used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading CLEEK MAKES A STARTLING ASSERTION Cleek and Mr. Narkom spent a busy fifteen minutes.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading CLEEK MAKES A STARTLING ASSERTION Cleek and Mr. Narkom spent a busy fifteen minutes.
appallingnounUS /əˈpɔːlɪŋ/
an experience that appalls
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
ASSERTIONnounUS /əˈsɜːrʃən/
a declaration that is made emphatically (as if no supporting evidence were necessary)
From this reading CLEEK MAKES A STARTLING ASSERTION Cleek and Mr. Narkom spent a busy fifteen minutes.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading CLEEK MAKES A STARTLING ASSERTION Cleek and Mr. Narkom spent a busy fifteen minutes.
CinnamonnounUS /ˈsɪnəmən/
aromatic bark used as a spice
From this reading "Cinnamon!" ejaculated the Superintendent for the thirty-third time since the recital of the thing.
CLEEK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CLEEK MAKES A STARTLING ASSERTION Cleek and Mr. Narkom spent a busy fifteen minutes.
cursoryadjectiveUS /ˈkɜːrsəri/
hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
dickensnounUS /ˈdɪkənz/
a word used in exclamations of confusion
From this reading If someone in the house hasn't done it, who the dickens _has_?
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading If someone in the house hasn't done it, who the dickens _has_?
ejaculated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Cinnamon!" ejaculated the Superintendent for the thirty-third time since the recital of the thing.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
past form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading CLEEK MAKES A STARTLING ASSERTION Cleek and Mr. Narkom spent a busy fifteen minutes.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
usually; as a rule
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If someone in the house hasn't done it, who the dickens _has_?
hasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If someone in the house hasn't done it, who the dickens _has_?
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading If someone in the house hasn't done it, who the dickens _has_?
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "It's a teaser, I swear!
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If someone in the house hasn't done it, who the dickens _has_?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If someone in the house hasn't done it, who the dickens _has_?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If someone in the house hasn't done it, who the dickens _has_?
It's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's a teaser, I swear!
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
a room where books are kept
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading CLEEK MAKES A STARTLING ASSERTION Cleek and Mr. Narkom spent a busy fifteen minutes.
at the same time but in another place
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
minutelyadverbUS /ˈmɪnətli/
in minute detail
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading CLEEK MAKES A STARTLING ASSERTION Cleek and Mr. Narkom spent a busy fifteen minutes.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
a form of address for a man
From this reading CLEEK MAKES A STARTLING ASSERTION Cleek and Mr. Narkom spent a busy fifteen minutes.
Narkom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CLEEK MAKES A STARTLING ASSERTION Cleek and Mr. Narkom spent a busy fifteen minutes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
recitalnounUS /rəˈsaɪtəl/
the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events
From this reading "Cinnamon!" ejaculated the Superintendent for the thirty-third time since the recital of the thing.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading "Cinnamon!" ejaculated the Superintendent for the thirty-third time since the recital of the thing.
a person, without saying who
From this reading If someone in the house hasn't done it, who the dickens _has_?
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading CLEEK MAKES A STARTLING ASSERTION Cleek and Mr. Narkom spent a busy fifteen minutes.
STARTLINGadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading CLEEK MAKES A STARTLING ASSERTION Cleek and Mr. Narkom spent a busy fifteen minutes.
SuperintendentnounUS /ˌsuːpərənˈtendənt/
a person who directs and manages an organization
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
surveynounUS /sərˈveɪ/
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
utter obscenities or profanities
From this reading "It's a teaser, I swear!
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
teasernounUS /ˈtiːzər/
a worker who teases wool
From this reading "It's a teaser, I swear!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
a special situation
From this reading "Cinnamon!" ejaculated the Superintendent for the thirty-third time since the recital of the thing.
thirty-thirdadjective
the ordinal number of thirty-three in counting order
From this reading "Cinnamon!" ejaculated the Superintendent for the thirty-third time since the recital of the thing.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "Cinnamon!" ejaculated the Superintendent for the thirty-third time since the recital of the thing.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
which person or people
From this reading If someone in the house hasn't done it, who the dickens _has_?
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Meanwhile, the Superintendent learned of the tragedy which had taken place and of what evidence Cleek had got together for him, had a cursory look round the library and at the body itself (which they examined more minutely), and generally took a survey of the whole appalling affair.
