Chapter I

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

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

generally approved or compelling recognition

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

in the past

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

(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 Through the haze of cigarette-smoke eager voices reached his ears from all directions, prattling joyfully upon this and that connected with murder, poisons and sudden death.

Having no one else present.

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading “Honestly, Moresby, without any disrespect to your own institution, I do believe that there’s more solid criminological genius in this room (intuitive genius, I mean; not capacity for taking pains) than anywhere in the world outside the _Sûreté_ in Paris.”

at or in or to any place

From this reading “Honestly, Moresby, without any disrespect to your own institution, I do believe that there’s more solid criminological genius in this room (intuitive genius, I mean; not capacity for taking pains) than anywhere in the world outside the _Sûreté_ in Paris.”

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

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

for the reason that

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading “Honestly, Moresby, without any disrespect to your own institution, I do believe that there’s more solid criminological genius in this room (intuitive genius, I mean; not capacity for taking pains) than anywhere in the world outside the _Sûreté_ in Paris.”

distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

capability to perform or produce

From this reading “Honestly, Moresby, without any disrespect to your own institution, I do believe that there’s more solid criminological genius in this room (intuitive genius, I mean; not capacity for taking pains) than anywhere in the world outside the _Sûreté_ in Paris.”

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

a sweet innocent baby

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

a person who is in charge

From this reading He turned to Chief Inspector Moresby of Scotland Yard who, as the guest of the evening, was sitting on his right, engaged, a little uneasily, with a positively enormous cigar.

a roll of tobacco for smoking

From this reading He turned to Chief Inspector Moresby of Scotland Yard who, as the guest of the evening, was sitting on his right, engaged, a little uneasily, with a positively enormous cigar.

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

From this reading Through the haze of cigarette-smoke eager voices reached his ears from all directions, prattling joyfully upon this and that connected with murder, poisons and sudden death.

ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

brought together in one place

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

being joined in close association

From this reading Through the haze of cigarette-smoke eager voices reached his ears from all directions, prattling joyfully upon this and that connected with murder, poisons and sudden death.

either of two related enzymes that control the production of prostaglandins and are blocked by aspirin

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

plural of “crime” — (criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

of or relating to or involved in criminology

From this reading “Honestly, Moresby, without any disrespect to your own institution, I do believe that there’s more solid criminological genius in this room (intuitive genius, I mean; not capacity for taking pains) than anywhere in the world outside the _Sûreté_ in Paris.”

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading Through the haze of cigarette-smoke eager voices reached his ears from all directions, prattling joyfully upon this and that connected with murder, poisons and sudden death.

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

plural of “direction” — a line leading to a place or point

From this reading Through the haze of cigarette-smoke eager voices reached his ears from all directions, prattling joyfully upon this and that connected with murder, poisons and sudden death.

having its true character concealed with the intent of misleading

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

an expression of lack of respect

From this reading “Honestly, Moresby, without any disrespect to your own institution, I do believe that there’s more solid criminological genius in this room (intuitive genius, I mean; not capacity for taking pains) than anywhere in the world outside the _Sûreté_ in Paris.”

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “Honestly, Moresby, without any disrespect to your own institution, I do believe that there’s more solid criminological genius in this room (intuitive genius, I mean; not capacity for taking pains) than anywhere in the world outside the _Sûreté_ in Paris.”

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading Through the haze of cigarette-smoke eager voices reached his ears from all directions, prattling joyfully upon this and that connected with murder, poisons and sudden death.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading Through the haze of cigarette-smoke eager voices reached his ears from all directions, prattling joyfully upon this and that connected with murder, poisons and sudden death.

subject to popular election

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading He turned to Chief Inspector Moresby of Scotland Yard who, as the guest of the evening, was sitting on his right, engaged, a little uneasily, with a positively enormous cigar.

extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree

From this reading He turned to Chief Inspector Moresby of Scotland Yard who, as the guest of the evening, was sitting on his right, engaged, a little uneasily, with a positively enormous cigar.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading He turned to Chief Inspector Moresby of Scotland Yard who, as the guest of the evening, was sitting on his right, engaged, a little uneasily, with a positively enormous cigar.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

past form of “found” — set up or found

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Through the haze of cigarette-smoke eager voices reached his ears from all directions, prattling joyfully upon this and that connected with murder, poisons and sudden death.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality

From this reading “Honestly, Moresby, without any disrespect to your own institution, I do believe that there’s more solid criminological genius in this room (intuitive genius, I mean; not capacity for taking pains) than anywhere in the world outside the _Sûreté_ in Paris.”

