Chapter VI · Chapter 6

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

From this reading It had not been originally intended as a jewel-case, that was clear; and as Maxine's voice had rung unmistakably true when she denied all previous knowledge of it to the police, I judged that the diamonds had not been in it when the Duchess entrusted them to du Laurier.

(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 It had not been originally intended as a jewel-case, that was clear; and as Maxine's voice had rung unmistakably true when she denied all previous knowledge of it to the police, I judged that the diamonds had not been in it when the Duchess entrusted them to du Laurier.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading He would almost certainly have described to Maxine the box or case which had been stolen from him, and if the thing pulled out from the sofa-hiding-place had recalled his description, she must have betrayed some emotion under the keen eyes of the Commissary of Police.

Having no one else present.

From this reading IVOR IS LATE FOR AN APPOINTMENT I was glad to be alone, for as I had said, I wanted to think quietly.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading IVOR IS LATE FOR AN APPOINTMENT I was glad to be alone, for as I had said, I wanted to think quietly.

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

From this reading Maxine had taken the diamonds, but she had slipped the necklace into the bosom of her dress, pressing it down through the rather low-cut opening at the throat, and had therefore left the leather case.

the act of putting a person into a non-elective position

From this reading IVOR IS LATE FOR AN APPOINTMENT I was glad to be alone, for as I had said, I wanted to think quietly.

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

From this reading IVOR IS LATE FOR AN APPOINTMENT I was glad to be alone, for as I had said, I wanted to think quietly.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Maxine had taken the diamonds, but she had slipped the necklace into the bosom of her dress, pressing it down through the rather low-cut opening at the throat, and had therefore left the leather case.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading IVOR IS LATE FOR AN APPOINTMENT I was glad to be alone, for as I had said, I wanted to think quietly.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It had not been originally intended as a jewel-case, that was clear; and as Maxine's voice had rung unmistakably true when she denied all previous knowledge of it to the police, I judged that the diamonds had not been in it when the Duchess entrusted them to du Laurier.

past form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally

From this reading He would almost certainly have described to Maxine the box or case which had been stolen from him, and if the thing pulled out from the sofa-hiding-place had recalled his description, she must have betrayed some emotion under the keen eyes of the Commissary of Police.

the chest considered as the place where secret thoughts are kept

From this reading Maxine had taken the diamonds, but she had slipped the necklace into the bosom of her dress, pressing it down through the rather low-cut opening at the throat, and had therefore left the leather case.

a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading He would almost certainly have described to Maxine the box or case which had been stolen from him, and if the thing pulled out from the sofa-hiding-place had recalled his description, she must have betrayed some emotion under the keen eyes of the Commissary of Police.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Maxine had taken the diamonds, but she had slipped the necklace into the bosom of her dress, pressing it down through the rather low-cut opening at the throat, and had therefore left the leather case.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading I picked the thing up from the table where she had thrown it, and examined it carefully for the first time.

an occurrence of something

From this reading Maxine had taken the diamonds, but she had slipped the necklace into the bosom of her dress, pressing it down through the rather low-cut opening at the throat, and had therefore left the leather case.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading He would almost certainly have described to Maxine the box or case which had been stolen from him, and if the thing pulled out from the sofa-hiding-place had recalled his description, she must have betrayed some emotion under the keen eyes of the Commissary of Police.

rid of obstructions

From this reading It had not been originally intended as a jewel-case, that was clear; and as Maxine's voice had rung unmistakably true when she denied all previous knowledge of it to the police, I judged that the diamonds had not been in it when the Duchess entrusted them to du Laurier.

a retail store that sells equipment and provisions (usually to military personnel)

From this reading He would almost certainly have described to Maxine the box or case which had been stolen from him, and if the thing pulled out from the sofa-hiding-place had recalled his description, she must have betrayed some emotion under the keen eyes of the Commissary of Police.

inflected form of “deny” — declare untrue; contradict

From this reading It had not been originally intended as a jewel-case, that was clear; and as Maxine's voice had rung unmistakably true when she denied all previous knowledge of it to the police, I judged that the diamonds had not been in it when the Duchess entrusted them to du Laurier.

