AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A PROMISING CLUE The consideration which had thus suddenly occurred to Inspector Willis was the extraordinary importance of the fact that the tall traveller had spoken through the tube to the driver.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To speak through a taxi tube one must hold up the mouthpiece, and that mouthpiece is usually made of vulcanite or some similar substance.
anxiouslyadverbUS /ˈæŋkʃəsli/
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading What better surface, Willis thought delightedly but anxiously, could be found for recording finger-prints?
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading What better surface, Willis thought delightedly but anxiously, could be found for recording finger-prints?
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading What better surface, Willis thought delightedly but anxiously, could be found for recording finger-prints?
blunderverbUS /ˈblʌndər/
commit a faux pas or a fault or make a serious mistake
From this reading If only the tall man had made the blunder of omitting to wear gloves, he would have left evidence which might hang him!
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading What better surface, Willis thought delightedly but anxiously, could be found for recording finger-prints?
CLUEnounUS /kluː/
a slight indication
From this reading A PROMISING CLUE The consideration which had thus suddenly occurred to Inspector Willis was the extraordinary importance of the fact that the tall traveller had spoken through the tube to the driver.
considerationnounUS /kənˌsɪdərˈeɪʃən/
the process of giving careful thought to something
From this reading A PROMISING CLUE The consideration which had thus suddenly occurred to Inspector Willis was the extraordinary importance of the fact that the tall traveller had spoken through the tube to the driver.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He marveled how he could have overlooked its significance.
delightedlyadverb
with delight
From this reading What better surface, Willis thought delightedly but anxiously, could be found for recording finger-prints?
drivernounUS /ˈdraɪvər/
the operator of a motor vehicle
From this reading A PROMISING CLUE The consideration which had thus suddenly occurred to Inspector Willis was the extraordinary importance of the fact that the tall traveller had spoken through the tube to the driver.
evidencenounUS /ˈevədəns/
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading If only the tall man had made the blunder of omitting to wear gloves, he would have left evidence which might hang him!
extraordinaryadjectiveUS /ˌekstrəˈɔːrdəneri/
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading A PROMISING CLUE The consideration which had thus suddenly occurred to Inspector Willis was the extraordinary importance of the fact that the tall traveller had spoken through the tube to the driver.
factnounUS /fækt/
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading A PROMISING CLUE The consideration which had thus suddenly occurred to Inspector Willis was the extraordinary importance of the fact that the tall traveller had spoken through the tube to the driver.
finger-prints
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What better surface, Willis thought delightedly but anxiously, could be found for recording finger-prints?
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading What better surface, Willis thought delightedly but anxiously, could be found for recording finger-prints?
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading What better surface, Willis thought delightedly but anxiously, could be found for recording finger-prints?
glovesnounUS /ɡlʌvz/
plural of “glove” — the handwear used by fielders in playing baseball
From this reading If only the tall man had made the blunder of omitting to wear gloves, he would have left evidence which might hang him!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A PROMISING CLUE The consideration which had thus suddenly occurred to Inspector Willis was the extraordinary importance of the fact that the tall traveller had spoken through the tube to the driver.
hangverbUS /hæŋ/
be suspended or hanging
From this reading If only the tall man had made the blunder of omitting to wear gloves, he would have left evidence which might hang him!
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He marveled how he could have overlooked its significance.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He marveled how he could have overlooked its significance.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If only the tall man had made the blunder of omitting to wear gloves, he would have left evidence which might hang him!
holdverbUS /hoʊld/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading To speak through a taxi tube one must hold up the mouthpiece, and that mouthpiece is usually made of vulcanite or some similar substance.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He marveled how he could have overlooked its significance.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If only the tall man had made the blunder of omitting to wear gloves, he would have left evidence which might hang him!
importancenounUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtəns/
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading A PROMISING CLUE The consideration which had thus suddenly occurred to Inspector Willis was the extraordinary importance of the fact that the tall traveller had spoken through the tube to the driver.