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading He turned to Chief Inspector Moresby of Scotland Yard who, as the guest of the evening, was sitting on his right, engaged, a little uneasily, with a positively enormous cigar.

a nonmetallic univalent element that is normally a colorless and odorless highly flammable diatomic gas; the simplest and lightest and most abundant element in the universe

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

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

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

atmospheric moisture or dust or smoke that causes reduced visibility

From this reading Through the haze of cigarette-smoke eager voices reached his ears from all directions, prattling joyfully upon this and that connected with murder, poisons and sudden death.

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

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

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

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

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

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

(used as intensives reflecting the speaker's attitude) it is sincerely the case that

From this reading “Honestly, Moresby, without any disrespect to your own institution, I do believe that there’s more solid criminological genius in this room (intuitive genius, I mean; not capacity for taking pains) than anywhere in the world outside the _Sûreté_ in Paris.”

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

From this reading “Honestly, Moresby, without any disrespect to your own institution, I do believe that there’s more solid criminological genius in this room (intuitive genius, I mean; not capacity for taking pains) than anywhere in the world outside the _Sûreté_ in Paris.”

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

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

a high ranking police officer

From this reading He turned to Chief Inspector Moresby of Scotland Yard who, as the guest of the evening, was sitting on his right, engaged, a little uneasily, with a positively enormous cigar.

an organization founded and united for a specific purpose

From this reading “Honestly, Moresby, without any disrespect to your own institution, I do believe that there’s more solid criminological genius in this room (intuitive genius, I mean; not capacity for taking pains) than anywhere in the world outside the _Sûreté_ in Paris.”

spontaneously derived from or prompted by a natural tendency

From this reading “Honestly, Moresby, without any disrespect to your own institution, I do believe that there’s more solid criminological genius in this room (intuitive genius, I mean; not capacity for taking pains) than anywhere in the world outside the _Sûreté_ in Paris.”

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

a unit of electrical energy equal to the work done when a current of one ampere passes through a resistance of one ohm for one second

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

in a joyous and gleeful manner

From this reading Through the haze of cigarette-smoke eager voices reached his ears from all directions, prattling joyfully upon this and that connected with murder, poisons and sudden death.

past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading He turned to Chief Inspector Moresby of Scotland Yard who, as the guest of the evening, was sitting on his right, engaged, a little uneasily, with a positively enormous cigar.

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading “Honestly, Moresby, without any disrespect to your own institution, I do believe that there’s more solid criminological genius in this room (intuitive genius, I mean; not capacity for taking pains) than anywhere in the world outside the _Sûreté_ in Paris.”

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

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

From this reading “Honestly, Moresby, without any disrespect to your own institution, I do believe that there’s more solid criminological genius in this room (intuitive genius, I mean; not capacity for taking pains) than anywhere in the world outside the _Sûreté_ in Paris.”

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

From this reading He turned to Chief Inspector Moresby of Scotland Yard who, as the guest of the evening, was sitting on his right, engaged, a little uneasily, with a positively enormous cigar.

kill intentionally and with premeditation

From this reading Through the haze of cigarette-smoke eager voices reached his ears from all directions, prattling joyfully upon this and that connected with murder, poisons and sudden death.

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

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

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

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

on one occasion

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

being a member of or formed into a labor union

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading “Honestly, Moresby, without any disrespect to your own institution, I do believe that there’s more solid criminological genius in this room (intuitive genius, I mean; not capacity for taking pains) than anywhere in the world outside the _Sûreté_ in Paris.”

have ownership or possession of

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

an effortful attempt to attain a goal

From this reading “Honestly, Moresby, without any disrespect to your own institution, I do believe that there’s more solid criminological genius in this room (intuitive genius, I mean; not capacity for taking pains) than anywhere in the world outside the _Sûreté_ in Paris.”

the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce

From this reading “Honestly, Moresby, without any disrespect to your own institution, I do believe that there’s more solid criminological genius in this room (intuitive genius, I mean; not capacity for taking pains) than anywhere in the world outside the _Sûreté_ in Paris.”

the time that has elapsed

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

plural of “poison” — any substance that causes injury or illness or death of a living organism

From this reading Through the haze of cigarette-smoke eager voices reached his ears from all directions, prattling joyfully upon this and that connected with murder, poisons and sudden death.

extremely

From this reading He turned to Chief Inspector Moresby of Scotland Yard who, as the guest of the evening, was sitting on his right, engaged, a little uneasily, with a positively enormous cigar.

-ing form of “prattle” — speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly

From this reading Through the haze of cigarette-smoke eager voices reached his ears from all directions, prattling joyfully upon this and that connected with murder, poisons and sudden death.

an executive officer of a firm or corporation

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

a firm in the publishing business

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading Through the haze of cigarette-smoke eager voices reached his ears from all directions, prattling joyfully upon this and that connected with murder, poisons and sudden death.

precisely, exactly

From this reading He turned to Chief Inspector Moresby of Scotland Yard who, as the guest of the evening, was sitting on his right, engaged, a little uneasily, with a positively enormous cigar.

