adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Early in the summer the letters began to come in to the deputy surveyor's office, all unsigned, though quite evidently written in a woman's hand, disguised of course, and on rather dainty notepaper.
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 Early in the summer the letters began to come in to the deputy surveyor's office, all unsigned, though quite evidently written in a woman's hand, disguised of course, and on rather dainty notepaper.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Herndon looked thoughtfully at the passing crowd on the other side of the balustrade and continued.
anonymousadjectiveUS /əˈnɑːnəməs/
having no known name or identity or known source
From this reading "It started, like many of our cases, with the anonymous letter writer.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Smuggling jewellery is pretty common because jewels take up little space and are very valuable.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Herndon looked thoughtfully at the passing crowd on the other side of the balustrade and continued.
balustradenoun
a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling
From this reading Herndon looked thoughtfully at the passing crowd on the other side of the balustrade and continued.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading Smuggling jewellery is pretty common because jewels take up little space and are very valuable.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Early in the summer the letters began to come in to the deputy surveyor's office, all unsigned, though quite evidently written in a woman's hand, disguised of course, and on rather dainty notepaper.
bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They warned us of a big plot to smuggle gowns and jewellery from Paris.
casesnounUS /ˈkeɪsəz/
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading "It started, like many of our cases, with the anonymous letter writer.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Early in the summer the letters began to come in to the deputy surveyor's office, all unsigned, though quite evidently written in a woman's hand, disguised of course, and on rather dainty notepaper.
commonadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmən/
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading Smuggling jewellery is pretty common because jewels take up little space and are very valuable.
continuedadjectiveUS /kənˈtɪnjuːd/
without stop or interruption
From this reading Herndon looked thoughtfully at the passing crowd on the other side of the balustrade and continued.
coursenounUS /kɔːrs/
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Early in the summer the letters began to come in to the deputy surveyor's office, all unsigned, though quite evidently written in a woman's hand, disguised of course, and on rather dainty notepaper.
crowdverbUS /kraʊd/
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading Herndon looked thoughtfully at the passing crowd on the other side of the balustrade and continued.
daintyadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪnti/
delicately beautiful
From this reading Early in the summer the letters began to come in to the deputy surveyor's office, all unsigned, though quite evidently written in a woman's hand, disguised of course, and on rather dainty notepaper.
deputynounUS /ˈdepjəti/
someone authorized to exercise the powers of sheriff in emergencies
From this reading Early in the summer the letters began to come in to the deputy surveyor's office, all unsigned, though quite evidently written in a woman's hand, disguised of course, and on rather dainty notepaper.
disguisedadjectiveUS /dɪsˈɡaɪzd/
having its true character concealed with the intent of misleading
From this reading Early in the summer the letters began to come in to the deputy surveyor's office, all unsigned, though quite evidently written in a woman's hand, disguised of course, and on rather dainty notepaper.
EarlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Early in the summer the letters began to come in to the deputy surveyor's office, all unsigned, though quite evidently written in a woman's hand, disguised of course, and on rather dainty notepaper.
evidentlyadverbUS /ˈevədəntli/
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Early in the summer the letters began to come in to the deputy surveyor's office, all unsigned, though quite evidently written in a woman's hand, disguised of course, and on rather dainty notepaper.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They warned us of a big plot to smuggle gowns and jewellery from Paris.
gownsnounUS /ɡaʊnz/
plural of “gown” — a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often worn on formal occasions
From this reading They warned us of a big plot to smuggle gowns and jewellery from Paris.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Early in the summer the letters began to come in to the deputy surveyor's office, all unsigned, though quite evidently written in a woman's hand, disguised of course, and on rather dainty notepaper.
Herndon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Herndon looked thoughtfully at the passing crowd on the other side of the balustrade and continued.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Early in the summer the letters began to come in to the deputy surveyor's office, all unsigned, though quite evidently written in a woman's hand, disguised of course, and on rather dainty notepaper.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Smuggling jewellery is pretty common because jewels take up little space and are very valuable.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "It started, like many of our cases, with the anonymous letter writer.
jewellerynoun
an adornment (as a bracelet or ring or necklace) made of precious metals and set with gems (or imitation gems)
From this reading They warned us of a big plot to smuggle gowns and jewellery from Paris.
jewelsnounUS /ˈdʒuːəlz/
plural of “jewel” — a precious or semiprecious stone incorporated into a piece of jewelry
From this reading Smuggling jewellery is pretty common because jewels take up little space and are very valuable.
letternounUS /ˈletər/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading "It started, like many of our cases, with the anonymous letter writer.
lettersnounUS /ˈletərz/
the literary culture
From this reading Early in the summer the letters began to come in to the deputy surveyor's office, all unsigned, though quite evidently written in a woman's hand, disguised of course, and on rather dainty notepaper.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "It started, like many of our cases, with the anonymous letter writer.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Smuggling jewellery is pretty common because jewels take up little space and are very valuable.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Herndon looked thoughtfully at the passing crowd on the other side of the balustrade and continued.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading "It started, like many of our cases, with the anonymous letter writer.
notepapernoun
writing paper intended for writing short notes or letters
From this reading Early in the summer the letters began to come in to the deputy surveyor's office, all unsigned, though quite evidently written in a woman's hand, disguised of course, and on rather dainty notepaper.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Herndon looked thoughtfully at the passing crowd on the other side of the balustrade and continued.
officenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading Early in the summer the letters began to come in to the deputy surveyor's office, all unsigned, though quite evidently written in a woman's hand, disguised of course, and on rather dainty notepaper.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Herndon looked thoughtfully at the passing crowd on the other side of the balustrade and continued.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Herndon looked thoughtfully at the passing crowd on the other side of the balustrade and continued.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "It started, like many of our cases, with the anonymous letter writer.
