AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A MYSTIFYING DISCOVERY Inspector Willis was more than interested in his new case.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 To begin with he had seen Hilliard secretly, and learned at first hand all that that young man could tell him.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
anxiousadjectiveUS /ˈæŋkʃəs/
eagerly desirous
From this reading Next he had made sure that the finger-prints found on the speaking tube were not those of Mr. Coburn, and he remained keenly anxious to obtain impressions from Captain Beamish’s fingers to compare with the former.
arouseverbUS /ərˈaʊz/
call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading To begin with he had seen Hilliard secretly, and learned at first hand all that that young man could tell him.
attachverbUS /əˈtætʃ/
cause to be attached
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
Beamish's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next he had made sure that the finger-prints found on the speaking tube were not those of Mr. Coburn, and he remained keenly anxious to obtain impressions from Captain Beamish’s fingers to compare with the former.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had not been idle since the day of the inquest, now a week past.
beginverbUS /bɪˈɡɪn/
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading To begin with he had seen Hilliard secretly, and learned at first hand all that that young man could tell him.
CaptainnounUS /ˈkæptən/
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Next he had made sure that the finger-prints found on the speaking tube were not those of Mr. Coburn, and he remained keenly anxious to obtain impressions from Captain Beamish’s fingers to compare with the former.
careernounUS /kərˈɪr/
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
casenounUS /keɪs/
an occurrence of something
From this reading A MYSTIFYING DISCOVERY Inspector Willis was more than interested in his new case.
certainlyadverbUS /ˈsɜːrtənli/
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
Coburn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next he had made sure that the finger-prints found on the speaking tube were not those of Mr. Coburn, and he remained keenly anxious to obtain impressions from Captain Beamish’s fingers to compare with the former.
compareverbUS /kəmˈper/
examine and note the similarities or differences of
From this reading Next he had made sure that the finger-prints found on the speaking tube were not those of Mr. Coburn, and he remained keenly anxious to obtain impressions from Captain Beamish’s fingers to compare with the former.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading To begin with he had seen Hilliard secretly, and learned at first hand all that that young man could tell him.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading He had not been idle since the day of the inquest, now a week past.
DISCOVERYnounUS /dɪˈskʌvəri/
the act of discovering something
From this reading A MYSTIFYING DISCOVERY Inspector Willis was more than interested in his new case.
dramaticadjectiveUS /drəˈmætɪk/
suitable to or characteristic of drama
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
finger-prints
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next he had made sure that the finger-prints found on the speaking tube were not those of Mr. Coburn, and he remained keenly anxious to obtain impressions from Captain Beamish’s fingers to compare with the former.
fingersnounUS /ˈfɪŋɡərz/
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Next he had made sure that the finger-prints found on the speaking tube were not those of Mr. Coburn, and he remained keenly anxious to obtain impressions from Captain Beamish’s fingers to compare with the former.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading To begin with he had seen Hilliard secretly, and learned at first hand all that that young man could tell him.
formeradjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmər/
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading Next he had made sure that the finger-prints found on the speaking tube were not those of Mr. Coburn, and he remained keenly anxious to obtain impressions from Captain Beamish’s fingers to compare with the former.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading Next he had made sure that the finger-prints found on the speaking tube were not those of Mr. Coburn, and he remained keenly anxious to obtain impressions from Captain Beamish’s fingers to compare with the former.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Next he had made sure that the finger-prints found on the speaking tube were not those of Mr. Coburn, and he remained keenly anxious to obtain impressions from Captain Beamish’s fingers to compare with the former.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had not been idle since the day of the inquest, now a week past.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading To begin with he had seen Hilliard secretly, and learned at first hand all that that young man could tell him.
handlingnounUS /ˈhændlɪŋ/
manual (or mechanical) carrying or moving or delivering or working with something
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
Hilliard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To begin with he had seen Hilliard secretly, and learned at first hand all that that young man could tell him.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading To begin with he had seen Hilliard secretly, and learned at first hand all that that young man could tell him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A MYSTIFYING DISCOVERY Inspector Willis was more than interested in his new case.
idleadjectiveUS /ˈaɪdəl/
not in action or at work
From this reading He had not been idle since the day of the inquest, now a week past.
importancenounUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtəns/
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
impressionsnounUS /ˌɪmˈpreʃənz/
plural of “impression” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading Next he had made sure that the finger-prints found on the speaking tube were not those of Mr. Coburn, and he remained keenly anxious to obtain impressions from Captain Beamish’s fingers to compare with the former.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A MYSTIFYING DISCOVERY Inspector Willis was more than interested in his new case.
influencenounUS /ˈɪnfluːəns/
a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
inquestnounUS /ˈɪnkwest/
an inquiry into the cause of an unexpected death
From this reading He had not been idle since the day of the inquest, now a week past.