represented in words especially with sharpness and detail

From this reading He would almost certainly have described to Maxine the box or case which had been stolen from him, and if the thing pulled out from the sofa-hiding-place had recalled his description, she must have betrayed some emotion under the keen eyes of the Commissary of Police.

a statement that represents something in words

From this reading He would almost certainly have described to Maxine the box or case which had been stolen from him, and if the thing pulled out from the sofa-hiding-place had recalled his description, she must have betrayed some emotion under the keen eyes of the Commissary of Police.

plural of “diamond” — a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem

From this reading Maxine had taken the diamonds, but she had slipped the necklace into the bosom of her dress, pressing it down through the rather low-cut opening at the throat, and had therefore left the leather case.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Maxine had taken the diamonds, but she had slipped the necklace into the bosom of her dress, pressing it down through the rather low-cut opening at the throat, and had therefore left the leather case.

put on clothes

From this reading Maxine had taken the diamonds, but she had slipped the necklace into the bosom of her dress, pressing it down through the rather low-cut opening at the throat, and had therefore left the leather case.

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

From this reading It had not been originally intended as a jewel-case, that was clear; and as Maxine's voice had rung unmistakably true when she denied all previous knowledge of it to the police, I judged that the diamonds had not been in it when the Duchess entrusted them to du Laurier.

the wife of a duke or a woman holding ducal title in her own right

From this reading It had not been originally intended as a jewel-case, that was clear; and as Maxine's voice had rung unmistakably true when she denied all previous knowledge of it to the police, I judged that the diamonds had not been in it when the Duchess entrusted them to du Laurier.

any strong feeling

From this reading He would almost certainly have described to Maxine the box or case which had been stolen from him, and if the thing pulled out from the sofa-hiding-place had recalled his description, she must have betrayed some emotion under the keen eyes of the Commissary of Police.

past form of “entrust” — confer a trust upon

From this reading It had not been originally intended as a jewel-case, that was clear; and as Maxine's voice had rung unmistakably true when she denied all previous knowledge of it to the police, I judged that the diamonds had not been in it when the Duchess entrusted them to du Laurier.

past form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

From this reading I picked the thing up from the table where she had thrown it, and examined it carefully for the first time.

opinion or judgment

From this reading He would almost certainly have described to Maxine the box or case which had been stolen from him, and if the thing pulled out from the sofa-hiding-place had recalled his description, she must have betrayed some emotion under the keen eyes of the Commissary of Police.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading I picked the thing up from the table where she had thrown it, and examined it carefully for the first time.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading IVOR IS LATE FOR AN APPOINTMENT I was glad to be alone, for as I had said, I wanted to think quietly.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading I picked the thing up from the table where she had thrown it, and examined it carefully for the first time.

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading IVOR IS LATE FOR AN APPOINTMENT I was glad to be alone, for as I had said, I wanted to think quietly.

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

From this reading IVOR IS LATE FOR AN APPOINTMENT I was glad to be alone, for as I had said, I wanted to think quietly.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He would almost certainly have described to Maxine the box or case which had been stolen from him, and if the thing pulled out from the sofa-hiding-place had recalled his description, she must have betrayed some emotion under the keen eyes of the Commissary of Police.

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

From this reading He would almost certainly have described to Maxine the box or case which had been stolen from him, and if the thing pulled out from the sofa-hiding-place had recalled his description, she must have betrayed some emotion under the keen eyes of the Commissary of Police.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Maxine had taken the diamonds, but she had slipped the necklace into the bosom of her dress, pressing it down through the rather low-cut opening at the throat, and had therefore left the leather case.

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

From this reading He would almost certainly have described to Maxine the box or case which had been stolen from him, and if the thing pulled out from the sofa-hiding-place had recalled his description, she must have betrayed some emotion under the keen eyes of the Commissary of Police.

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

From this reading He would almost certainly have described to Maxine the box or case which had been stolen from him, and if the thing pulled out from the sofa-hiding-place had recalled his description, she must have betrayed some emotion under the keen eyes of the Commissary of Police.