ParisnounUS /ˈperɪs/
the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce
From this reading They warned us of a big plot to smuggle gowns and jewellery from Paris.
passingnounUS /ˈpæsɪŋ/
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading Herndon looked thoughtfully at the passing crowd on the other side of the balustrade and continued.
plotnounUS /plɑːt/
a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)
From this reading They warned us of a big plot to smuggle gowns and jewellery from Paris.
prettyadjectiveUS /ˈprɪti/
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading Smuggling jewellery is pretty common because jewels take up little space and are very valuable.
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Early in the summer the letters began to come in to the deputy surveyor's office, all unsigned, though quite evidently written in a woman's hand, disguised of course, and on rather dainty notepaper.
ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/
on the contrary
From this reading Early in the summer the letters began to come in to the deputy surveyor's office, all unsigned, though quite evidently written in a woman's hand, disguised of course, and on rather dainty notepaper.
sidenounUS /saɪd/
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Herndon looked thoughtfully at the passing crowd on the other side of the balustrade and continued.
smuggleverbUS /ˈsmʌɡəl/
import or export without paying customs duties
From this reading They warned us of a big plot to smuggle gowns and jewellery from Paris.
SmugglingnounUS /ˈsmʌɡlɪŋ/
secretly importing prohibited goods or goods on which duty is due
From this reading Smuggling jewellery is pretty common because jewels take up little space and are very valuable.
spacenounUS /speɪs/
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading Smuggling jewellery is pretty common because jewels take up little space and are very valuable.
startedverbUS /ˈstɑːrtɪd/
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "It started, like many of our cases, with the anonymous letter writer.
summernounUS /ˈsʌmər/
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading Early in the summer the letters began to come in to the deputy surveyor's office, all unsigned, though quite evidently written in a woman's hand, disguised of course, and on rather dainty notepaper.
surveyor'snounUS /sərˈveɪərz/
possessive form of “surveyor” — an engineer who determines the boundaries and elevations of land or structures
From this reading Early in the summer the letters began to come in to the deputy surveyor's office, all unsigned, though quite evidently written in a woman's hand, disguised of course, and on rather dainty notepaper.
takeverbUS /teɪk/
carry out
From this reading Smuggling jewellery is pretty common because jewels take up little space and are very valuable.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Herndon looked thoughtfully at the passing crowd on the other side of the balustrade and continued.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They warned us of a big plot to smuggle gowns and jewellery from Paris.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Early in the summer the letters began to come in to the deputy surveyor's office, all unsigned, though quite evidently written in a woman's hand, disguised of course, and on rather dainty notepaper.
thoughtfullyadverbUS /ˈθɔːtfəli/
in a thoughtful manner
From this reading Herndon looked thoughtfully at the passing crowd on the other side of the balustrade and continued.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Early in the summer the letters began to come in to the deputy surveyor's office, all unsigned, though quite evidently written in a woman's hand, disguised of course, and on rather dainty notepaper.
unsignedadjectiveUS /ənˈsaɪnd/
lacking a signature
From this reading Early in the summer the letters began to come in to the deputy surveyor's office, all unsigned, though quite evidently written in a woman's hand, disguised of course, and on rather dainty notepaper.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Smuggling jewellery is pretty common because jewels take up little space and are very valuable.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They warned us of a big plot to smuggle gowns and jewellery from Paris.
valuableadjectiveUS /ˈvæljəbəl/
having great material or monetary value especially for use or exchange
From this reading Smuggling jewellery is pretty common because jewels take up little space and are very valuable.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading Smuggling jewellery is pretty common because jewels take up little space and are very valuable.
warnedverbUS /wɔːrnd/
past form of “warn” — notify of danger, potential harm, or risk
From this reading They warned us of a big plot to smuggle gowns and jewellery from Paris.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading "It started, like many of our cases, with the anonymous letter writer.
woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/
possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Early in the summer the letters began to come in to the deputy surveyor's office, all unsigned, though quite evidently written in a woman's hand, disguised of course, and on rather dainty notepaper.
writernounUS /ˈraɪtər/
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading "It started, like many of our cases, with the anonymous letter writer.
writtenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪtən/
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading Early in the summer the letters began to come in to the deputy surveyor's office, all unsigned, though quite evidently written in a woman's hand, disguised of course, and on rather dainty notepaper.
