used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HOW RICHARD RECEIVED A LETTER Inspector Val did not resemble the detective officer of literature.
accuratelyadverbUS /ˈækjərətli/
with few mistakes
From this reading When he lifted his hat, one might see that the dark hair, speciously waved, was as accurately parted in the middle as though the line had been run by an engineer.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading His foppishness arose from an over-elegance of costume rather than any violence of color.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The famous thief-taker might have stood for what was latest in fashionable dress, with every detail of hat and glove and cravat and boot worked out.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading His foppishness arose from an over-elegance of costume rather than any violence of color.
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading His foppishness arose from an over-elegance of costume rather than any violence of color.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There befell no touch of vulgarity; the effect was as retiringly genteel as though the taste providing it belonged to a Howard or a Vere de Vere and based itself upon ten unstained centuries of patricianism.
basedadjectiveUS /beɪst/
having a base
From this reading There befell no touch of vulgarity; the effect was as retiringly genteel as though the taste providing it belonged to a Howard or a Vere de Vere and based itself upon ten unstained centuries of patricianism.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When he lifted his hat, one might see that the dark hair, speciously waved, was as accurately parted in the middle as though the line had been run by an engineer.
befellverbUS /bɪˈfel/
inflected form of “befall” — become of; happen to
From this reading There befell no touch of vulgarity; the effect was as retiringly genteel as though the taste providing it belonged to a Howard or a Vere de Vere and based itself upon ten unstained centuries of patricianism.
past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading There befell no touch of vulgarity; the effect was as retiringly genteel as though the taste providing it belonged to a Howard or a Vere de Vere and based itself upon ten unstained centuries of patricianism.
bootnounUS /buːt/
footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading The famous thief-taker might have stood for what was latest in fashionable dress, with every detail of hat and glove and cravat and boot worked out.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When he lifted his hat, one might see that the dark hair, speciously waved, was as accurately parted in the middle as though the line had been run by an engineer.
centuriesnounUS /ˈsentʃəriz/
plural of “century” — a period of 100 years
From this reading There befell no touch of vulgarity; the effect was as retiringly genteel as though the taste providing it belonged to a Howard or a Vere de Vere and based itself upon ten unstained centuries of patricianism.
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading His foppishness arose from an over-elegance of costume rather than any violence of color.
costumenounUS /kɑːˈstuːm/
the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball
From this reading His foppishness arose from an over-elegance of costume rather than any violence of color.
cravatnounUS /krəˈvæt/
A short, wide strip of silk fabric worn by gentlemen around the neck inside an open-collared shirt.
From this reading The famous thief-taker might have stood for what was latest in fashionable dress, with every detail of hat and glove and cravat and boot worked out.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading When he lifted his hat, one might see that the dark hair, speciously waved, was as accurately parted in the middle as though the line had been run by an engineer.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading There befell no touch of vulgarity; the effect was as retiringly genteel as though the taste providing it belonged to a Howard or a Vere de Vere and based itself upon ten unstained centuries of patricianism.
detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/
an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole
From this reading The famous thief-taker might have stood for what was latest in fashionable dress, with every detail of hat and glove and cravat and boot worked out.
detectivenounUS /dɪˈtektɪv/
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading HOW RICHARD RECEIVED A LETTER Inspector Val did not resemble the detective officer of literature.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading HOW RICHARD RECEIVED A LETTER Inspector Val did not resemble the detective officer of literature.
put on clothes
From this reading The famous thief-taker might have stood for what was latest in fashionable dress, with every detail of hat and glove and cravat and boot worked out.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading There befell no touch of vulgarity; the effect was as retiringly genteel as though the taste providing it belonged to a Howard or a Vere de Vere and based itself upon ten unstained centuries of patricianism.
engineernounUS /ˈendʒəˈnɪr/
a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems
From this reading When he lifted his hat, one might see that the dark hair, speciously waved, was as accurately parted in the middle as though the line had been run by an engineer.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The famous thief-taker might have stood for what was latest in fashionable dress, with every detail of hat and glove and cravat and boot worked out.
widely known and esteemed
From this reading The famous thief-taker might have stood for what was latest in fashionable dress, with every detail of hat and glove and cravat and boot worked out.
fashionableadjectiveUS /ˈfæʃənəbəl/
being or in accordance with current social fashions
From this reading The famous thief-taker might have stood for what was latest in fashionable dress, with every detail of hat and glove and cravat and boot worked out.
foppishnessnoun
the manner and dress of a fop or dandy
From this reading His foppishness arose from an over-elegance of costume rather than any violence of color.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The famous thief-taker might have stood for what was latest in fashionable dress, with every detail of hat and glove and cravat and boot worked out.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading His foppishness arose from an over-elegance of costume rather than any violence of color.
