Chapter XV · Chapter 15

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

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

-ing form of “adjust” — alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

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

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Between the rows of letters he scratched in the straight radius lines--the spokes of a wheel.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

plural of “caliper” — an instrument for measuring the distance between two points (often used in the plural)

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

past form of “capture” — succeed in representing or expressing something intangible

From this reading Next he clamped the disc on the captured coin.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading Carefully he cut the celluloid the size of a dollar, then marked the exact centre of it.

highly flammable substance made from cellulose nitrate and camphor; used in e.g. motion-picture and X-ray film; its use has decreased with the development of nonflammable thermoplastics

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

a low-lying region in central France

From this reading Carefully he cut the celluloid the size of a dollar, then marked the exact centre of it.

ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

past form of “clamp” — fasten or fix with a clamp

From this reading Next he clamped the disc on the captured coin.

make up

From this reading Next he clamped the disc on the captured coin.

the discipline that studies the principles of transmiting information and the methods by which it is delivered (as print or radio or television etc.)

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading Carefully he cut the celluloid the size of a dollar, then marked the exact centre of it.

sound recording consisting of a disk with a continuous groove; used to reproduce music by rotating while a phonograph needle tracks in the groove

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

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

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents

From this reading Carefully he cut the celluloid the size of a dollar, then marked the exact centre of it.

a very small circular shape

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

a skilled worker who draws plans of buildings or machines

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

an opposing military force

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

Strictly particular and correct.

From this reading Carefully he cut the celluloid the size of a dollar, then marked the exact centre of it.

the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

yet to be or coming

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Carefully he cut the celluloid the size of a dollar, then marked the exact centre of it.

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

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

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

From this reading Between the rows of letters he scratched in the straight radius lines--the spokes of a wheel.

being deepest within the self

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Carefully he cut the celluloid the size of a dollar, then marked the exact centre of it.

and nothing more

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

the literary culture

From this reading Between the rows of letters he scratched in the straight radius lines--the spokes of a wheel.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Between the rows of letters he scratched in the straight radius lines--the spokes of a wheel.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading Carefully he cut the celluloid the size of a dollar, then marked the exact centre of it.

concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading Next he clamped the disc on the captured coin.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Next he clamped the disc on the captured coin.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

a separate part of a whole

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

the length of a line segment between the center and circumference of a circle or sphere

From this reading Between the rows of letters he scratched in the straight radius lines--the spokes of a wheel.

plural of “row” — an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading Between the rows of letters he scratched in the straight radius lines--the spokes of a wheel.

past form of “scratch” — cause friction

From this reading Between the rows of letters he scratched in the straight radius lines--the spokes of a wheel.

a harsh noise made by scraping

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)

From this reading Carefully he cut the celluloid the size of a dollar, then marked the exact centre of it.

plural of “spoke” — support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading Between the rows of letters he scratched in the straight radius lines--the spokes of a wheel.

successive (without a break)

From this reading Between the rows of letters he scratched in the straight radius lines--the spokes of a wheel.

inflected form of “supply” — give something useful or necessary to

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

possessing sweep

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

a base found in DNA (but not in RNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

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

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Carefully he cut the celluloid the size of a dollar, then marked the exact centre of it.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

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

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

past form of “unravel” — become or cause to become undone by separating the fibers or threads of

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

a heavy grey-white metallic element; the pure form is used mainly in electrical applications; it is found in several ores including wolframite and scheelite

From this reading Then Captain Hardy put the end of one arm of his dividers in the dot at the centre of his disc, and swept the other arm around, scratching a circle just outside the first letter in the message--the innermost T. Examination showed that this circle fell just inside of the second letter in the message--the W. Adjusting his calipers, the draughtsman made a second circle, just outside of this second letter.

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

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.

change directions as if revolving on a pivot

From this reading Between the rows of letters he scratched in the straight radius lines--the spokes of a wheel.

in the company of; together with

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY UNRAVELED A piece of transparent celluloid, furnished by their host from a broken side curtain of his automobile, supplied Captain Hardy with the material needed for making the disc that was to be the key to future communications of the enemy.