InspectornounUS /ˌɪnˈspektər/
a high ranking police officer
From this reading A MYSTIFYING DISCOVERY Inspector Willis was more than interested in his new case.
interestnounUS /ˈɪntrəst/
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
interestedadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəstɪd/
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading A MYSTIFYING DISCOVERY Inspector Willis was more than interested in his new case.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
keenlyadverbUS /ˈkiːnli/
in a keen or penetrating way
From this reading Next he had made sure that the finger-prints found on the speaking tube were not those of Mr. Coburn, and he remained keenly anxious to obtain impressions from Captain Beamish’s fingers to compare with the former.
learnedadjectiveUS /lɜːrnd/
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading To begin with he had seen Hilliard secretly, and learned at first hand all that that young man could tell him.
likelyadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪkli/
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Next he had made sure that the finger-prints found on the speaking tube were not those of Mr. Coburn, and he remained keenly anxious to obtain impressions from Captain Beamish’s fingers to compare with the former.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading To begin with he had seen Hilliard secretly, and learned at first hand all that that young man could tell him.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A MYSTIFYING DISCOVERY Inspector Willis was more than interested in his new case.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading Next he had made sure that the finger-prints found on the speaking tube were not those of Mr. Coburn, and he remained keenly anxious to obtain impressions from Captain Beamish’s fingers to compare with the former.
MYSTIFYINGadjectiveUS /ˈmɪstəfaɪɪŋ/
of an obscure nature
From this reading A MYSTIFYING DISCOVERY Inspector Willis was more than interested in his new case.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading A MYSTIFYING DISCOVERY Inspector Willis was more than interested in his new case.
NextadjectiveUS /nekst/
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Next he had made sure that the finger-prints found on the speaking tube were not those of Mr. Coburn, and he remained keenly anxious to obtain impressions from Captain Beamish’s fingers to compare with the former.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had not been idle since the day of the inquest, now a week past.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He had not been idle since the day of the inquest, now a week past.
obtainverbUS /əbˈteɪn/
come into possession of
From this reading Next he had made sure that the finger-prints found on the speaking tube were not those of Mr. Coburn, and he remained keenly anxious to obtain impressions from Captain Beamish’s fingers to compare with the former.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
pastnounUS /pæst/
the time that has elapsed
From this reading He had not been idle since the day of the inquest, now a week past.
possibilitiesnounUS /ˌpɑːsəˈbɪlətiz/
plural of “possibility” — a future prospect or potential
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
publicnounUS /ˈpʌblɪk/
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
realizedadjectiveUS /ˈriːəlaɪzd/
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
remainedverbUS /rɪˈmeɪnd/
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Next he had made sure that the finger-prints found on the speaking tube were not those of Mr. Coburn, and he remained keenly anxious to obtain impressions from Captain Beamish’s fingers to compare with the former.
secretlyadverbUS /ˈsiːkrɪtli/
in secrecy; not openly
From this reading To begin with he had seen Hilliard secretly, and learned at first hand all that that young man could tell him.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading To begin with he had seen Hilliard secretly, and learned at first hand all that that young man could tell him.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading He had not been idle since the day of the inquest, now a week past.
speakingnounUS /ˈspiːkɪŋ/
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading Next he had made sure that the finger-prints found on the speaking tube were not those of Mr. Coburn, and he remained keenly anxious to obtain impressions from Captain Beamish’s fingers to compare with the former.
successfuladjectiveUS /səkˈsesfəl/
having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
superiorsnounUS /suːˈpɪriərz/
plural of “superior” — one of greater rank or station or quality
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Next he had made sure that the finger-prints found on the speaking tube were not those of Mr. Coburn, and he remained keenly anxious to obtain impressions from Captain Beamish’s fingers to compare with the former.
tellverbUS /tel/
express in words
From this reading To begin with he had seen Hilliard secretly, and learned at first hand all that that young man could tell him.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A MYSTIFYING DISCOVERY Inspector Willis was more than interested in his new case.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To begin with he had seen Hilliard secretly, and learned at first hand all that that young man could tell him.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Next he had made sure that the finger-prints found on the speaking tube were not those of Mr. Coburn, and he remained keenly anxious to obtain impressions from Captain Beamish’s fingers to compare with the former.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
tubenounUS /tuːb/
conduit consisting of a long hollow object (usually cylindrical) used to hold and conduct objects or liquids or gases
From this reading Next he had made sure that the finger-prints found on the speaking tube were not those of Mr. Coburn, and he remained keenly anxious to obtain impressions from Captain Beamish’s fingers to compare with the former.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A MYSTIFYING DISCOVERY Inspector Willis was more than interested in his new case.
weeknounUS /wiːk/
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading He had not been idle since the day of the inquest, now a week past.
welladverbUS /wel/
(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 The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Next he had made sure that the finger-prints found on the speaking tube were not those of Mr. Coburn, and he remained keenly anxious to obtain impressions from Captain Beamish’s fingers to compare with the former.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
WillisnounUS /ˈwɪlɪs/
English physician who was a pioneer in the study of the brain (1621-1675)
From this reading A MYSTIFYING DISCOVERY Inspector Willis was more than interested in his new case.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading To begin with he had seen Hilliard secretly, and learned at first hand all that that young man could tell him.
wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/
the words that are spoken
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
world-wideadjective
involving the entire earth; not limited or provincial in scope
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The more he thought over it, the more he realized its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as the importance which his superiors would certainly attach to it; in other words, the influence a successful handling of it would have on his career.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading To begin with he had seen Hilliard secretly, and learned at first hand all that that young man could tell him.
