adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
absoluteadjectiveUS /ˈæbsəluːt/
perfect or complete or pure
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “See, in the mirror here is reflected the impression from your clever imitations of the handwritings of Barbara, Colonel McIntyre, and Mrs. Brewster.”
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
babbleverbUS /ˈbæbəl/
utter meaningless sounds, like a baby, or utter in an incoherent way
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
Barbara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Your carelessness in using your peculiar gift of penmanship in copying Barbara McIntyre's signature in this memorandum of her visit here”--Kent held up a sheet torn from his pad, “gave me the first clew.
blottingverbUS /ˈblɑːtɪŋ/
inflected form of “blot” — dry (ink) with blotting paper
From this reading These, the second,” he showed several pieces of blotting paper freshly used.
Brewster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “See, in the mirror here is reflected the impression from your clever imitations of the handwritings of Barbara, Colonel McIntyre, and Mrs. Brewster.”
brokeadjectiveUS /broʊk/
lacking funds
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You cannot escape, Sylvester,” declared Kent, observing his efforts.
carelessnessnounUS /ˈkerləsnəs/
the quality of not being careful or taking pains
From this reading “Your carelessness in using your peculiar gift of penmanship in copying Barbara McIntyre's signature in this memorandum of her visit here”--Kent held up a sheet torn from his pad, “gave me the first clew.
cleveradjectiveUS /ˈklevər/
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading “See, in the mirror here is reflected the impression from your clever imitations of the handwritings of Barbara, Colonel McIntyre, and Mrs. Brewster.”
clewnoun
a ball of yarn or cord or thread
From this reading “Your carelessness in using your peculiar gift of penmanship in copying Barbara McIntyre's signature in this memorandum of her visit here”--Kent held up a sheet torn from his pad, “gave me the first clew.
ColonelnounUS /ˈkɜːrnəl/
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading “See, in the mirror here is reflected the impression from your clever imitations of the handwritings of Barbara, Colonel McIntyre, and Mrs. Brewster.”
copyingnounUS /ˈkɑːpiɪŋ/
an act of copying
From this reading “Your carelessness in using your peculiar gift of penmanship in copying Barbara McIntyre's signature in this memorandum of her visit here”--Kent held up a sheet torn from his pad, “gave me the first clew.
declaredadjectiveUS /dɪˈklerd/
made known or openly avowed
From this reading “You cannot escape, Sylvester,” declared Kent, observing his efforts.
detective'snounUS /dɪˈtektɪvz/
possessive form of “detective” — a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
dumbadjectiveUS /dʌm/
slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
effortsnounUS /ˈefərts/
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading “You cannot escape, Sylvester,” declared Kent, observing his efforts.
escapenounUS /ɪˈskeɪp/
the act of escaping physically
From this reading “You cannot escape, Sylvester,” declared Kent, observing his efforts.
exclamationsnounUS /ˌekskləˈmeɪʃənz/
plural of “exclamation” — an abrupt excited utterance
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
expressionnounUS /ɪkˈspreʃən/
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
firmadjectiveUS /fɜːrm/
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading “Your carelessness in using your peculiar gift of penmanship in copying Barbara McIntyre's signature in this memorandum of her visit here”--Kent held up a sheet torn from his pad, “gave me the first clew.
freeverbUS /friː/
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
freshlyadverbUS /ˈfreʃli/
very recently
From this reading These, the second,” he showed several pieces of blotting paper freshly used.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
furynounUS /ˈfjʊri/
a feeling of intense anger
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading “Your carelessness in using your peculiar gift of penmanship in copying Barbara McIntyre's signature in this memorandum of her visit here”--Kent held up a sheet torn from his pad, “gave me the first clew.
giftnounUS /ɡɪft/
something acquired without compensation
From this reading “Your carelessness in using your peculiar gift of penmanship in copying Barbara McIntyre's signature in this memorandum of her visit here”--Kent held up a sheet torn from his pad, “gave me the first clew.
givingnounUS /ˈɡɪvɪŋ/
the act of giving
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
gripnounUS /ɡrɪp/
the act of grasping
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
handwritings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “See, in the mirror here is reflected the impression from your clever imitations of the handwritings of Barbara, Colonel McIntyre, and Mrs. Brewster.”
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading These, the second,” he showed several pieces of blotting paper freshly used.
heldadjectiveUS /held/
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading “Your carelessness in using your peculiar gift of penmanship in copying Barbara McIntyre's signature in this memorandum of her visit here”--Kent held up a sheet torn from his pad, “gave me the first clew.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “Your carelessness in using your peculiar gift of penmanship in copying Barbara McIntyre's signature in this memorandum of her visit here”--Kent held up a sheet torn from his pad, “gave me the first clew.
hereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “Your carelessness in using your peculiar gift of penmanship in copying Barbara McIntyre's signature in this memorandum of her visit here”--Kent held up a sheet torn from his pad, “gave me the first clew.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
imitationsnounUS /ˌɪmɪˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “imitation” — the doctrine that representations of nature or human behavior should be accurate imitations
From this reading “See, in the mirror here is reflected the impression from your clever imitations of the handwritings of Barbara, Colonel McIntyre, and Mrs. Brewster.”
impressionnounUS /ˌɪmˈpreʃən/
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading “See, in the mirror here is reflected the impression from your clever imitations of the handwritings of Barbara, Colonel McIntyre, and Mrs. Brewster.”
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “See, in the mirror here is reflected the impression from your clever imitations of the handwritings of Barbara, Colonel McIntyre, and Mrs. Brewster.”
