used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A first stage in the inquiry had now been reached, with results that seemed promising, and were yet contradictory.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading No doubt the watch to be set on the Countess might lead to something yet—something to bring first plausible suspicion to a triumphant issue; but the examination of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading No doubt the watch to be set on the Countess might lead to something yet—something to bring first plausible suspicion to a triumphant issue; but the examination of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The Countess might have some confederate among them—this pestilent English General, perhaps, who had made himself so conspicuous in her defence; or some one of them might throw light upon her movements, upon her conduct during the journey.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A first stage in the inquiry had now been reached, with results that seemed promising, and were yet contradictory.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading No doubt the watch to be set on the Countess might lead to something yet—something to bring first plausible suspicion to a triumphant issue; but the examination of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A first stage in the inquiry had now been reached, with results that seemed promising, and were yet contradictory.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading No doubt the watch to be set on the Countess might lead to something yet—something to bring first plausible suspicion to a triumphant issue; but the examination of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading No doubt the watch to be set on the Countess might lead to something yet—something to bring first plausible suspicion to a triumphant issue; but the examination of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Then, with a spasm of self-reproach, M. Floçon remembered that two distinct suggestions had been made to him by two of the travellers, and that, so far, he had neglected them.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading No doubt the watch to be set on the Countess might lead to something yet—something to bring first plausible suspicion to a triumphant issue; but the examination of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account.
direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading The Countess might have some confederate among them—this pestilent English General, perhaps, who had made himself so conspicuous in her defence; or some one of them might throw light upon her movements, upon her conduct during the journey.
confederatenounUS /kənˈfedərət/
a supporter of the Confederate States of America
From this reading The Countess might have some confederate among them—this pestilent English General, perhaps, who had made himself so conspicuous in her defence; or some one of them might throw light upon her movements, upon her conduct during the journey.
conspicuousadjectiveUS /kənˈspɪkjuːəs/
obvious to the eye or mind
From this reading The Countess might have some confederate among them—this pestilent English General, perhaps, who had made himself so conspicuous in her defence; or some one of them might throw light upon her movements, upon her conduct during the journey.
contradictoryadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːntrəˈdɪktəri/
of words or propositions so related that both cannot be true and both cannot be false
From this reading A first stage in the inquiry had now been reached, with results that seemed promising, and were yet contradictory.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading One was the significant hint from the Italian that he could materially help the inquiry.
female equivalent of a count or earl
From this reading No doubt the watch to be set on the Countess might lead to something yet—something to bring first plausible suspicion to a triumphant issue; but the examination of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account.
defencenounUS /dɪˈfens/
(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
From this reading The Countess might have some confederate among them—this pestilent English General, perhaps, who had made himself so conspicuous in her defence; or some one of them might throw light upon her movements, upon her conduct during the journey.
distinctadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋkt/
(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality
From this reading Then, with a spasm of self-reproach, M. Floçon remembered that two distinct suggestions had been made to him by two of the travellers, and that, so far, he had neglected them.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading No doubt the watch to be set on the Countess might lead to something yet—something to bring first plausible suspicion to a triumphant issue; but the examination of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading The Countess might have some confederate among them—this pestilent English General, perhaps, who had made himself so conspicuous in her defence; or some one of them might throw light upon her movements, upon her conduct during the journey.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading The Countess might have some confederate among them—this pestilent English General, perhaps, who had made himself so conspicuous in her defence; or some one of them might throw light upon her movements, upon her conduct during the journey.
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading No doubt the watch to be set on the Countess might lead to something yet—something to bring first plausible suspicion to a triumphant issue; but the examination of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Then, with a spasm of self-reproach, M. Floçon remembered that two distinct suggestions had been made to him by two of the travellers, and that, so far, he had neglected them.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading A first stage in the inquiry had now been reached, with results that seemed promising, and were yet contradictory.
Floçon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, with a spasm of self-reproach, M. Floçon remembered that two distinct suggestions had been made to him by two of the travellers, and that, so far, he had neglected them.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading One was the significant hint from the Italian that he could materially help the inquiry.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading The Countess might have some confederate among them—this pestilent English General, perhaps, who had made himself so conspicuous in her defence; or some one of them might throw light upon her movements, upon her conduct during the journey.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A first stage in the inquiry had now been reached, with results that seemed promising, and were yet contradictory.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The Countess might have some confederate among them—this pestilent English General, perhaps, who had made himself so conspicuous in her defence; or some one of them might throw light upon her movements, upon her conduct during the journey.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then, with a spasm of self-reproach, M. Floçon remembered that two distinct suggestions had been made to him by two of the travellers, and that, so far, he had neglected them.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading One was the significant hint from the Italian that he could materially help the inquiry.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The Countess might have some confederate among them—this pestilent English General, perhaps, who had made himself so conspicuous in her defence; or some one of them might throw light upon her movements, upon her conduct during the journey.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then, with a spasm of self-reproach, M. Floçon remembered that two distinct suggestions had been made to him by two of the travellers, and that, so far, he had neglected them.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The Countess might have some confederate among them—this pestilent English General, perhaps, who had made himself so conspicuous in her defence; or some one of them might throw light upon her movements, upon her conduct during the journey.
