used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
abysmaladjectiveUS /əˈbɪzməl/
very great; limitless
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
in the past
From this reading Miss Cheyne had been killed--oh, yes, months ago--and this man who had taken her place had murdered Lady Margaret, though it was not to be allowed to leak out.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading Miss Cheyne had been killed--oh, yes, months ago--and this man who had taken her place had murdered Lady Margaret, though it was not to be allowed to leak out.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading By nine o'clock the next morning there wasn't an inhabitant within a radius of ten miles that had not heard of the murder of Miss Cheyne, and the mysterious disappearance of Lady Margaret.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Miss Cheyne had been killed--oh, yes, months ago--and this man who had taken her place had murdered Lady Margaret, though it was not to be allowed to leak out.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Miss Cheyne had been killed--oh, yes, months ago--and this man who had taken her place had murdered Lady Margaret, though it was not to be allowed to leak out.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By nine o'clock the next morning there wasn't an inhabitant within a radius of ten miles that had not heard of the murder of Miss Cheyne, and the mysterious disappearance of Lady Margaret.
chatteringnounUS /ˈtʃætərɪŋ/
the rapid series of noises made by the parts of a machine
From this reading An hour later, the lanes and fields were thronged to overflowing with the chattering mob of sightseers, which the police, strongly reinforced by the reserves of several neighbouring hamlets, found more than a difficult task to keep in order.
Cheyne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By nine o'clock the next morning there wasn't an inhabitant within a radius of ten miles that had not heard of the murder of Miss Cheyne, and the mysterious disappearance of Lady Margaret.
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading An hour later, the lanes and fields were thronged to overflowing with the chattering mob of sightseers, which the police, strongly reinforced by the reserves of several neighbouring hamlets, found more than a difficult task to keep in order.
disappearancenounUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrəns/
the act of leaving secretly or without explanation
From this reading By nine o'clock the next morning there wasn't an inhabitant within a radius of ten miles that had not heard of the murder of Miss Cheyne, and the mysterious disappearance of Lady Margaret.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The story grew with every telling.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
the petals or sepals of a flower that bend downward (especially the outer perianth of an iris)
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading An hour later, the lanes and fields were thronged to overflowing with the chattering mob of sightseers, which the police, strongly reinforced by the reserves of several neighbouring hamlets, found more than a difficult task to keep in order.
set up or found
From this reading An hour later, the lanes and fields were thronged to overflowing with the chattering mob of sightseers, which the police, strongly reinforced by the reserves of several neighbouring hamlets, found more than a difficult task to keep in order.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading The story grew with every telling.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading By nine o'clock the next morning there wasn't an inhabitant within a radius of ten miles that had not heard of the murder of Miss Cheyne, and the mysterious disappearance of Lady Margaret.
hamletsnounUS /ˈhæmləts/
plural of “hamlet” — a community of people smaller than a village
From this reading An hour later, the lanes and fields were thronged to overflowing with the chattering mob of sightseers, which the police, strongly reinforced by the reserves of several neighbouring hamlets, found more than a difficult task to keep in order.
HamptonnounUS /ˈhæmptən/
United States musician who was the first to use the vibraphone as a jazz instrument (1913-2002)
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading By nine o'clock the next morning there wasn't an inhabitant within a radius of ten miles that had not heard of the murder of Miss Cheyne, and the mysterious disappearance of Lady Margaret.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Miss Cheyne had been killed--oh, yes, months ago--and this man who had taken her place had murdered Lady Margaret, though it was not to be allowed to leak out.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading An hour later, the lanes and fields were thronged to overflowing with the chattering mob of sightseers, which the police, strongly reinforced by the reserves of several neighbouring hamlets, found more than a difficult task to keep in order.
hurricanenounUS /ˈhɜːrəkeɪn/
a severe tropical cyclone usually with heavy rains and winds moving at 63-136 knots (12 on the Beaufort scale)
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
inhabitantnounUS /ɪnˈhæbətənt/
a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading By nine o'clock the next morning there wasn't an inhabitant within a radius of ten miles that had not heard of the murder of Miss Cheyne, and the mysterious disappearance of Lady Margaret.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading An hour later, the lanes and fields were thronged to overflowing with the chattering mob of sightseers, which the police, strongly reinforced by the reserves of several neighbouring hamlets, found more than a difficult task to keep in order.
past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading Miss Cheyne had been killed--oh, yes, months ago--and this man who had taken her place had murdered Lady Margaret, though it was not to be allowed to leak out.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading By nine o'clock the next morning there wasn't an inhabitant within a radius of ten miles that had not heard of the murder of Miss Cheyne, and the mysterious disappearance of Lady Margaret.
