used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "A TALE UNFOLDED" It was an hour later in Lady Brenton's drawing room, and the principals in this strange drama were assembled together.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A smile came to his clean-cut lips, a triumphant light shone in his eyes, and for a moment, as he stood there, the little group about him could not fail to note the power of the man.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "A TALE UNFOLDED" It was an hour later in Lady Brenton's drawing room, and the principals in this strange drama were assembled together.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "A TALE UNFOLDED" It was an hour later in Lady Brenton's drawing room, and the principals in this strange drama were assembled together.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Cleek looked round at his attentive audience and flung back his shoulders as though he would cast the burden of this riddle forever from them.
assembledverbUS /əˈsembəld/
past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together
From this reading "A TALE UNFOLDED" It was an hour later in Lady Brenton's drawing room, and the principals in this strange drama were assembled together.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Cleek looked round at his attentive audience and flung back his shoulders as though he would cast the burden of this riddle forever from them.
attentiveadjectiveUS /əˈtentɪv/
(often followed by “to”) giving care or attention
From this reading Cleek looked round at his attentive audience and flung back his shoulders as though he would cast the burden of this riddle forever from them.
a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance
From this reading Cleek looked round at his attentive audience and flung back his shoulders as though he would cast the burden of this riddle forever from them.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Cleek looked round at his attentive audience and flung back his shoulders as though he would cast the burden of this riddle forever from them.
Brenton's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "A TALE UNFOLDED" It was an hour later in Lady Brenton's drawing room, and the principals in this strange drama were assembled together.
an onerous or difficult concern
From this reading Cleek looked round at his attentive audience and flung back his shoulders as though he would cast the burden of this riddle forever from them.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It would have certainly ended in the death of the young girl who now sat smiling and happy by the side of her lover.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A smile came to his clean-cut lips, a triumphant light shone in his eyes, and for a moment, as he stood there, the little group about him could not fail to note the power of the man.
an occurrence of something
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
put or send forth
From this reading Cleek looked round at his attentive audience and flung back his shoulders as though he would cast the burden of this riddle forever from them.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading It would have certainly ended in the death of the young girl who now sat smiling and happy by the side of her lover.
chancedverbUS /tʃænst/
past form of “chance” — be the case by chance
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
clean-cutadjective
neat and smart in appearance
From this reading A smile came to his clean-cut lips, a triumphant light shone in his eyes, and for a moment, as he stood there, the little group about him could not fail to note the power of the man.
Cleek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cleek looked round at his attentive audience and flung back his shoulders as though he would cast the burden of this riddle forever from them.
contrivedadjectiveUS /kənˈtraɪvd/
showing effects of planning or manipulation
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A smile came to his clean-cut lips, a triumphant light shone in his eyes, and for a moment, as he stood there, the little group about him could not fail to note the power of the man.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading It would have certainly ended in the death of the young girl who now sat smiling and happy by the side of her lover.
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
dramanounUS /ˈdrɑːmə/
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading "A TALE UNFOLDED" It was an hour later in Lady Brenton's drawing room, and the principals in this strange drama were assembled together.
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading "A TALE UNFOLDED" It was an hour later in Lady Brenton's drawing room, and the principals in this strange drama were assembled together.
elucidateverbUS /ɪˈluːsədeɪt/
make clear and (more) comprehensible
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
endedadjectiveUS /ˈendəd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading It would have certainly ended in the death of the young girl who now sat smiling and happy by the side of her lover.
opinion or judgment
From this reading A smile came to his clean-cut lips, a triumphant light shone in his eyes, and for a moment, as he stood there, the little group about him could not fail to note the power of the man.
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading A smile came to his clean-cut lips, a triumphant light shone in his eyes, and for a moment, as he stood there, the little group about him could not fail to note the power of the man.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading Cleek looked round at his attentive audience and flung back his shoulders as though he would cast the burden of this riddle forever from them.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A smile came to his clean-cut lips, a triumphant light shone in his eyes, and for a moment, as he stood there, the little group about him could not fail to note the power of the man.
for a limitless time
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Cleek looked round at his attentive audience and flung back his shoulders as though he would cast the burden of this riddle forever from them.
a young female
From this reading It would have certainly ended in the death of the young girl who now sat smiling and happy by the side of her lover.
highest in quality
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading A smile came to his clean-cut lips, a triumphant light shone in his eyes, and for a moment, as he stood there, the little group about him could not fail to note the power of the man.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading It would have certainly ended in the death of the young girl who now sat smiling and happy by the side of her lover.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It would have certainly ended in the death of the young girl who now sat smiling and happy by the side of her lover.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A smile came to his clean-cut lips, a triumphant light shone in his eyes, and for a moment, as he stood there, the little group about him could not fail to note the power of the man.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Cleek looked round at his attentive audience and flung back his shoulders as though he would cast the burden of this riddle forever from them.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading "A TALE UNFOLDED" It was an hour later in Lady Brenton's drawing room, and the principals in this strange drama were assembled together.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "A TALE UNFOLDED" It was an hour later in Lady Brenton's drawing room, and the principals in this strange drama were assembled together.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "A TALE UNFOLDED" It was an hour later in Lady Brenton's drawing room, and the principals in this strange drama were assembled together.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading "A TALE UNFOLDED" It was an hour later in Lady Brenton's drawing room, and the principals in this strange drama were assembled together.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading "A TALE UNFOLDED" It was an hour later in Lady Brenton's drawing room, and the principals in this strange drama were assembled together.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading A smile came to his clean-cut lips, a triumphant light shone in his eyes, and for a moment, as he stood there, the little group about him could not fail to note the power of the man.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading A smile came to his clean-cut lips, a triumphant light shone in his eyes, and for a moment, as he stood there, the little group about him could not fail to note the power of the man.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A smile came to his clean-cut lips, a triumphant light shone in his eyes, and for a moment, as he stood there, the little group about him could not fail to note the power of the man.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Cleek looked round at his attentive audience and flung back his shoulders as though he would cast the burden of this riddle forever from them.
