used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SOMEBODY LOSES THE BOOKS When Harvey went to dinner in the evening he left a force of ten detectives guarding the offices.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading One man stood in the hall, in a position to watch the stairway and the windows at each end; one patrolled the waiting room; and the ninth man strolled about in front of the building, loitering in the shadows and watching the street with trained eye.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Jim, who had spent the afternoon with Harvey, superintended the placing of the men.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mallory, the lieutenant in charge, was ensconced in the Superintendent's office, and six of his assistants were with him, privileged to doze until called.
assistantsnounUS /əˈsɪstənts/
plural of “assistant” — a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading Mallory, the lieutenant in charge, was ensconced in the Superintendent's office, and six of his assistants were with him, privileged to doze until called.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading One man stood in the hall, in a position to watch the stairway and the windows at each end; one patrolled the waiting room; and the ninth man strolled about in front of the building, loitering in the shadows and watching the street with trained eye.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before leaving the station Jim had a short talk with Mallory.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading SOMEBODY LOSES THE BOOKS When Harvey went to dinner in the evening he left a force of ten detectives guarding the offices.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading One man stood in the hall, in a position to watch the stairway and the windows at each end; one patrolled the waiting room; and the ninth man strolled about in front of the building, loitering in the shadows and watching the street with trained eye.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Mallory, the lieutenant in charge, was ensconced in the Superintendent's office, and six of his assistants were with him, privileged to doze until called.
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
From this reading Mallory, the lieutenant in charge, was ensconced in the Superintendent's office, and six of his assistants were with him, privileged to doze until called.
detectivesnounUS /dɪˈtektɪvz/
plural of “detective” — a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading SOMEBODY LOSES THE BOOKS When Harvey went to dinner in the evening he left a force of ten detectives guarding the offices.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading SOMEBODY LOSES THE BOOKS When Harvey went to dinner in the evening he left a force of ten detectives guarding the offices.
dozeverbUS /doʊz/
sleep lightly or for a short period of time
From this reading Mallory, the lieutenant in charge, was ensconced in the Superintendent's office, and six of his assistants were with him, privileged to doze until called.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading One man stood in the hall, in a position to watch the stairway and the windows at each end; one patrolled the waiting room; and the ninth man strolled about in front of the building, loitering in the shadows and watching the street with trained eye.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading One man stood in the hall, in a position to watch the stairway and the windows at each end; one patrolled the waiting room; and the ninth man strolled about in front of the building, loitering in the shadows and watching the street with trained eye.
ensconcedverbUS /ɪnˈskɑːnst/
past form of “ensconce” — fix firmly
From this reading Mallory, the lieutenant in charge, was ensconced in the Superintendent's office, and six of his assistants were with him, privileged to doze until called.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading SOMEBODY LOSES THE BOOKS When Harvey went to dinner in the evening he left a force of ten detectives guarding the offices.
the organ of sight
From this reading One man stood in the hall, in a position to watch the stairway and the windows at each end; one patrolled the waiting room; and the ninth man strolled about in front of the building, loitering in the shadows and watching the street with trained eye.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading SOMEBODY LOSES THE BOOKS When Harvey went to dinner in the evening he left a force of ten detectives guarding the offices.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading One man stood in the hall, in a position to watch the stairway and the windows at each end; one patrolled the waiting room; and the ninth man strolled about in front of the building, loitering in the shadows and watching the street with trained eye.
guardingverbUS /ˈɡɑːrdɪŋ/
-ing form of “guard” — to keep watch over
From this reading SOMEBODY LOSES THE BOOKS When Harvey went to dinner in the evening he left a force of ten detectives guarding the offices.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Jim, who had spent the afternoon with Harvey, superintended the placing of the men.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading One man stood in the hall, in a position to watch the stairway and the windows at each end; one patrolled the waiting room; and the ninth man strolled about in front of the building, loitering in the shadows and watching the street with trained eye.
