly known as a safe man, not exactly brilliant, but plodding and tenacious to an extraordinary degree.
approximateverbUS /əˈprɑːksəmət/
be close or similar
From this reading His forte was slight clues, and he possessed that infinite capacity for taking pains which made his following up of them approximate to genius.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was what is commonly known as a safe man, not exactly brilliant, but plodding and tenacious to an extraordinary degree.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
blueadjectiveUS /bluː/
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
brilliantadjectiveUS /ˈbrɪljənt/
of surpassing excellence
From this reading He was what is commonly known as a safe man, not exactly brilliant, but plodding and tenacious to an extraordinary degree.
Brixton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
burlyadjectiveUS /ˈbɜːrli/
muscular and heavily built
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was what is commonly known as a safe man, not exactly brilliant, but plodding and tenacious to an extraordinary degree.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
callverbUS /kɔːl/
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/
capability to perform or produce
From this reading His forte was slight clues, and he possessed that infinite capacity for taking pains which made his following up of them approximate to genius.
clean-shavenadjective
closely shaved recently
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
cluesnounUS /kluːz/
plural of “clue” — a slight indication
From this reading His forte was slight clues, and he possessed that infinite capacity for taking pains which made his following up of them approximate to genius.
commonlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːmənli/
under normal conditions
From this reading He was what is commonly known as a safe man, not exactly brilliant, but plodding and tenacious to an extraordinary degree.
CriminaladjectiveUS /ˈkrɪmənəl/
bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
degreenounUS /dɪˈɡriː/
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading He was what is commonly known as a safe man, not exactly brilliant, but plodding and tenacious to an extraordinary degree.
DepartmentnounUS /dɪˈpɑːrtmənt/
a specialized division of a large organization
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
eightadjectiveUS /eɪt/
being one more than seven
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
exactlyadverbUS /ɪɡˈzæktli/
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
expressionlessadjectiveUS /ɪkspreʃənlɪs/
deliberately impassive in manner
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
extraordinaryadjectiveUS /ˌekstrəˈɔːrdəneri/
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading He was what is commonly known as a safe man, not exactly brilliant, but plodding and tenacious to an extraordinary degree.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
featuresnounUS /ˈfiːtʃərz/
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
fifteennounUS /fɪfˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
five-and-forty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading His forte was slight clues, and he possessed that infinite capacity for taking pains which made his following up of them approximate to genius.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His forte was slight clues, and he possessed that infinite capacity for taking pains which made his following up of them approximate to genius.
fortenounUS /ˈfɔːrteɪ/
an asset of special worth or utility
From this reading His forte was slight clues, and he possessed that infinite capacity for taking pains which made his following up of them approximate to genius.
geniusnounUS /ˈdʒiːnjəs/
someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality
From this reading His forte was slight clues, and he possessed that infinite capacity for taking pains which made his following up of them approximate to genius.
GeorgenounUS /dʒɔːrdʒ/
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was what is commonly known as a safe man, not exactly brilliant, but plodding and tenacious to an extraordinary degree.
heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
hoursnounUS /ˈaʊərz/
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
infiniteadjectiveUS /ˈɪnfənət/
having no limits or boundaries in time or space or extent or magnitude
From this reading His forte was slight clues, and he possessed that infinite capacity for taking pains which made his following up of them approximate to genius.
InspectornounUS /ˌɪnˈspektər/
a high ranking police officer
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
InvestigationnounUS /ˌɪnvestəˈɡeɪʃən/
an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was what is commonly known as a safe man, not exactly brilliant, but plodding and tenacious to an extraordinary degree.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
keenestadjectiveUS /ˈkiːnəst/
superlative of “keen” — having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/
apprehended with certainty
From this reading He was what is commonly known as a safe man, not exactly brilliant, but plodding and tenacious to an extraordinary degree.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
Merriman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
MURDERverbUS /ˈmɜːrdər/
kill intentionally and with premeditation
From this reading MURDER!
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
painsnounUS /peɪnz/
an effortful attempt to attain a goal
From this reading His forte was slight clues, and he possessed that infinite capacity for taking pains which made his following up of them approximate to genius.
pairnounUS /per/
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
ploddingnounUS /ˈplɑːdɪŋ/
hard monotonous routine work
From this reading He was what is commonly known as a safe man, not exactly brilliant, but plodding and tenacious to an extraordinary degree.
possessedadjectiveUS /pəˈzest/
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading His forte was slight clues, and he possessed that infinite capacity for taking pains which made his following up of them approximate to genius.
previousadjectiveUS /ˈpriːviəs/
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
redeemedadjectiveUS /rɪˈdiːmd/
saved from the bondage of sin
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
safeadjectiveUS /seɪf/
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading He was what is commonly known as a safe man, not exactly brilliant, but plodding and tenacious to an extraordinary degree.
ScotlandnounUS /ˈskɑːtlənd/
one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
sitting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
slightnounUS /slaɪt/
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading His forte was slight clues, and he possessed that infinite capacity for taking pains which made his following up of them approximate to genius.
smokingnounUS /ˈsmoʊkɪŋ/
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
somewhatadverbUS /ˈsʌmˈwʌt/
to a small degree or extent
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
stupidadjectiveUS /ˈstuːpəd/
lacking or marked by lack of intellectual acuity
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
takingnounUS /ˈteɪkɪŋ/
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading His forte was slight clues, and he possessed that infinite capacity for taking pains which made his following up of them approximate to genius.
talladjectiveUS /tɔːl/
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
tenaciousadjectiveUS /təˈneɪʃəs/
good at remembering
From this reading He was what is commonly known as a safe man, not exactly brilliant, but plodding and tenacious to an extraordinary degree.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His forte was slight clues, and he possessed that infinite capacity for taking pains which made his following up of them approximate to genius.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading His forte was slight clues, and he possessed that infinite capacity for taking pains which made his following up of them approximate to genius.
tinyadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪni/
very small
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading His forte was slight clues, and he possessed that infinite capacity for taking pains which made his following up of them approximate to genius.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He was what is commonly known as a safe man, not exactly brilliant, but plodding and tenacious to an extraordinary degree.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
WillisnounUS /ˈwɪlɪs/
English physician who was a pioneer in the study of the brain (1621-1675)
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
witnounUS /wɪt/
a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading George Willis was a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with heavy, clean-shaven, expressionless features which would have made his face almost stupid, had it not been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
YardnounUS /jɑːrd/
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman’s call at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o’clock on the previous evening, Inspector Willis of the Criminal Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-room of his tiny house in Brixton.
