used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
plural of “age” — how long something has existed
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading All the same she did not pause in her detective work.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading In spite of her quick brain, Bess could not come to any decision.
assassinnounUS /əˈsæsən/
a murderer (especially one who kills a prominent political figure) who kills by a surprise attack and often is hired to do the deed
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Failing a discussion with Dr. Jim she resolved to leave the vexed question at rest.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
any cognitive content held as true
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
Bess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of her quick brain, Bess could not come to any decision.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading In spite of her quick brain, Bess could not come to any decision.
bulletnounUS /ˈbʊlət/
a projectile that is fired from a gun
From this reading The surprising discovery that the bullet was of silver, elevated the crime from the common-place to the romantic.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading In spite of her quick brain, Bess could not come to any decision.
common-place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The surprising discovery that the bullet was of silver, elevated the crime from the common-place to the romantic.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading In spite of her quick brain, Bess could not come to any decision.
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading The surprising discovery that the bullet was of silver, elevated the crime from the common-place to the romantic.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading In spite of her quick brain, Bess could not come to any decision.
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading All the same she did not pause in her detective work.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading All the same she did not pause in her detective work.
the act of discovering something
From this reading The surprising discovery that the bullet was of silver, elevated the crime from the common-place to the romantic.
discussionnounUS /dɪˈskʌʃən/
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
From this reading Failing a discussion with Dr. Jim she resolved to leave the vexed question at rest.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Failing a discussion with Dr. Jim she resolved to leave the vexed question at rest.
elevatedadjectiveUS /ˈeləveɪtɪd/
raised above the ground
From this reading The surprising discovery that the bullet was of silver, elevated the crime from the common-place to the romantic.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
FailingnounUS /ˈfeɪlɪŋ/
a flaw or weak point
From this reading Failing a discussion with Dr. Jim she resolved to leave the vexed question at rest.
firearmsnounUS /ˈfaɪərɑːrmz/
plural of “firearm” — a portable gun
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The surprising discovery that the bullet was of silver, elevated the crime from the common-place to the romantic.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading In spite of her quick brain, Bess could not come to any decision.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Failing a discussion with Dr. Jim she resolved to leave the vexed question at rest.
go away from a place
From this reading Failing a discussion with Dr. Jim she resolved to leave the vexed question at rest.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
missilenounUS /ˈmɪsəl/
a rocket carrying a warhead of conventional or nuclear explosives; may be ballistic or directed by remote control
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In spite of her quick brain, Bess could not come to any decision.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The surprising discovery that the bullet was of silver, elevated the crime from the common-place to the romantic.
old-fashionedadjectiveUS /ˌoʊldˈfæʃənd/
out of fashion
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading All the same she did not pause in her detective work.
perfectionnounUS /pərˈfekʃən/
the state of being without a flaw or defect
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
pitchnounUS /pɪtʃ/
the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Failing a discussion with Dr. Jim she resolved to leave the vexed question at rest.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading In spite of her quick brain, Bess could not come to any decision.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
unusual or striking
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
determined
From this reading Failing a discussion with Dr. Jim she resolved to leave the vexed question at rest.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Failing a discussion with Dr. Jim she resolved to leave the vexed question at rest.
revertedverbUS /rɪˈvɜːrtɪd/
past form of “revert” — go back to a previous state
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
romanticadjectiveUS /roʊˈmæntɪk/
belonging to or characteristic of Romanticism or the Romantic Movement in the arts
From this reading The surprising discovery that the bullet was of silver, elevated the crime from the common-place to the romantic.
Identical; not different.
From this reading All the same she did not pause in her detective work.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Failing a discussion with Dr. Jim she resolved to leave the vexed question at rest.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading The surprising discovery that the bullet was of silver, elevated the crime from the common-place to the romantic.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading In spite of her quick brain, Bess could not come to any decision.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
superstitionsnounUS /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃənz/
plural of “superstition” — an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
surprisingadjectiveUS /sərˈpraɪzɪŋ/
causing surprise or wonder or amazement
From this reading The surprising discovery that the bullet was of silver, elevated the crime from the common-place to the romantic.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The surprising discovery that the bullet was of silver, elevated the crime from the common-place to the romantic.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The surprising discovery that the bullet was of silver, elevated the crime from the common-place to the romantic.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The surprising discovery that the bullet was of silver, elevated the crime from the common-place to the romantic.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
vexedadjectiveUS /vekst/
troubled persistently especially with petty annoyances
From this reading Failing a discussion with Dr. Jim she resolved to leave the vexed question at rest.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The surprising discovery that the bullet was of silver, elevated the crime from the common-place to the romantic.
any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
at the time that
From this reading That an old-fashioned weapon should have been used in these days when firearms have reached such a pitch of perfection, was remarkable enough, but that the assassin should have reverted to the superstitions of the Middle Ages for his missile, was almost beyond belief.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Failing a discussion with Dr. Jim she resolved to leave the vexed question at rest.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading All the same she did not pause in her detective work.