KentnounUS /kent/
a county in southeastern England on the English Channel; formerly an Anglo-Saxon kingdom, it was the first to be colonized by the Romans
From this reading “You cannot escape, Sylvester,” declared Kent, observing his efforts.
McIntyre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “See, in the mirror here is reflected the impression from your clever imitations of the handwritings of Barbara, Colonel McIntyre, and Mrs. Brewster.”
McIntyre's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Your carelessness in using your peculiar gift of penmanship in copying Barbara McIntyre's signature in this memorandum of her visit here”--Kent held up a sheet torn from his pad, “gave me the first clew.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Your carelessness in using your peculiar gift of penmanship in copying Barbara McIntyre's signature in this memorandum of her visit here”--Kent held up a sheet torn from his pad, “gave me the first clew.
memorandumnounUS /ˌmemərˈændəm/
a written proposal or reminder
From this reading “Your carelessness in using your peculiar gift of penmanship in copying Barbara McIntyre's signature in this memorandum of her visit here”--Kent held up a sheet torn from his pad, “gave me the first clew.
mirrornounUS /ˈmɪrər/
polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading “See, in the mirror here is reflected the impression from your clever imitations of the handwritings of Barbara, Colonel McIntyre, and Mrs. Brewster.”
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading “See, in the mirror here is reflected the impression from your clever imitations of the handwritings of Barbara, Colonel McIntyre, and Mrs. Brewster.”
observingadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvɪŋ/
quick to notice; showing quick and keen perception
From this reading “You cannot escape, Sylvester,” declared Kent, observing his efforts.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
padnounUS /pæd/
a number of sheets of paper fastened together along one edge
From this reading “Your carelessness in using your peculiar gift of penmanship in copying Barbara McIntyre's signature in this memorandum of her visit here”--Kent held up a sheet torn from his pad, “gave me the first clew.
papernounUS /ˈpeɪpər/
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading These, the second,” he showed several pieces of blotting paper freshly used.
peculiaradjectiveUS /pəˈkjuːljər/
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading “Your carelessness in using your peculiar gift of penmanship in copying Barbara McIntyre's signature in this memorandum of her visit here”--Kent held up a sheet torn from his pad, “gave me the first clew.
penmanshipnoun
beautiful handwriting
From this reading “Your carelessness in using your peculiar gift of penmanship in copying Barbara McIntyre's signature in this memorandum of her visit here”--Kent held up a sheet torn from his pad, “gave me the first clew.
piecesnounUS /ˈpiːsəz/
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading These, the second,” he showed several pieces of blotting paper freshly used.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
reflectedadjectiveUS /rɪˈflektɪd/
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading “See, in the mirror here is reflected the impression from your clever imitations of the handwritings of Barbara, Colonel McIntyre, and Mrs. Brewster.”
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
secondnounUS /ˈsekənd/
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading These, the second,” he showed several pieces of blotting paper freshly used.
SeeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “See, in the mirror here is reflected the impression from your clever imitations of the handwritings of Barbara, Colonel McIntyre, and Mrs. Brewster.”
severaladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading These, the second,” he showed several pieces of blotting paper freshly used.
sheetnounUS /ʃiːt/
any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading “Your carelessness in using your peculiar gift of penmanship in copying Barbara McIntyre's signature in this memorandum of her visit here”--Kent held up a sheet torn from his pad, “gave me the first clew.
showedverbUS /ʃoʊd/
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading These, the second,” he showed several pieces of blotting paper freshly used.
signaturenounUS /ˈsɪɡnətʃər/
your name written in your own handwriting
From this reading “Your carelessness in using your peculiar gift of penmanship in copying Barbara McIntyre's signature in this memorandum of her visit here”--Kent held up a sheet torn from his pad, “gave me the first clew.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
struggledverbUS /ˈstrʌɡəld/
past form of “struggle” — make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
surprisenounUS /sərˈpraɪz/
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
Sylvester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These, the second,” he showed several pieces of blotting paper freshly used.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “Your carelessness in using your peculiar gift of penmanship in copying Barbara McIntyre's signature in this memorandum of her visit here”--Kent held up a sheet torn from his pad, “gave me the first clew.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
tornadjectiveUS /tɔːrn/
having edges that are jagged from injury
From this reading “Your carelessness in using your peculiar gift of penmanship in copying Barbara McIntyre's signature in this memorandum of her visit here”--Kent held up a sheet torn from his pad, “gave me the first clew.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading “Your carelessness in using your peculiar gift of penmanship in copying Barbara McIntyre's signature in this memorandum of her visit here”--Kent held up a sheet torn from his pad, “gave me the first clew.
usedadjectiveUS /juːzd/
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading These, the second,” he showed several pieces of blotting paper freshly used.
usingnounUS /ˈjuːzɪŋ/
an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)
From this reading “Your carelessness in using your peculiar gift of penmanship in copying Barbara McIntyre's signature in this memorandum of her visit here”--Kent held up a sheet torn from his pad, “gave me the first clew.
visitverbUS /ˈvɪzɪt/
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading “Your carelessness in using your peculiar gift of penmanship in copying Barbara McIntyre's signature in this memorandum of her visit here”--Kent held up a sheet torn from his pad, “gave me the first clew.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was absolute stillness in the room; then a babble of exclamations broke out as Sylvester, his expression of dumb surprise giving place to one of fury, struggled to free himself from the detective's firm grip.
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “You cannot escape, Sylvester,” declared Kent, observing his efforts.
YourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Your carelessness in using your peculiar gift of penmanship in copying Barbara McIntyre's signature in this memorandum of her visit here”--Kent held up a sheet torn from his pad, “gave me the first clew.