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

From this reading IVOR IS LATE FOR AN APPOINTMENT I was glad to be alone, for as I had said, I wanted to think quietly.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He would almost certainly have described to Maxine the box or case which had been stolen from him, and if the thing pulled out from the sofa-hiding-place had recalled his description, she must have betrayed some emotion under the keen eyes of the Commissary of Police.

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

From this reading It had not been originally intended as a jewel-case, that was clear; and as Maxine's voice had rung unmistakably true when she denied all previous knowledge of it to the police, I judged that the diamonds had not been in it when the Duchess entrusted them to du Laurier.

resulting from one's intentions

From this reading It had not been originally intended as a jewel-case, that was clear; and as Maxine's voice had rung unmistakably true when she denied all previous knowledge of it to the police, I judged that the diamonds had not been in it when the Duchess entrusted them to du Laurier.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Maxine had taken the diamonds, but she had slipped the necklace into the bosom of her dress, pressing it down through the rather low-cut opening at the throat, and had therefore left the leather case.

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

From this reading IVOR IS LATE FOR AN APPOINTMENT I was glad to be alone, for as I had said, I wanted to think quietly.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Maxine had taken the diamonds, but she had slipped the necklace into the bosom of her dress, pressing it down through the rather low-cut opening at the throat, and had therefore left the leather case.

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

From this reading IVOR IS LATE FOR AN APPOINTMENT I was glad to be alone, for as I had said, I wanted to think quietly.

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

From this reading It had not been originally intended as a jewel-case, that was clear; and as Maxine's voice had rung unmistakably true when she denied all previous knowledge of it to the police, I judged that the diamonds had not been in it when the Duchess entrusted them to du Laurier.

past form of “judge” — determine the result of (a competition)

From this reading It had not been originally intended as a jewel-case, that was clear; and as Maxine's voice had rung unmistakably true when she denied all previous knowledge of it to the police, I judged that the diamonds had not been in it when the Duchess entrusted them to du Laurier.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading He would almost certainly have described to Maxine the box or case which had been stolen from him, and if the thing pulled out from the sofa-hiding-place had recalled his description, she must have betrayed some emotion under the keen eyes of the Commissary of Police.

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading It had not been originally intended as a jewel-case, that was clear; and as Maxine's voice had rung unmistakably true when she denied all previous knowledge of it to the police, I judged that the diamonds had not been in it when the Duchess entrusted them to du Laurier.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading IVOR IS LATE FOR AN APPOINTMENT I was glad to be alone, for as I had said, I wanted to think quietly.

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

From this reading It had not been originally intended as a jewel-case, that was clear; and as Maxine's voice had rung unmistakably true when she denied all previous knowledge of it to the police, I judged that the diamonds had not been in it when the Duchess entrusted them to du Laurier.

an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning

From this reading Maxine had taken the diamonds, but she had slipped the necklace into the bosom of her dress, pressing it down through the rather low-cut opening at the throat, and had therefore left the leather case.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Maxine had taken the diamonds, but she had slipped the necklace into the bosom of her dress, pressing it down through the rather low-cut opening at the throat, and had therefore left the leather case.

(of a garment) having a low-cut neckline

From this reading Maxine had taken the diamonds, but she had slipped the necklace into the bosom of her dress, pressing it down through the rather low-cut opening at the throat, and had therefore left the leather case.

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

From this reading Maxine had taken the diamonds, but she had slipped the necklace into the bosom of her dress, pressing it down through the rather low-cut opening at the throat, and had therefore left the leather case.

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

From this reading It had not been originally intended as a jewel-case, that was clear; and as Maxine's voice had rung unmistakably true when she denied all previous knowledge of it to the police, I judged that the diamonds had not been in it when the Duchess entrusted them to du Laurier.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading He would almost certainly have described to Maxine the box or case which had been stolen from him, and if the thing pulled out from the sofa-hiding-place had recalled his description, she must have betrayed some emotion under the keen eyes of the Commissary of Police.

jewelry consisting of a cord or chain (often bearing gems) worn about the neck as an ornament (especially by women)