HarveynounUS /ˈhɑːrvi/
English physician and scientist who described the circulation of the blood; he later proposed that all animals originate from an ovum produced by the female of the species (1578-1657)
From this reading SOMEBODY LOSES THE BOOKS When Harvey went to dinner in the evening he left a force of ten detectives guarding the offices.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading SOMEBODY LOSES THE BOOKS When Harvey went to dinner in the evening he left a force of ten detectives guarding the offices.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Mallory, the lieutenant in charge, was ensconced in the Superintendent's office, and six of his assistants were with him, privileged to doze until called.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mallory, the lieutenant in charge, was ensconced in the Superintendent's office, and six of his assistants were with him, privileged to doze until called.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SOMEBODY LOSES THE BOOKS When Harvey went to dinner in the evening he left a force of ten detectives guarding the offices.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim, who had spent the afternoon with Harvey, superintended the placing of the men.
the act of departing
From this reading Before leaving the station Jim had a short talk with Mallory.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading SOMEBODY LOSES THE BOOKS When Harvey went to dinner in the evening he left a force of ten detectives guarding the offices.
a commissioned military officer
From this reading Mallory, the lieutenant in charge, was ensconced in the Superintendent's office, and six of his assistants were with him, privileged to doze until called.
loiteringverbUS /ˈlɔɪtərɪŋ/
-ing form of “loiter” — be about
From this reading One man stood in the hall, in a position to watch the stairway and the windows at each end; one patrolled the waiting room; and the ninth man strolled about in front of the building, loitering in the shadows and watching the street with trained eye.
LOSESverbUS /ˈluːzəz/
third-person singular of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading SOMEBODY LOSES THE BOOKS When Harvey went to dinner in the evening he left a force of ten detectives guarding the offices.
Mallory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mallory, the lieutenant in charge, was ensconced in the Superintendent's office, and six of his assistants were with him, privileged to doze until called.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading One man stood in the hall, in a position to watch the stairway and the windows at each end; one patrolled the waiting room; and the ninth man strolled about in front of the building, loitering in the shadows and watching the street with trained eye.
the force of workers available
From this reading Jim, who had spent the afternoon with Harvey, superintended the placing of the men.
ninthnounUS /naɪnθ/
position nine in a countable series of things
From this reading One man stood in the hall, in a position to watch the stairway and the windows at each end; one patrolled the waiting room; and the ninth man strolled about in front of the building, loitering in the shadows and watching the street with trained eye.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SOMEBODY LOSES THE BOOKS When Harvey went to dinner in the evening he left a force of ten detectives guarding the offices.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading Mallory, the lieutenant in charge, was ensconced in the Superintendent's office, and six of his assistants were with him, privileged to doze until called.
officesnounUS /ˈɔːfəsəz/
plural of “office” — place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading SOMEBODY LOSES THE BOOKS When Harvey went to dinner in the evening he left a force of ten detectives guarding the offices.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One man stood in the hall, in a position to watch the stairway and the windows at each end; one patrolled the waiting room; and the ninth man strolled about in front of the building, loitering in the shadows and watching the street with trained eye.
patrolledverbUS /pəˈtroʊld/
inflected form of “patrol” — maintain the security of by carrying out a patrol
From this reading One man stood in the hall, in a position to watch the stairway and the windows at each end; one patrolled the waiting room; and the ninth man strolled about in front of the building, loitering in the shadows and watching the street with trained eye.
placingverbUS /ˈpleɪsɪŋ/
-ing form of “place” — put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Jim, who had spent the afternoon with Harvey, superintended the placing of the men.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading One man stood in the hall, in a position to watch the stairway and the windows at each end; one patrolled the waiting room; and the ninth man strolled about in front of the building, loitering in the shadows and watching the street with trained eye.
privilegedadjectiveUS /ˈprɪvlədʒd/
blessed with privileges
From this reading Mallory, the lieutenant in charge, was ensconced in the Superintendent's office, and six of his assistants were with him, privileged to doze until called.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading One man stood in the hall, in a position to watch the stairway and the windows at each end; one patrolled the waiting room; and the ninth man strolled about in front of the building, loitering in the shadows and watching the street with trained eye.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading One man stood in the hall, in a position to watch the stairway and the windows at each end; one patrolled the waiting room; and the ninth man strolled about in front of the building, loitering in the shadows and watching the street with trained eye.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Before leaving the station Jim had a short talk with Mallory.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Mallory, the lieutenant in charge, was ensconced in the Superintendent's office, and six of his assistants were with him, privileged to doze until called.