an indirect suggestion
From this reading One was the significant hint from the Italian that he could materially help the inquiry.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A first stage in the inquiry had now been reached, with results that seemed promising, and were yet contradictory.
a search for knowledge
From this reading A first stage in the inquiry had now been reached, with results that seemed promising, and were yet contradictory.
issueverbUS /ˈɪʃuː/
prepare and issue for public distribution or sale
From this reading No doubt the watch to be set on the Countess might lead to something yet—something to bring first plausible suspicion to a triumphant issue; but the examination of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account.
a native or inhabitant of Italy
From this reading One was the significant hint from the Italian that he could materially help the inquiry.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading The Countess might have some confederate among them—this pestilent English General, perhaps, who had made himself so conspicuous in her defence; or some one of them might throw light upon her movements, upon her conduct during the journey.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading No doubt the watch to be set on the Countess might lead to something yet—something to bring first plausible suspicion to a triumphant issue; but the examination of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The Countess might have some confederate among them—this pestilent English General, perhaps, who had made himself so conspicuous in her defence; or some one of them might throw light upon her movements, upon her conduct during the journey.
the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
From this reading Then, with a spasm of self-reproach, M. Floçon remembered that two distinct suggestions had been made to him by two of the travellers, and that, so far, he had neglected them.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The Countess might have some confederate among them—this pestilent English General, perhaps, who had made himself so conspicuous in her defence; or some one of them might throw light upon her movements, upon her conduct during the journey.
materiallyadverbUS /məˈtɪriəli/
with respect to material aspects
From this reading One was the significant hint from the Italian that he could materially help the inquiry.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading No doubt the watch to be set on the Countess might lead to something yet—something to bring first plausible suspicion to a triumphant issue; but the examination of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account.
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading The Countess might have some confederate among them—this pestilent English General, perhaps, who had made himself so conspicuous in her defence; or some one of them might throw light upon her movements, upon her conduct during the journey.
neglectedadjectiveUS /nəˈɡlektəd/
disregarded
From this reading Then, with a spasm of self-reproach, M. Floçon remembered that two distinct suggestions had been made to him by two of the travellers, and that, so far, he had neglected them.
not any; not one
From this reading No doubt the watch to be set on the Countess might lead to something yet—something to bring first plausible suspicion to a triumphant issue; but the examination of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading No doubt the watch to be set on the Countess might lead to something yet—something to bring first plausible suspicion to a triumphant issue; but the examination of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading A first stage in the inquiry had now been reached, with results that seemed promising, and were yet contradictory.
occupantsnounUS /ˈɑːkjəpənts/
plural of “occupant” — someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
From this reading No doubt the watch to be set on the Countess might lead to something yet—something to bring first plausible suspicion to a triumphant issue; but the examination of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading No doubt the watch to be set on the Countess might lead to something yet—something to bring first plausible suspicion to a triumphant issue; but the examination of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading No doubt the watch to be set on the Countess might lead to something yet—something to bring first plausible suspicion to a triumphant issue; but the examination of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The Countess might have some confederate among them—this pestilent English General, perhaps, who had made himself so conspicuous in her defence; or some one of them might throw light upon her movements, upon her conduct during the journey.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The Countess might have some confederate among them—this pestilent English General, perhaps, who had made himself so conspicuous in her defence; or some one of them might throw light upon her movements, upon her conduct during the journey.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading No doubt the watch to be set on the Countess might lead to something yet—something to bring first plausible suspicion to a triumphant issue; but the examination of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account.
by chance
From this reading The Countess might have some confederate among them—this pestilent English General, perhaps, who had made himself so conspicuous in her defence; or some one of them might throw light upon her movements, upon her conduct during the journey.
pestilentadjective
exceedingly harmful
From this reading The Countess might have some confederate among them—this pestilent English General, perhaps, who had made himself so conspicuous in her defence; or some one of them might throw light upon her movements, upon her conduct during the journey.
plausibleadjectiveUS /ˈplɔːzəbəl/
apparently reasonable and credible, and therefore convincing
From this reading No doubt the watch to be set on the Countess might lead to something yet—something to bring first plausible suspicion to a triumphant issue; but the examination of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account.
promisingadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːməsɪŋ/
showing possibility of achievement or excellence
From this reading A first stage in the inquiry had now been reached, with results that seemed promising, and were yet contradictory.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading A first stage in the inquiry had now been reached, with results that seemed promising, and were yet contradictory.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading Then, with a spasm of self-reproach, M. Floçon remembered that two distinct suggestions had been made to him by two of the travellers, and that, so far, he had neglected them.