From this reading Maxine had taken the diamonds, but she had slipped the necklace into the bosom of her dress, pressing it down through the rather low-cut opening at the throat, and had therefore left the leather case.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It had not been originally intended as a jewel-case, that was clear; and as Maxine's voice had rung unmistakably true when she denied all previous knowledge of it to the police, I judged that the diamonds had not been in it when the Duchess entrusted them to du Laurier.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Maxine had taken the diamonds, but she had slipped the necklace into the bosom of her dress, pressing it down through the rather low-cut opening at the throat, and had therefore left the leather case.

an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading Maxine had taken the diamonds, but she had slipped the necklace into the bosom of her dress, pressing it down through the rather low-cut opening at the throat, and had therefore left the leather case.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He would almost certainly have described to Maxine the box or case which had been stolen from him, and if the thing pulled out from the sofa-hiding-place had recalled his description, she must have betrayed some emotion under the keen eyes of the Commissary of Police.

in an original manner

From this reading It had not been originally intended as a jewel-case, that was clear; and as Maxine's voice had rung unmistakably true when she denied all previous knowledge of it to the police, I judged that the diamonds had not been in it when the Duchess entrusted them to du Laurier.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He would almost certainly have described to Maxine the box or case which had been stolen from him, and if the thing pulled out from the sofa-hiding-place had recalled his description, she must have betrayed some emotion under the keen eyes of the Commissary of Police.

past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group

From this reading I picked the thing up from the table where she had thrown it, and examined it carefully for the first time.

the force of policemen and officers

From this reading It had not been originally intended as a jewel-case, that was clear; and as Maxine's voice had rung unmistakably true when she denied all previous knowledge of it to the police, I judged that the diamonds had not been in it when the Duchess entrusted them to du Laurier.

the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure

From this reading Maxine had taken the diamonds, but she had slipped the necklace into the bosom of her dress, pressing it down through the rather low-cut opening at the throat, and had therefore left the leather case.

just preceding something else in time or order

From this reading It had not been originally intended as a jewel-case, that was clear; and as Maxine's voice had rung unmistakably true when she denied all previous knowledge of it to the police, I judged that the diamonds had not been in it when the Duchess entrusted them to du Laurier.

past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling

From this reading He would almost certainly have described to Maxine the box or case which had been stolen from him, and if the thing pulled out from the sofa-hiding-place had recalled his description, she must have betrayed some emotion under the keen eyes of the Commissary of Police.

with low volume

From this reading IVOR IS LATE FOR AN APPOINTMENT I was glad to be alone, for as I had said, I wanted to think quietly.

on the contrary

From this reading Maxine had taken the diamonds, but she had slipped the necklace into the bosom of her dress, pressing it down through the rather low-cut opening at the throat, and had therefore left the leather case.

past form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading He would almost certainly have described to Maxine the box or case which had been stolen from him, and if the thing pulled out from the sofa-hiding-place had recalled his description, she must have betrayed some emotion under the keen eyes of the Commissary of Police.

a crosspiece between the legs of a chair

From this reading It had not been originally intended as a jewel-case, that was clear; and as Maxine's voice had rung unmistakably true when she denied all previous knowledge of it to the police, I judged that the diamonds had not been in it when the Duchess entrusted them to du Laurier.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading IVOR IS LATE FOR AN APPOINTMENT I was glad to be alone, for as I had said, I wanted to think quietly.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Maxine had taken the diamonds, but she had slipped the necklace into the bosom of her dress, pressing it down through the rather low-cut opening at the throat, and had therefore left the leather case.

inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily

From this reading Maxine had taken the diamonds, but she had slipped the necklace into the bosom of her dress, pressing it down through the rather low-cut opening at the throat, and had therefore left the leather case.