genteeladjectiveUS /dʒenˈtiːl/
marked by refinement in taste and manners
From this reading There befell no touch of vulgarity; the effect was as retiringly genteel as though the taste providing it belonged to a Howard or a Vere de Vere and based itself upon ten unstained centuries of patricianism.
glovenounUS /ɡlʌv/
the handwear used by fielders in playing baseball
From this reading The famous thief-taker might have stood for what was latest in fashionable dress, with every detail of hat and glove and cravat and boot worked out.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When he lifted his hat, one might see that the dark hair, speciously waved, was as accurately parted in the middle as though the line had been run by an engineer.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading When he lifted his hat, one might see that the dark hair, speciously waved, was as accurately parted in the middle as though the line had been run by an engineer.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading The famous thief-taker might have stood for what was latest in fashionable dress, with every detail of hat and glove and cravat and boot worked out.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The famous thief-taker might have stood for what was latest in fashionable dress, with every detail of hat and glove and cravat and boot worked out.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When he lifted his hat, one might see that the dark hair, speciously waved, was as accurately parted in the middle as though the line had been run by an engineer.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His foppishness arose from an over-elegance of costume rather than any violence of color.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW RICHARD RECEIVED A LETTER Inspector Val did not resemble the detective officer of literature.
HowardnounUS /ˈhaʊərd/
English actor of stage and screen (1893-1943)
From this reading There befell no touch of vulgarity; the effect was as retiringly genteel as though the taste providing it belonged to a Howard or a Vere de Vere and based itself upon ten unstained centuries of patricianism.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The famous thief-taker might have stood for what was latest in fashionable dress, with every detail of hat and glove and cravat and boot worked out.
InspectornounUS /ˌɪnˈspektər/
a high ranking police officer
From this reading HOW RICHARD RECEIVED A LETTER Inspector Val did not resemble the detective officer of literature.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There befell no touch of vulgarity; the effect was as retiringly genteel as though the taste providing it belonged to a Howard or a Vere de Vere and based itself upon ten unstained centuries of patricianism.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading There befell no touch of vulgarity; the effect was as retiringly genteel as though the taste providing it belonged to a Howard or a Vere de Vere and based itself upon ten unstained centuries of patricianism.
latestadjectiveUS /ˈleɪtəst/
up to the immediate present; most recent or most up-to-date
From this reading The famous thief-taker might have stood for what was latest in fashionable dress, with every detail of hat and glove and cravat and boot worked out.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading HOW RICHARD RECEIVED A LETTER Inspector Val did not resemble the detective officer of literature.
held up in the air
From this reading When he lifted his hat, one might see that the dark hair, speciously waved, was as accurately parted in the middle as though the line had been run by an engineer.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading When he lifted his hat, one might see that the dark hair, speciously waved, was as accurately parted in the middle as though the line had been run by an engineer.
creative writing of recognized artistic value
From this reading HOW RICHARD RECEIVED A LETTER Inspector Val did not resemble the detective officer of literature.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading When he lifted his hat, one might see that the dark hair, speciously waved, was as accurately parted in the middle as though the line had been run by an engineer.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The famous thief-taker might have stood for what was latest in fashionable dress, with every detail of hat and glove and cravat and boot worked out.
not any; not one
From this reading There befell no touch of vulgarity; the effect was as retiringly genteel as though the taste providing it belonged to a Howard or a Vere de Vere and based itself upon ten unstained centuries of patricianism.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading HOW RICHARD RECEIVED A LETTER Inspector Val did not resemble the detective officer of literature.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HOW RICHARD RECEIVED A LETTER Inspector Val did not resemble the detective officer of literature.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading HOW RICHARD RECEIVED A LETTER Inspector Val did not resemble the detective officer of literature.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading When he lifted his hat, one might see that the dark hair, speciously waved, was as accurately parted in the middle as though the line had been run by an engineer.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There befell no touch of vulgarity; the effect was as retiringly genteel as though the taste providing it belonged to a Howard or a Vere de Vere and based itself upon ten unstained centuries of patricianism.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The famous thief-taker might have stood for what was latest in fashionable dress, with every detail of hat and glove and cravat and boot worked out.
over-elegance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His foppishness arose from an over-elegance of costume rather than any violence of color.
having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes
From this reading When he lifted his hat, one might see that the dark hair, speciously waved, was as accurately parted in the middle as though the line had been run by an engineer.
patricianism
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There befell no touch of vulgarity; the effect was as retiringly genteel as though the taste providing it belonged to a Howard or a Vere de Vere and based itself upon ten unstained centuries of patricianism.
providingverbUS /prəˈvaɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading There befell no touch of vulgarity; the effect was as retiringly genteel as though the taste providing it belonged to a Howard or a Vere de Vere and based itself upon ten unstained centuries of patricianism.
on the contrary
From this reading His foppishness arose from an over-elegance of costume rather than any violence of color.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading HOW RICHARD RECEIVED A LETTER Inspector Val did not resemble the detective officer of literature.
resembleverbUS /rɪˈzembəl/
appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to
From this reading HOW RICHARD RECEIVED A LETTER Inspector Val did not resemble the detective officer of literature.
retiringly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There befell no touch of vulgarity; the effect was as retiringly genteel as though the taste providing it belonged to a Howard or a Vere de Vere and based itself upon ten unstained centuries of patricianism.