a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading It would have certainly ended in the death of the young girl who now sat smiling and happy by the side of her lover.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
a particular point in time
From this reading A smile came to his clean-cut lips, a triumphant light shone in his eyes, and for a moment, as he stood there, the little group about him could not fail to note the power of the man.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
a brief written record
From this reading A smile came to his clean-cut lips, a triumphant light shone in his eyes, and for a moment, as he stood there, the little group about him could not fail to note the power of the man.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It would have certainly ended in the death of the young girl who now sat smiling and happy by the side of her lover.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It would have certainly ended in the death of the young girl who now sat smiling and happy by the side of her lover.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading A smile came to his clean-cut lips, a triumphant light shone in his eyes, and for a moment, as he stood there, the little group about him could not fail to note the power of the man.
principalsnounUS /ˈprɪnsəpəlz/
plural of “principal” — the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
From this reading "A TALE UNFOLDED" It was an hour later in Lady Brenton's drawing room, and the principals in this strange drama were assembled together.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
riddleverbUS /ˈrɪdəl/
pierce with many holes
From this reading Cleek looked round at his attentive audience and flung back his shoulders as though he would cast the burden of this riddle forever from them.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading "A TALE UNFOLDED" It was an hour later in Lady Brenton's drawing room, and the principals in this strange drama were assembled together.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Cleek looked round at his attentive audience and flung back his shoulders as though he would cast the burden of this riddle forever from them.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading It would have certainly ended in the death of the young girl who now sat smiling and happy by the side of her lover.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading A smile came to his clean-cut lips, a triumphant light shone in his eyes, and for a moment, as he stood there, the little group about him could not fail to note the power of the man.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading Cleek looked round at his attentive audience and flung back his shoulders as though he would cast the burden of this riddle forever from them.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading It would have certainly ended in the death of the young girl who now sat smiling and happy by the side of her lover.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading A smile came to his clean-cut lips, a triumphant light shone in his eyes, and for a moment, as he stood there, the little group about him could not fail to note the power of the man.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading It would have certainly ended in the death of the young girl who now sat smiling and happy by the side of her lover.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A smile came to his clean-cut lips, a triumphant light shone in his eyes, and for a moment, as he stood there, the little group about him could not fail to note the power of the man.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading "A TALE UNFOLDED" It was an hour later in Lady Brenton's drawing room, and the principals in this strange drama were assembled together.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
carry out
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
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 "A TALE UNFOLDED" It was an hour later in Lady Brenton's drawing room, and the principals in this strange drama were assembled together.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "A TALE UNFOLDED" It was an hour later in Lady Brenton's drawing room, and the principals in this strange drama were assembled together.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Cleek looked round at his attentive audience and flung back his shoulders as though he would cast the burden of this riddle forever from them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A smile came to his clean-cut lips, a triumphant light shone in his eyes, and for a moment, as he stood there, the little group about him could not fail to note the power of the man.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "A TALE UNFOLDED" It was an hour later in Lady Brenton's drawing room, and the principals in this strange drama were assembled together.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Cleek looked round at his attentive audience and flung back his shoulders as though he would cast the burden of this riddle forever from them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading "A TALE UNFOLDED" It was an hour later in Lady Brenton's drawing room, and the principals in this strange drama were assembled together.
triumphantadjectiveUS /traɪˈʌmfənt/
joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success
From this reading A smile came to his clean-cut lips, a triumphant light shone in his eyes, and for a moment, as he stood there, the little group about him could not fail to note the power of the man.
UNFOLDEDverbUS /ənˈfoʊldɪd/
past form of “unfold” — develop or come to a promising stage
From this reading "A TALE UNFOLDED" It was an hour later in Lady Brenton's drawing room, and the principals in this strange drama were assembled together.
unsolvedadjectiveUS /ənˈsɑːlvd/
not solved
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "A TALE UNFOLDED" It was an hour later in Lady Brenton's drawing room, and the principals in this strange drama were assembled together.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "A TALE UNFOLDED" It was an hour later in Lady Brenton's drawing room, and the principals in this strange drama were assembled together.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
which person or people
From this reading It would have certainly ended in the death of the young girl who now sat smiling and happy by the side of her lover.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading They were filled with curiosity to hear how this man, the greatest detective the Yard possessed, had contrived to elucidate the mystery; a mystery which they felt sure would have remained unsolved forever had he not chanced to take up the case.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading It would have certainly ended in the death of the young girl who now sat smiling and happy by the side of her lover.