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

From this reading He would almost certainly have described to Maxine the box or case which had been stolen from him, and if the thing pulled out from the sofa-hiding-place had recalled his description, she must have betrayed some emotion under the keen eyes of the Commissary of Police.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading He would almost certainly have described to Maxine the box or case which had been stolen from him, and if the thing pulled out from the sofa-hiding-place had recalled his description, she must have betrayed some emotion under the keen eyes of the Commissary of Police.

inflected form of “steal” — take without the owner's consent

From this reading He would almost certainly have described to Maxine the box or case which had been stolen from him, and if the thing pulled out from the sofa-hiding-place had recalled his description, she must have betrayed some emotion under the keen eyes of the Commissary of Police.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading I picked the thing up from the table where she had thrown it, and examined it carefully for the first time.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading Maxine had taken the diamonds, but she had slipped the necklace into the bosom of her dress, pressing it down through the rather low-cut opening at the throat, and had therefore left the leather case.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It had not been originally intended as a jewel-case, that was clear; and as Maxine's voice had rung unmistakably true when she denied all previous knowledge of it to the police, I judged that the diamonds had not been in it when the Duchess entrusted them to du Laurier.

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

From this reading Maxine had taken the diamonds, but she had slipped the necklace into the bosom of her dress, pressing it down through the rather low-cut opening at the throat, and had therefore left the leather case.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It had not been originally intended as a jewel-case, that was clear; and as Maxine's voice had rung unmistakably true when she denied all previous knowledge of it to the police, I judged that the diamonds had not been in it when the Duchess entrusted them to du Laurier.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading Maxine had taken the diamonds, but she had slipped the necklace into the bosom of her dress, pressing it down through the rather low-cut opening at the throat, and had therefore left the leather case.

a special situation

From this reading I picked the thing up from the table where she had thrown it, and examined it carefully for the first time.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading IVOR IS LATE FOR AN APPOINTMENT I was glad to be alone, for as I had said, I wanted to think quietly.

The passage at the back of the mouth.

From this reading Maxine had taken the diamonds, but she had slipped the necklace into the bosom of her dress, pressing it down through the rather low-cut opening at the throat, and had therefore left the leather case.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Maxine had taken the diamonds, but she had slipped the necklace into the bosom of her dress, pressing it down through the rather low-cut opening at the throat, and had therefore left the leather case.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading I picked the thing up from the table where she had thrown it, and examined it carefully for the first time.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading I picked the thing up from the table where she had thrown it, and examined it carefully for the first time.

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

From this reading IVOR IS LATE FOR AN APPOINTMENT I was glad to be alone, for as I had said, I wanted to think quietly.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading It had not been originally intended as a jewel-case, that was clear; and as Maxine's voice had rung unmistakably true when she denied all previous knowledge of it to the police, I judged that the diamonds had not been in it when the Duchess entrusted them to du Laurier.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading He would almost certainly have described to Maxine the box or case which had been stolen from him, and if the thing pulled out from the sofa-hiding-place had recalled his description, she must have betrayed some emotion under the keen eyes of the Commissary of Police.

without possibility of mistake

From this reading It had not been originally intended as a jewel-case, that was clear; and as Maxine's voice had rung unmistakably true when she denied all previous knowledge of it to the police, I judged that the diamonds had not been in it when the Duchess entrusted them to du Laurier.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading I picked the thing up from the table where she had thrown it, and examined it carefully for the first time.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading It had not been originally intended as a jewel-case, that was clear; and as Maxine's voice had rung unmistakably true when she denied all previous knowledge of it to the police, I judged that the diamonds had not been in it when the Duchess entrusted them to du Laurier.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading IVOR IS LATE FOR AN APPOINTMENT I was glad to be alone, for as I had said, I wanted to think quietly.

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

From this reading IVOR IS LATE FOR AN APPOINTMENT I was glad to be alone, for as I had said, I wanted to think quietly.

at the time that

From this reading It had not been originally intended as a jewel-case, that was clear; and as Maxine's voice had rung unmistakably true when she denied all previous knowledge of it to the police, I judged that the diamonds had not been in it when the Duchess entrusted them to du Laurier.

in or at the place that

From this reading I picked the thing up from the table where she had thrown it, and examined it carefully for the first time.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading He would almost certainly have described to Maxine the box or case which had been stolen from him, and if the thing pulled out from the sofa-hiding-place had recalled his description, she must have betrayed some emotion under the keen eyes of the Commissary of Police.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He would almost certainly have described to Maxine the box or case which had been stolen from him, and if the thing pulled out from the sofa-hiding-place had recalled his description, she must have betrayed some emotion under the keen eyes of the Commissary of Police.