a person, without saying who
From this reading SOMEBODY LOSES THE BOOKS When Harvey went to dinner in the evening he left a force of ten detectives guarding the offices.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading Jim, who had spent the afternoon with Harvey, superintended the placing of the men.
stairwaynounUS /ˈsterweɪ/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading One man stood in the hall, in a position to watch the stairway and the windows at each end; one patrolled the waiting room; and the ninth man strolled about in front of the building, loitering in the shadows and watching the street with trained eye.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading Before leaving the station Jim had a short talk with Mallory.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading One man stood in the hall, in a position to watch the stairway and the windows at each end; one patrolled the waiting room; and the ninth man strolled about in front of the building, loitering in the shadows and watching the street with trained eye.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading One man stood in the hall, in a position to watch the stairway and the windows at each end; one patrolled the waiting room; and the ninth man strolled about in front of the building, loitering in the shadows and watching the street with trained eye.
strolledverbUS /stroʊld/
past form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
From this reading One man stood in the hall, in a position to watch the stairway and the windows at each end; one patrolled the waiting room; and the ninth man strolled about in front of the building, loitering in the shadows and watching the street with trained eye.
superintended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim, who had spent the afternoon with Harvey, superintended the placing of the men.
Superintendent'snounUS /ˌsuːpərɪnˈtendənts/
possessive form of “superintendent” — a person who directs and manages an organization
From this reading Mallory, the lieutenant in charge, was ensconced in the Superintendent's office, and six of his assistants were with him, privileged to doze until called.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Before leaving the station Jim had a short talk with Mallory.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading SOMEBODY LOSES THE BOOKS When Harvey went to dinner in the evening he left a force of ten detectives guarding the offices.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SOMEBODY LOSES THE BOOKS When Harvey went to dinner in the evening he left a force of ten detectives guarding the offices.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SOMEBODY LOSES THE BOOKS When Harvey went to dinner in the evening he left a force of ten detectives guarding the offices.
trainedadjectiveUS /treɪnd/
shaped or conditioned or disciplined by training; often used as a combining form
From this reading One man stood in the hall, in a position to watch the stairway and the windows at each end; one patrolled the waiting room; and the ninth man strolled about in front of the building, loitering in the shadows and watching the street with trained eye.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Mallory, the lieutenant in charge, was ensconced in the Superintendent's office, and six of his assistants were with him, privileged to doze until called.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading One man stood in the hall, in a position to watch the stairway and the windows at each end; one patrolled the waiting room; and the ninth man strolled about in front of the building, loitering in the shadows and watching the street with trained eye.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mallory, the lieutenant in charge, was ensconced in the Superintendent's office, and six of his assistants were with him, privileged to doze until called.
look attentively
From this reading One man stood in the hall, in a position to watch the stairway and the windows at each end; one patrolled the waiting room; and the ninth man strolled about in front of the building, loitering in the shadows and watching the street with trained eye.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading One man stood in the hall, in a position to watch the stairway and the windows at each end; one patrolled the waiting room; and the ninth man strolled about in front of the building, loitering in the shadows and watching the street with trained eye.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading SOMEBODY LOSES THE BOOKS When Harvey went to dinner in the evening he left a force of ten detectives guarding the offices.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Mallory, the lieutenant in charge, was ensconced in the Superintendent's office, and six of his assistants were with him, privileged to doze until called.
at the time that
From this reading SOMEBODY LOSES THE BOOKS When Harvey went to dinner in the evening he left a force of ten detectives guarding the offices.
which person or people
From this reading Jim, who had spent the afternoon with Harvey, superintended the placing of the men.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading One man stood in the hall, in a position to watch the stairway and the windows at each end; one patrolled the waiting room; and the ninth man strolled about in front of the building, loitering in the shadows and watching the street with trained eye.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Jim, who had spent the afternoon with Harvey, superintended the placing of the men.