resultsnounUS /rɪˈzʌlts/
plural of “result” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading A first stage in the inquiry had now been reached, with results that seemed promising, and were yet contradictory.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A first stage in the inquiry had now been reached, with results that seemed promising, and were yet contradictory.
self-reproachnoun
a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)
From this reading Then, with a spasm of self-reproach, M. Floçon remembered that two distinct suggestions had been made to him by two of the travellers, and that, so far, he had neglected them.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading No doubt the watch to be set on the Countess might lead to something yet—something to bring first plausible suspicion to a triumphant issue; but the examination of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading No doubt the watch to be set on the Countess might lead to something yet—something to bring first plausible suspicion to a triumphant issue; but the examination of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account.
significantadjectiveUS /səɡˈnɪfɪkənt/
important in effect or meaning
From this reading One was the significant hint from the Italian that he could materially help the inquiry.
slackenverbUS /ˈslækən/
become slow or slower
From this reading No doubt the watch to be set on the Countess might lead to something yet—something to bring first plausible suspicion to a triumphant issue; but the examination of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The Countess might have some confederate among them—this pestilent English General, perhaps, who had made himself so conspicuous in her defence; or some one of them might throw light upon her movements, upon her conduct during the journey.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The Countess might have some confederate among them—this pestilent English General, perhaps, who had made himself so conspicuous in her defence; or some one of them might throw light upon her movements, upon her conduct during the journey.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading No doubt the watch to be set on the Countess might lead to something yet—something to bring first plausible suspicion to a triumphant issue; but the examination of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account.
spasmnounUS /ˈspæzəm/
a painful and involuntary muscular contraction
From this reading Then, with a spasm of self-reproach, M. Floçon remembered that two distinct suggestions had been made to him by two of the travellers, and that, so far, he had neglected them.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading A first stage in the inquiry had now been reached, with results that seemed promising, and were yet contradictory.
suggestionsnounUS /səˈdʒestʃənz/
plural of “suggestion” — an idea that is suggested
From this reading Then, with a spasm of self-reproach, M. Floçon remembered that two distinct suggestions had been made to him by two of the travellers, and that, so far, he had neglected them.
an impression that something might be the case
From this reading No doubt the watch to be set on the Countess might lead to something yet—something to bring first plausible suspicion to a triumphant issue; but the examination of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A first stage in the inquiry had now been reached, with results that seemed promising, and were yet contradictory.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A first stage in the inquiry had now been reached, with results that seemed promising, and were yet contradictory.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The Countess might have some confederate among them—this pestilent English General, perhaps, who had made himself so conspicuous in her defence; or some one of them might throw light upon her movements, upon her conduct during the journey.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, with a spasm of self-reproach, M. Floçon remembered that two distinct suggestions had been made to him by two of the travellers, and that, so far, he had neglected them.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The Countess might have some confederate among them—this pestilent English General, perhaps, who had made himself so conspicuous in her defence; or some one of them might throw light upon her movements, upon her conduct during the journey.
propel through the air
From this reading The Countess might have some confederate among them—this pestilent English General, perhaps, who had made himself so conspicuous in her defence; or some one of them might throw light upon her movements, upon her conduct during the journey.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading No doubt the watch to be set on the Countess might lead to something yet—something to bring first plausible suspicion to a triumphant issue; but the examination of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account.
travellersnounUS /ˈtrævələrz/
plural of “traveller” — a person who changes location
From this reading Then, with a spasm of self-reproach, M. Floçon remembered that two distinct suggestions had been made to him by two of the travellers, and that, so far, he had neglected them.
triumphantadjectiveUS /traɪˈʌmfənt/
joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success
From this reading No doubt the watch to be set on the Countess might lead to something yet—something to bring first plausible suspicion to a triumphant issue; but the examination of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Then, with a spasm of self-reproach, M. Floçon remembered that two distinct suggestions had been made to him by two of the travellers, and that, so far, he had neglected them.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The Countess might have some confederate among them—this pestilent English General, perhaps, who had made himself so conspicuous in her defence; or some one of them might throw light upon her movements, upon her conduct during the journey.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One was the significant hint from the Italian that he could materially help the inquiry.
look attentively
From this reading No doubt the watch to be set on the Countess might lead to something yet—something to bring first plausible suspicion to a triumphant issue; but the examination of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A first stage in the inquiry had now been reached, with results that seemed promising, and were yet contradictory.
which person or people
From this reading The Countess might have some confederate among them—this pestilent English General, perhaps, who had made himself so conspicuous in her defence; or some one of them might throw light upon her movements, upon her conduct during the journey.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A first stage in the inquiry had now been reached, with results that seemed promising, and were yet contradictory.
but in spite of that
From this reading A first stage in the inquiry had now been reached, with results that seemed promising, and were yet contradictory.
