used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading By a closed murder I mean one committed in a certain closed circle of persons, such as a house-party, in which it is known that the murderer is limited to membership of that actual group.
presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible
From this reading By a closed murder I mean one committed in a certain closed circle of persons, such as a house-party, in which it is known that the murderer is limited to membership of that actual group.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading An open murder I call one in which the criminal is not limited to any particular group but might be almost any one in the whole world.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading “I have always thought,” resumed Mr. Bradley, restored, “I have always thought that murders may be divided into two classes, closed or open.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An open murder I call one in which the criminal is not limited to any particular group but might be almost any one in the whole world.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading An open murder I call one in which the criminal is not limited to any particular group but might be almost any one in the whole world.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading By a closed murder I mean one committed in a certain closed circle of persons, such as a house-party, in which it is known that the murderer is limited to membership of that actual group.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “I have always thought,” resumed Mr. Bradley, restored, “I have always thought that murders may be divided into two classes, closed or open.
BradleynounUS /ˈbrædli/
United States politician who was elected the first black mayor of Los Angeles (1917-1998)
From this reading “I have always thought,” resumed Mr. Bradley, restored, “I have always thought that murders may be divided into two classes, closed or open.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading An open murder I call one in which the criminal is not limited to any particular group but might be almost any one in the whole world.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By a closed murder I mean one committed in a certain closed circle of persons, such as a house-party, in which it is known that the murderer is limited to membership of that actual group.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading An open murder I call one in which the criminal is not limited to any particular group but might be almost any one in the whole world.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading By a closed murder I mean one committed in a certain closed circle of persons, such as a house-party, in which it is known that the murderer is limited to membership of that actual group.
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 By a closed murder I mean one committed in a certain closed circle of persons, such as a house-party, in which it is known that the murderer is limited to membership of that actual group.
classesnounUS /ˈklæsəz/
plural of “class” — a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading “I have always thought,” resumed Mr. Bradley, restored, “I have always thought that murders may be divided into two classes, closed or open.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading “I have always thought,” resumed Mr. Bradley, restored, “I have always thought that murders may be divided into two classes, closed or open.
bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude
From this reading By a closed murder I mean one committed in a certain closed circle of persons, such as a house-party, in which it is known that the murderer is limited to membership of that actual group.
commonernounUS /ˈkɑːmənər/
a person who holds no title
From this reading This is by far the commoner form in fiction.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading This, of course, is almost invariably what happens in real life.
criminaladjectiveUS /ˈkrɪmənəl/
bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
From this reading An open murder I call one in which the criminal is not limited to any particular group but might be almost any one in the whole world.
separated into parts or pieces
From this reading “I have always thought,” resumed Mr. Bradley, restored, “I have always thought that murders may be divided into two classes, closed or open.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading This is by far the commoner form in fiction.
fictionnounUS /ˈfɪkʃən/
a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact
From this reading This is by far the commoner form in fiction.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading This is by far the commoner form in fiction.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading By a closed murder I mean one committed in a certain closed circle of persons, such as a house-party, in which it is known that the murderer is limited to membership of that actual group.
third-person singular of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading This, of course, is almost invariably what happens in real life.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “I have always thought,” resumed Mr. Bradley, restored, “I have always thought that murders may be divided into two classes, closed or open.
house-party
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By a closed murder I mean one committed in a certain closed circle of persons, such as a house-party, in which it is known that the murderer is limited to membership of that actual group.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I have always thought,” resumed Mr. Bradley, restored, “I have always thought that murders may be divided into two classes, closed or open.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading By a closed murder I mean one committed in a certain closed circle of persons, such as a house-party, in which it is known that the murderer is limited to membership of that actual group.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading “I have always thought,” resumed Mr. Bradley, restored, “I have always thought that murders may be divided into two classes, closed or open.
invariablyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈveriəbli/
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading This, of course, is almost invariably what happens in real life.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading By a closed murder I mean one committed in a certain closed circle of persons, such as a house-party, in which it is known that the murderer is limited to membership of that actual group.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading By a closed murder I mean one committed in a certain closed circle of persons, such as a house-party, in which it is known that the murderer is limited to membership of that actual group.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading By a closed murder I mean one committed in a certain closed circle of persons, such as a house-party, in which it is known that the murderer is limited to membership of that actual group.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading This, of course, is almost invariably what happens in real life.