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

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading “Honestly, Moresby, without any disrespect to your own institution, I do believe that there’s more solid criminological genius in this room (intuitive genius, I mean; not capacity for taking pains) than anywhere in the world outside the _Sûreté_ in Paris.”

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

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 He turned to Chief Inspector Moresby of Scotland Yard who, as the guest of the evening, was sitting on his right, engaged, a little uneasily, with a positively enormous cigar.

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

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

a small drink

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading He turned to Chief Inspector Moresby of Scotland Yard who, as the guest of the evening, was sitting on his right, engaged, a little uneasily, with a positively enormous cigar.

characterized by good substantial quality

From this reading “Honestly, Moresby, without any disrespect to your own institution, I do believe that there’s more solid criminological genius in this room (intuitive genius, I mean; not capacity for taking pains) than anywhere in the world outside the _Sûreté_ in Paris.”

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading Through the haze of cigarette-smoke eager voices reached his ears from all directions, prattling joyfully upon this and that connected with murder, poisons and sudden death.

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

From this reading “Honestly, Moresby, without any disrespect to your own institution, I do believe that there’s more solid criminological genius in this room (intuitive genius, I mean; not capacity for taking pains) than anywhere in the world outside the _Sûreté_ in Paris.”

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading “Honestly, Moresby, without any disrespect to your own institution, I do believe that there’s more solid criminological genius in this room (intuitive genius, I mean; not capacity for taking pains) than anywhere in the world outside the _Sûreté_ in Paris.”

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading “Honestly, Moresby, without any disrespect to your own institution, I do believe that there’s more solid criminological genius in this room (intuitive genius, I mean; not capacity for taking pains) than anywhere in the world outside the _Sûreté_ in Paris.”

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Through the haze of cigarette-smoke eager voices reached his ears from all directions, prattling joyfully upon this and that connected with murder, poisons and sudden death.

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

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

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

From this reading “Honestly, Moresby, without any disrespect to your own institution, I do believe that there’s more solid criminological genius in this room (intuitive genius, I mean; not capacity for taking pains) than anywhere in the world outside the _Sûreté_ in Paris.”

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

From this reading Through the haze of cigarette-smoke eager voices reached his ears from all directions, prattling joyfully upon this and that connected with murder, poisons and sudden death.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Through the haze of cigarette-smoke eager voices reached his ears from all directions, prattling joyfully upon this and that connected with murder, poisons and sudden death.

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

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading To S. H. J. Cox because for once he did not guess it Roger Sheringham took a sip of the old brandy in front of him and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading He turned to Chief Inspector Moresby of Scotland Yard who, as the guest of the evening, was sitting on his right, engaged, a little uneasily, with a positively enormous cigar.

of one mind; without dissent

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

with anxiety or apprehension

From this reading He turned to Chief Inspector Moresby of Scotland Yard who, as the guest of the evening, was sitting on his right, engaged, a little uneasily, with a positively enormous cigar.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Through the haze of cigarette-smoke eager voices reached his ears from all directions, prattling joyfully upon this and that connected with murder, poisons and sudden death.

precisely as stated

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Through the haze of cigarette-smoke eager voices reached his ears from all directions, prattling joyfully upon this and that connected with murder, poisons and sudden death.

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

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

at the time that

From this reading For this was his own, his very own Crimes Circle, founded, organised, collected, and now run by himself alone; and when at the first meeting five months ago he had been unanimously elected its president, he had been as full of proud delight as on that never-to-be-forgotten day in the dim past when a cherub disguised as a publisher had accepted his first novel.

which person or people

From this reading He turned to Chief Inspector Moresby of Scotland Yard who, as the guest of the evening, was sitting on his right, engaged, a little uneasily, with a positively enormous cigar.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Through the haze of cigarette-smoke eager voices reached his ears from all directions, prattling joyfully upon this and that connected with murder, poisons and sudden death.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “Honestly, Moresby, without any disrespect to your own institution, I do believe that there’s more solid criminological genius in this room (intuitive genius, I mean; not capacity for taking pains) than anywhere in the world outside the _Sûreté_ in Paris.”

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading “Honestly, Moresby, without any disrespect to your own institution, I do believe that there’s more solid criminological genius in this room (intuitive genius, I mean; not capacity for taking pains) than anywhere in the world outside the _Sûreté_ in Paris.”

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 He turned to Chief Inspector Moresby of Scotland Yard who, as the guest of the evening, was sitting on his right, engaged, a little uneasily, with a positively enormous cigar.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Honestly, Moresby, without any disrespect to your own institution, I do believe that there’s more solid criminological genius in this room (intuitive genius, I mean; not capacity for taking pains) than anywhere in the world outside the _Sûreté_ in Paris.”