RICHARD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW RICHARD RECEIVED A LETTER Inspector Val did not resemble the detective officer of literature.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading When he lifted his hat, one might see that the dark hair, speciously waved, was as accurately parted in the middle as though the line had been run by an engineer.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading When he lifted his hat, one might see that the dark hair, speciously waved, was as accurately parted in the middle as though the line had been run by an engineer.
speciouslyadverb
in a specious manner
From this reading When he lifted his hat, one might see that the dark hair, speciously waved, was as accurately parted in the middle as though the line had been run by an engineer.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The famous thief-taker might have stood for what was latest in fashionable dress, with every detail of hat and glove and cravat and boot worked out.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading There befell no touch of vulgarity; the effect was as retiringly genteel as though the taste providing it belonged to a Howard or a Vere de Vere and based itself upon ten unstained centuries of patricianism.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading There befell no touch of vulgarity; the effect was as retiringly genteel as though the taste providing it belonged to a Howard or a Vere de Vere and based itself upon ten unstained centuries of patricianism.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading His foppishness arose from an over-elegance of costume rather than any violence of color.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When he lifted his hat, one might see that the dark hair, speciously waved, was as accurately parted in the middle as though the line had been run by an engineer.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOW RICHARD RECEIVED A LETTER Inspector Val did not resemble the detective officer of literature.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There befell no touch of vulgarity; the effect was as retiringly genteel as though the taste providing it belonged to a Howard or a Vere de Vere and based itself upon ten unstained centuries of patricianism.
thief-taker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The famous thief-taker might have stood for what was latest in fashionable dress, with every detail of hat and glove and cravat and boot worked out.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading There befell no touch of vulgarity; the effect was as retiringly genteel as though the taste providing it belonged to a Howard or a Vere de Vere and based itself upon ten unstained centuries of patricianism.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There befell no touch of vulgarity; the effect was as retiringly genteel as though the taste providing it belonged to a Howard or a Vere de Vere and based itself upon ten unstained centuries of patricianism.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading There befell no touch of vulgarity; the effect was as retiringly genteel as though the taste providing it belonged to a Howard or a Vere de Vere and based itself upon ten unstained centuries of patricianism.
unstainedadjectiveUS /ənˈsteɪnd/
not stained
From this reading There befell no touch of vulgarity; the effect was as retiringly genteel as though the taste providing it belonged to a Howard or a Vere de Vere and based itself upon ten unstained centuries of patricianism.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading There befell no touch of vulgarity; the effect was as retiringly genteel as though the taste providing it belonged to a Howard or a Vere de Vere and based itself upon ten unstained centuries of patricianism.
Val
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW RICHARD RECEIVED A LETTER Inspector Val did not resemble the detective officer of literature.
Vere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There befell no touch of vulgarity; the effect was as retiringly genteel as though the taste providing it belonged to a Howard or a Vere de Vere and based itself upon ten unstained centuries of patricianism.
an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists)
From this reading His foppishness arose from an over-elegance of costume rather than any violence of color.
vulgaritynounUS /vəlˈɡerɪti/
the quality of lacking taste and refinement
From this reading There befell no touch of vulgarity; the effect was as retiringly genteel as though the taste providing it belonged to a Howard or a Vere de Vere and based itself upon ten unstained centuries of patricianism.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The famous thief-taker might have stood for what was latest in fashionable dress, with every detail of hat and glove and cravat and boot worked out.
past form of “wave” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading When he lifted his hat, one might see that the dark hair, speciously waved, was as accurately parted in the middle as though the line had been run by an engineer.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The famous thief-taker might have stood for what was latest in fashionable dress, with every detail of hat and glove and cravat and boot worked out.
at the time that
From this reading When he lifted his hat, one might see that the dark hair, speciously waved, was as accurately parted in the middle as though the line had been run by an engineer.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The famous thief-taker might have stood for what was latest in fashionable dress, with every detail of hat and glove and cravat and boot worked out.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The famous thief-taker might have stood for what was latest in fashionable dress, with every detail of hat and glove and cravat and boot worked out.