InspectornounUS /ˌɪnˈspektər/
a high ranking police officer
From this reading A PROMISING CLUE The consideration which had thus suddenly occurred to Inspector Willis was the extraordinary importance of the fact that the tall traveller had spoken through the tube to the driver.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To speak through a taxi tube one must hold up the mouthpiece, and that mouthpiece is usually made of vulcanite or some similar substance.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He marveled how he could have overlooked its significance.
leftnounUS /left/
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading If only the tall man had made the blunder of omitting to wear gloves, he would have left evidence which might hang him!
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading To speak through a taxi tube one must hold up the mouthpiece, and that mouthpiece is usually made of vulcanite or some similar substance.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading If only the tall man had made the blunder of omitting to wear gloves, he would have left evidence which might hang him!
marveledverbUS /ˈmɑːrveld/
past form of “marvel” — be amazed at
From this reading He marveled how he could have overlooked its significance.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading If only the tall man had made the blunder of omitting to wear gloves, he would have left evidence which might hang him!
mouthpiecenounUS /ˈmaʊθpiːs/
a part that goes over or into the mouth of a person
From this reading To speak through a taxi tube one must hold up the mouthpiece, and that mouthpiece is usually made of vulcanite or some similar substance.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading To speak through a taxi tube one must hold up the mouthpiece, and that mouthpiece is usually made of vulcanite or some similar substance.
occurredverbUS /əˈkɜːrd/
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading A PROMISING CLUE The consideration which had thus suddenly occurred to Inspector Willis was the extraordinary importance of the fact that the tall traveller had spoken through the tube to the driver.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A PROMISING CLUE The consideration which had thus suddenly occurred to Inspector Willis was the extraordinary importance of the fact that the tall traveller had spoken through the tube to the driver.
omittingverbUS /oʊˈmɪtɪŋ/
inflected form of “omit” — prevent from being included or considered or accepted
From this reading If only the tall man had made the blunder of omitting to wear gloves, he would have left evidence which might hang him!
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading To speak through a taxi tube one must hold up the mouthpiece, and that mouthpiece is usually made of vulcanite or some similar substance.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading If only the tall man had made the blunder of omitting to wear gloves, he would have left evidence which might hang him!
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading To speak through a taxi tube one must hold up the mouthpiece, and that mouthpiece is usually made of vulcanite or some similar substance.
overlookedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərlʊkt/
not taken into account
From this reading He marveled how he could have overlooked its significance.
PROMISINGadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːməsɪŋ/
showing possibility of achievement or excellence
From this reading A PROMISING CLUE The consideration which had thus suddenly occurred to Inspector Willis was the extraordinary importance of the fact that the tall traveller had spoken through the tube to the driver.
recordingnounUS /rəˈkɔːrdɪŋ/
a signal that encodes something (e.g., picture or sound) that has been recorded
From this reading What better surface, Willis thought delightedly but anxiously, could be found for recording finger-prints?
significancenounUS /səɡˈnɪfɪkəns/
the quality of being significant
From this reading He marveled how he could have overlooked its significance.
similaradjectiveUS /ˈsɪmələr/
marked by correspondence or resemblance
From this reading To speak through a taxi tube one must hold up the mouthpiece, and that mouthpiece is usually made of vulcanite or some similar substance.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading To speak through a taxi tube one must hold up the mouthpiece, and that mouthpiece is usually made of vulcanite or some similar substance.
speakverbUS /spiːk/
express in speech
From this reading To speak through a taxi tube one must hold up the mouthpiece, and that mouthpiece is usually made of vulcanite or some similar substance.
spokenadjectiveUS /ˈspoʊkən/
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading A PROMISING CLUE The consideration which had thus suddenly occurred to Inspector Willis was the extraordinary importance of the fact that the tall traveller had spoken through the tube to the driver.
substancenounUS /ˈsʌbstəns/
the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists
From this reading To speak through a taxi tube one must hold up the mouthpiece, and that mouthpiece is usually made of vulcanite or some similar substance.