limitedadjectiveUS /ˈlɪmətəd/
small in range or scope
From this reading By a closed murder I mean one committed in a certain closed circle of persons, such as a house-party, in which it is known that the murderer is limited to membership of that actual group.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading “I have always thought,” resumed Mr. Bradley, restored, “I have always thought that murders may be divided into two classes, closed or open.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading By a closed murder I mean one committed in a certain closed circle of persons, such as a house-party, in which it is known that the murderer is limited to membership of that actual group.
membershipnounUS /ˈmembərʃɪp/
the body of members of an organization or group
From this reading By a closed murder I mean one committed in a certain closed circle of persons, such as a house-party, in which it is known that the murderer is limited to membership of that actual group.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading An open murder I call one in which the criminal is not limited to any particular group but might be almost any one in the whole world.
a form of address for a man
From this reading “I have always thought,” resumed Mr. Bradley, restored, “I have always thought that murders may be divided into two classes, closed or open.
kill intentionally and with premeditation
From this reading By a closed murder I mean one committed in a certain closed circle of persons, such as a house-party, in which it is known that the murderer is limited to membership of that actual group.
murderernounUS /ˈmɜːrdərər/
a criminal who commits homicide (who performs the unlawful premeditated killing of another human being)
From this reading By a closed murder I mean one committed in a certain closed circle of persons, such as a house-party, in which it is known that the murderer is limited to membership of that actual group.
murdersnounUS /ˈmɜːrdərz/
plural of “murder” — unlawful premeditated killing of a human being by a human being
From this reading “I have always thought,” resumed Mr. Bradley, restored, “I have always thought that murders may be divided into two classes, closed or open.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading An open murder I call one in which the criminal is not limited to any particular group but might be almost any one in the whole world.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading By a closed murder I mean one committed in a certain closed circle of persons, such as a house-party, in which it is known that the murderer is limited to membership of that actual group.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading By a closed murder I mean one committed in a certain closed circle of persons, such as a house-party, in which it is known that the murderer is limited to membership of that actual group.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading “I have always thought,” resumed Mr. Bradley, restored, “I have always thought that murders may be divided into two classes, closed or open.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “I have always thought,” resumed Mr. Bradley, restored, “I have always thought that murders may be divided into two classes, closed or open.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading An open murder I call one in which the criminal is not limited to any particular group but might be almost any one in the whole world.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading By a closed murder I mean one committed in a certain closed circle of persons, such as a house-party, in which it is known that the murderer is limited to membership of that actual group.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading This, of course, is almost invariably what happens in real life.
restoredverbUS /rɪˈstɔːrd/
past form of “restore” — return to its original or usable and functioning condition
From this reading “I have always thought,” resumed Mr. Bradley, restored, “I have always thought that murders may be divided into two classes, closed or open.
past form of “resume” — take up or begin anew
From this reading “I have always thought,” resumed Mr. Bradley, restored, “I have always thought that murders may be divided into two classes, closed or open.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading By a closed murder I mean one committed in a certain closed circle of persons, such as a house-party, in which it is known that the murderer is limited to membership of that actual group.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “I have always thought,” resumed Mr. Bradley, restored, “I have always thought that murders may be divided into two classes, closed or open.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading By a closed murder I mean one committed in a certain closed circle of persons, such as a house-party, in which it is known that the murderer is limited to membership of that actual group.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This is by far the commoner form in fiction.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading “I have always thought,” resumed Mr. Bradley, restored, “I have always thought that murders may be divided into two classes, closed or open.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading By a closed murder I mean one committed in a certain closed circle of persons, such as a house-party, in which it is known that the murderer is limited to membership of that actual group.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading “I have always thought,” resumed Mr. Bradley, restored, “I have always thought that murders may be divided into two classes, closed or open.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading This, of course, is almost invariably what happens in real life.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading By a closed murder I mean one committed in a certain closed circle of persons, such as a house-party, in which it is known that the murderer is limited to membership of that actual group.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading An open murder I call one in which the criminal is not limited to any particular group but might be almost any one in the whole world.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading An open murder I call one in which the criminal is not limited to any particular group but might be almost any one in the whole world.
