Chapter XVI

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

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

in the past

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

(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 CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

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

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

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

From this reading Oh, no, not through any special power of deduction or any super-human nonsense of that sort, but simply and solely through my memory.

replying

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Oh, no, not through any special power of deduction or any super-human nonsense of that sort, but simply and solely through my memory.

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

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

a bell tower; usually stands alone unattached to a building

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading "Well, to tell you the truth, I think I got the very first inkling from the ringing of the bells.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Oh, no, not through any special power of deduction or any super-human nonsense of that sort, but simply and solely through my memory.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

an enclosure made or wire or metal bars in which birds or animals can be kept

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

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

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

a reduction in the gross amount on which a tax is calculated; reduces taxes by the percentage fixed for the taxpayer's income bracket

From this reading Oh, no, not through any special power of deduction or any super-human nonsense of that sort, but simply and solely through my memory.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

-ing form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

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

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

possessive form of “duke” — a British peer of the highest rank

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

a stable situation in which forces cancel one another

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

having escaped, especially from confinement

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

third-person singular of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading "Well, to tell you the truth, I think I got the very first inkling from the ringing of the bells.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "Well, to tell you the truth, I think I got the very first inkling from the ringing of the bells.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading "Well, to tell you the truth, I think I got the very first inkling from the ringing of the bells.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

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

From this reading You will remember that I said Overton was not very original in his methods.

inflected form of “hop” — jump lightly

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

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

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

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

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

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

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

without knowledge or intention

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

a slight suggestion or vague understanding

From this reading "Well, to tell you the truth, I think I got the very first inkling from the ringing of the bells.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading Oh, no, not through any special power of deduction or any super-human nonsense of that sort, but simply and solely through my memory.

plural of “method” — a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)

From this reading You will remember that I said Overton was not very original in his methods.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

any of various long-tailed primates (excluding the prosimians)

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Oh, no, not through any special power of deduction or any super-human nonsense of that sort, but simply and solely through my memory.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

not any; not one

From this reading Oh, no, not through any special power of deduction or any super-human nonsense of that sort, but simply and solely through my memory.

a message that seems to convey no meaning

From this reading Oh, no, not through any special power of deduction or any super-human nonsense of that sort, but simply and solely through my memory.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Oh, no, not through any special power of deduction or any super-human nonsense of that sort, but simply and solely through my memory.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Well, to tell you the truth, I think I got the very first inkling from the ringing of the bells.

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading Oh, no, not through any special power of deduction or any super-human nonsense of that sort, but simply and solely through my memory.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed

From this reading You will remember that I said Overton was not very original in his methods.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

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

From this reading You will remember that I said Overton was not very original in his methods.

possession of controlling influence

From this reading Oh, no, not through any special power of deduction or any super-human nonsense of that sort, but simply and solely through my memory.

an instance of questioning

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

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

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

To recall to mind.

From this reading You will remember that I said Overton was not very original in his methods.

the sound of a bell ringing

From this reading "Well, to tell you the truth, I think I got the very first inkling from the ringing of the bells.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

and nothing more

From this reading Oh, no, not through any special power of deduction or any super-human nonsense of that sort, but simply and solely through my memory.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

without any others being included or involved

From this reading Oh, no, not through any special power of deduction or any super-human nonsense of that sort, but simply and solely through my memory.

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

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading Oh, no, not through any special power of deduction or any super-human nonsense of that sort, but simply and solely through my memory.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading Oh, no, not through any special power of deduction or any super-human nonsense of that sort, but simply and solely through my memory.

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

From this reading Oh, no, not through any special power of deduction or any super-human nonsense of that sort, but simply and solely through my memory.

the natives or inhabitants of Switzerland

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

express in words

From this reading "Well, to tell you the truth, I think I got the very first inkling from the ringing of the bells.

past form of “terrorize” — coerce by violence or with threats

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Oh, no, not through any special power of deduction or any super-human nonsense of that sort, but simply and solely through my memory.

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

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

a special situation

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading "Well, to tell you the truth, I think I got the very first inkling from the ringing of the bells.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Oh, no, not through any special power of deduction or any super-human nonsense of that sort, but simply and solely through my memory.

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

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

a fact that has been verified

From this reading "Well, to tell you the truth, I think I got the very first inkling from the ringing of the bells.

precisely as stated

From this reading "Well, to tell you the truth, I think I got the very first inkling from the ringing of the bells.

an official residence provided by a church for its parson or vicar or rector

From this reading CLEEK EXPLAINS "How did I manage to find the thing out?" said Cleek, answering the duke's query as they all sat together in the vicarage drawing-room, an hour or more afterward, discussing the affair.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

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

From this reading You will remember that I said Overton was not very original in his methods.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading "Well, to tell you the truth, I think I got the very first inkling from the ringing of the bells.

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

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading You will remember that I said Overton was not very original in his methods.

a late time of life

From this reading Well, it so happened that I recalled the circumstance of a monkey which escaped from its cage and terrorized a Swiss village some years ago by climbing into the church belfry and inadvertently setting the bells ringing in the middle of the night by hopping from one to the other in an effort to maintain its equilibrium.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Well, to tell you the truth, I think I got the very first inkling from the ringing of the bells.