suddenlyadverbUS /ˈsʌdənli/
happening unexpectedly
From this reading A PROMISING CLUE The consideration which had thus suddenly occurred to Inspector Willis was the extraordinary importance of the fact that the tall traveller had spoken through the tube to the driver.
surfacenounUS /ˈsɜːrfəs/
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading What better surface, Willis thought delightedly but anxiously, could be found for recording finger-prints?
talladjectiveUS /tɔːl/
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading A PROMISING CLUE The consideration which had thus suddenly occurred to Inspector Willis was the extraordinary importance of the fact that the tall traveller had spoken through the tube to the driver.
taxiverbUS /ˈtæksi/
travel slowly
From this reading To speak through a taxi tube one must hold up the mouthpiece, and that mouthpiece is usually made of vulcanite or some similar substance.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A PROMISING CLUE The consideration which had thus suddenly occurred to Inspector Willis was the extraordinary importance of the fact that the tall traveller had spoken through the tube to the driver.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A PROMISING CLUE The consideration which had thus suddenly occurred to Inspector Willis was the extraordinary importance of the fact that the tall traveller had spoken through the tube to the driver.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading What better surface, Willis thought delightedly but anxiously, could be found for recording finger-prints?
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A PROMISING CLUE The consideration which had thus suddenly occurred to Inspector Willis was the extraordinary importance of the fact that the tall traveller had spoken through the tube to the driver.
thusadverbUS /ðʌs/
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading A PROMISING CLUE The consideration which had thus suddenly occurred to Inspector Willis was the extraordinary importance of the fact that the tall traveller had spoken through the tube to the driver.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A PROMISING CLUE The consideration which had thus suddenly occurred to Inspector Willis was the extraordinary importance of the fact that the tall traveller had spoken through the tube to the driver.
travellernounUS /ˈtrævələr/
a person who changes location
From this reading A PROMISING CLUE The consideration which had thus suddenly occurred to Inspector Willis was the extraordinary importance of the fact that the tall traveller had spoken through the tube to the driver.
tubenounUS /tuːb/
conduit consisting of a long hollow object (usually cylindrical) used to hold and conduct objects or liquids or gases
From this reading A PROMISING CLUE The consideration which had thus suddenly occurred to Inspector Willis was the extraordinary importance of the fact that the tall traveller had spoken through the tube to the driver.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading To speak through a taxi tube one must hold up the mouthpiece, and that mouthpiece is usually made of vulcanite or some similar substance.
usuallyadverbUS /ˈjuːʒəwəli/
under normal conditions
From this reading To speak through a taxi tube one must hold up the mouthpiece, and that mouthpiece is usually made of vulcanite or some similar substance.
vulcanitenoun
a hard nonresilient rubber formed by vulcanizing natural rubber
From this reading To speak through a taxi tube one must hold up the mouthpiece, and that mouthpiece is usually made of vulcanite or some similar substance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A PROMISING CLUE The consideration which had thus suddenly occurred to Inspector Willis was the extraordinary importance of the fact that the tall traveller had spoken through the tube to the driver.
wearverbUS /wer/
be dressed in
From this reading If only the tall man had made the blunder of omitting to wear gloves, he would have left evidence which might hang him!
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What better surface, Willis thought delightedly but anxiously, could be found for recording finger-prints?
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A PROMISING CLUE The consideration which had thus suddenly occurred to Inspector Willis was the extraordinary importance of the fact that the tall traveller had spoken through the tube to the driver.
WillisnounUS /ˈwɪlɪs/
English physician who was a pioneer in the study of the brain (1621-1675)
From this reading A PROMISING CLUE The consideration which had thus suddenly occurred to Inspector Willis was the extraordinary importance of the fact that the tall traveller had spoken through the tube to the driver.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If only the tall man had made the blunder of omitting to wear gloves, he would have left evidence which might hang him!