lanesnounUS /leɪnz/
plural of “lane” — a narrow way or road
From this reading An hour later, the lanes and fields were thronged to overflowing with the chattering mob of sightseers, which the police, strongly reinforced by the reserves of several neighbouring hamlets, found more than a difficult task to keep in order.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading An hour later, the lanes and fields were thronged to overflowing with the chattering mob of sightseers, which the police, strongly reinforced by the reserves of several neighbouring hamlets, found more than a difficult task to keep in order.
leaknounUS /liːk/
an accidental hole that allows something (fluid or light etc.) to enter or escape
From this reading Miss Cheyne had been killed--oh, yes, months ago--and this man who had taken her place had murdered Lady Margaret, though it was not to be allowed to leak out.
leakedverbUS /liːkt/
past form of “leak” — tell anonymously
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
localadjectiveUS /ˈloʊkəl/
relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Miss Cheyne had been killed--oh, yes, months ago--and this man who had taken her place had murdered Lady Margaret, though it was not to be allowed to leak out.
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By nine o'clock the next morning there wasn't an inhabitant within a radius of ten miles that had not heard of the murder of Miss Cheyne, and the mysterious disappearance of Lady Margaret.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading By nine o'clock the next morning there wasn't an inhabitant within a radius of ten miles that had not heard of the murder of Miss Cheyne, and the mysterious disappearance of Lady Margaret.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading By nine o'clock the next morning there wasn't an inhabitant within a radius of ten miles that had not heard of the murder of Miss Cheyne, and the mysterious disappearance of Lady Margaret.
mobnounUS /mɑːb/
a disorderly crowd of people
From this reading An hour later, the lanes and fields were thronged to overflowing with the chattering mob of sightseers, which the police, strongly reinforced by the reserves of several neighbouring hamlets, found more than a difficult task to keep in order.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Miss Cheyne had been killed--oh, yes, months ago--and this man who had taken her place had murdered Lady Margaret, though it was not to be allowed to leak out.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading An hour later, the lanes and fields were thronged to overflowing with the chattering mob of sightseers, which the police, strongly reinforced by the reserves of several neighbouring hamlets, found more than a difficult task to keep in order.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading By nine o'clock the next morning there wasn't an inhabitant within a radius of ten miles that had not heard of the murder of Miss Cheyne, and the mysterious disappearance of Lady Margaret.
kill intentionally and with premeditation
From this reading By nine o'clock the next morning there wasn't an inhabitant within a radius of ten miles that had not heard of the murder of Miss Cheyne, and the mysterious disappearance of Lady Margaret.
murderedadjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrdərd/
killed unlawfully
From this reading Miss Cheyne had been killed--oh, yes, months ago--and this man who had taken her place had murdered Lady Margaret, though it was not to be allowed to leak out.
of an obscure nature
From this reading By nine o'clock the next morning there wasn't an inhabitant within a radius of ten miles that had not heard of the murder of Miss Cheyne, and the mysterious disappearance of Lady Margaret.
neighbouringverbUS /ˈneɪbərɪŋ/
-ing form of “neighbour” — live or be located as a neighbor
From this reading An hour later, the lanes and fields were thronged to overflowing with the chattering mob of sightseers, which the police, strongly reinforced by the reserves of several neighbouring hamlets, found more than a difficult task to keep in order.
information about recent and important events
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading By nine o'clock the next morning there wasn't an inhabitant within a radius of ten miles that had not heard of the murder of Miss Cheyne, and the mysterious disappearance of Lady Margaret.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading By nine o'clock the next morning there wasn't an inhabitant within a radius of ten miles that had not heard of the murder of Miss Cheyne, and the mysterious disappearance of Lady Margaret.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading By nine o'clock the next morning there wasn't an inhabitant within a radius of ten miles that had not heard of the murder of Miss Cheyne, and the mysterious disappearance of Lady Margaret.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
many times at short intervals
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading Miss Cheyne had been killed--oh, yes, months ago--and this man who had taken her place had murdered Lady Margaret, though it was not to be allowed to leak out.
on one occasion
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading An hour later, the lanes and fields were thronged to overflowing with the chattering mob of sightseers, which the police, strongly reinforced by the reserves of several neighbouring hamlets, found more than a difficult task to keep in order.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
overflowingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərfloʊɪŋ/
covered with water
From this reading An hour later, the lanes and fields were thronged to overflowing with the chattering mob of sightseers, which the police, strongly reinforced by the reserves of several neighbouring hamlets, found more than a difficult task to keep in order.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Miss Cheyne had been killed--oh, yes, months ago--and this man who had taken her place had murdered Lady Margaret, though it was not to be allowed to leak out.
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
radiusnounUS /ˈreɪdiəs/
the length of a line segment between the center and circumference of a circle or sphere
From this reading By nine o'clock the next morning there wasn't an inhabitant within a radius of ten miles that had not heard of the murder of Miss Cheyne, and the mysterious disappearance of Lady Margaret.
reinforcedadjectiveUS /ˌriːɪnˈfɔːrst/
given added strength or support
From this reading An hour later, the lanes and fields were thronged to overflowing with the chattering mob of sightseers, which the police, strongly reinforced by the reserves of several neighbouring hamlets, found more than a difficult task to keep in order.
reservesnounUS /rɪˈzɜːrvz/
civilians trained as soldiers but not part of the regular army
From this reading An hour later, the lanes and fields were thronged to overflowing with the chattering mob of sightseers, which the police, strongly reinforced by the reserves of several neighbouring hamlets, found more than a difficult task to keep in order.
respectiveadjectiveUS /rɪˈspektɪv/
considered individually
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
revelverbUS /ˈrevəl/
take delight in
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading An hour later, the lanes and fields were thronged to overflowing with the chattering mob of sightseers, which the police, strongly reinforced by the reserves of several neighbouring hamlets, found more than a difficult task to keep in order.
sightseersnounUS /ˈsaɪtˈsiːərz/
plural of “sightseer” — a tourist who is visiting sights of interest
From this reading An hour later, the lanes and fields were thronged to overflowing with the chattering mob of sightseers, which the police, strongly reinforced by the reserves of several neighbouring hamlets, found more than a difficult task to keep in order.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading The story grew with every telling.
STRANDSnounUS /strændz/
plural of “strand” — a pattern forming a unity within a larger structural whole
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
with strength or in a strong manner
From this reading An hour later, the lanes and fields were thronged to overflowing with the chattering mob of sightseers, which the police, strongly reinforced by the reserves of several neighbouring hamlets, found more than a difficult task to keep in order.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Miss Cheyne had been killed--oh, yes, months ago--and this man who had taken her place had murdered Lady Margaret, though it was not to be allowed to leak out.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading An hour later, the lanes and fields were thronged to overflowing with the chattering mob of sightseers, which the police, strongly reinforced by the reserves of several neighbouring hamlets, found more than a difficult task to keep in order.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading The story grew with every telling.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading By nine o'clock the next morning there wasn't an inhabitant within a radius of ten miles that had not heard of the murder of Miss Cheyne, and the mysterious disappearance of Lady Margaret.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading An hour later, the lanes and fields were thronged to overflowing with the chattering mob of sightseers, which the police, strongly reinforced by the reserves of several neighbouring hamlets, found more than a difficult task to keep in order.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
in or at that place or location
From this reading By nine o'clock the next morning there wasn't an inhabitant within a radius of ten miles that had not heard of the murder of Miss Cheyne, and the mysterious disappearance of Lady Margaret.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Miss Cheyne had been killed--oh, yes, months ago--and this man who had taken her place had murdered Lady Margaret, though it was not to be allowed to leak out.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Miss Cheyne had been killed--oh, yes, months ago--and this man who had taken her place had murdered Lady Margaret, though it was not to be allowed to leak out.
throngedadjectiveUS /θrɔːŋd/
filled with great numbers crowded together
From this reading An hour later, the lanes and fields were thronged to overflowing with the chattering mob of sightseers, which the police, strongly reinforced by the reserves of several neighbouring hamlets, found more than a difficult task to keep in order.
TIGHTENINGnounUS /ˈtaɪtənɪŋ/
the act of making something tighter
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
velocitynounUS /vəˈlɑːsəti/
distance travelled per unit time
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By nine o'clock the next morning there wasn't an inhabitant within a radius of ten miles that had not heard of the murder of Miss Cheyne, and the mysterious disappearance of Lady Margaret.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading An hour later, the lanes and fields were thronged to overflowing with the chattering mob of sightseers, which the police, strongly reinforced by the reserves of several neighbouring hamlets, found more than a difficult task to keep in order.
at the time that
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading An hour later, the lanes and fields were thronged to overflowing with the chattering mob of sightseers, which the police, strongly reinforced by the reserves of several neighbouring hamlets, found more than a difficult task to keep in order.
which person or people
From this reading Miss Cheyne had been killed--oh, yes, months ago--and this man who had taken her place had murdered Lady Margaret, though it was not to be allowed to leak out.
in the company of; together with
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading By nine o'clock the next morning there wasn't an inhabitant within a radius of ten miles that had not heard of the murder of Miss Cheyne, and the mysterious disappearance of Lady Margaret.
wivesnounUS /waɪvz/
plural of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading TIGHTENING THE STRANDS It is not often that it falls to the lot of any village to revel in such abysmal depths of excitement as did the village of Hampton when the news leaked out, and once the affair was known to the local police and their respective wives, the news of the tragedy spread with the velocity of a hurricane.
an affirmative
From this reading Miss Cheyne had been killed--oh, yes, months ago--and this man who had taken her place had murdered Lady Margaret, though it was not to be allowed to leak out.
