used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Inspector Field swore a good round oath under his breath.
in the past
From this reading Everything had been going beautifully and smoothly a few minutes ago, and now the plot was ruined.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had not looked for an insane folly like this from a well-trained officer who might have been expected to keep his feelings in check.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Everything had been going beautifully and smoothly a few minutes ago, and now the plot was ruined.
anticipateverbUS /ænˈtɪsəpeɪt/
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading But, as Field sadly reflected, it was useless to anticipate anything rational when a woman came into the case.
any thing at all
From this reading But, as Field sadly reflected, it was useless to anticipate anything rational when a woman came into the case.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But, as Field sadly reflected, it was useless to anticipate anything rational when a woman came into the case.
beautifullyadverbUS /ˈbjuːtəfli/
in a beautiful manner
From this reading Everything had been going beautifully and smoothly a few minutes ago, and now the plot was ruined.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had not looked for an insane folly like this from a well-trained officer who might have been expected to keep his feelings in check.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading Inspector Field swore a good round oath under his breath.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, as Field sadly reflected, it was useless to anticipate anything rational when a woman came into the case.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But, as Field sadly reflected, it was useless to anticipate anything rational when a woman came into the case.
an occurrence of something
From this reading But, as Field sadly reflected, it was useless to anticipate anything rational when a woman came into the case.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Field was anything but a timid man, he had been in too many tight places in his life to know the meaning of the word timidity, but then he had to exercise a certain discretion.
checkverbUS /tʃek/
examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
From this reading He had not looked for an insane folly like this from a well-trained officer who might have been expected to keep his feelings in check.
discretionnounUS /dɪˈskreʃən/
freedom to act or judge on one's own
From this reading Field was anything but a timid man, he had been in too many tight places in his life to know the meaning of the word timidity, but then he had to exercise a certain discretion.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Everything had been going beautifully and smoothly a few minutes ago, and now the plot was ruined.
the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit
From this reading Field was anything but a timid man, he had been in too many tight places in his life to know the meaning of the word timidity, but then he had to exercise a certain discretion.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading He had not looked for an insane folly like this from a well-trained officer who might have been expected to keep his feelings in check.
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading He had not looked for an insane folly like this from a well-trained officer who might have been expected to keep his feelings in check.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Everything had been going beautifully and smoothly a few minutes ago, and now the plot was ruined.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading Inspector Field swore a good round oath under his breath.
the trait of acting stupidly or rashly
From this reading He had not looked for an insane folly like this from a well-trained officer who might have been expected to keep his feelings in check.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had not looked for an insane folly like this from a well-trained officer who might have been expected to keep his feelings in check.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had not looked for an insane folly like this from a well-trained officer who might have been expected to keep his feelings in check.
the act of departing
From this reading Everything had been going beautifully and smoothly a few minutes ago, and now the plot was ruined.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Inspector Field swore a good round oath under his breath.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had not looked for an insane folly like this from a well-trained officer who might have been expected to keep his feelings in check.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He had not looked for an insane folly like this from a well-trained officer who might have been expected to keep his feelings in check.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had not looked for an insane folly like this from a well-trained officer who might have been expected to keep his feelings in check.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Inspector Field swore a good round oath under his breath.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had not looked for an insane folly like this from a well-trained officer who might have been expected to keep his feelings in check.
insaneadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈseɪn/
afflicted with or characteristic of mental derangement
From this reading He had not looked for an insane folly like this from a well-trained officer who might have been expected to keep his feelings in check.
InspectornounUS /ˌɪnˈspektər/
a high ranking police officer
From this reading Inspector Field swore a good round oath under his breath.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But, as Field sadly reflected, it was useless to anticipate anything rational when a woman came into the case.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But, as Field sadly reflected, it was useless to anticipate anything rational when a woman came into the case.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading He had not looked for an insane folly like this from a well-trained officer who might have been expected to keep his feelings in check.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Field was anything but a timid man, he had been in too many tight places in his life to know the meaning of the word timidity, but then he had to exercise a certain discretion.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Field was anything but a timid man, he had been in too many tight places in his life to know the meaning of the word timidity, but then he had to exercise a certain discretion.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He had not looked for an insane folly like this from a well-trained officer who might have been expected to keep his feelings in check.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He had not looked for an insane folly like this from a well-trained officer who might have been expected to keep his feelings in check.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Field was anything but a timid man, he had been in too many tight places in his life to know the meaning of the word timidity, but then he had to exercise a certain discretion.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Field was anything but a timid man, he had been in too many tight places in his life to know the meaning of the word timidity, but then he had to exercise a certain discretion.
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading Field was anything but a timid man, he had been in too many tight places in his life to know the meaning of the word timidity, but then he had to exercise a certain discretion.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He had not looked for an insane folly like this from a well-trained officer who might have been expected to keep his feelings in check.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Everything had been going beautifully and smoothly a few minutes ago, and now the plot was ruined.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had not looked for an insane folly like this from a well-trained officer who might have been expected to keep his feelings in check.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Everything had been going beautifully and smoothly a few minutes ago, and now the plot was ruined.
profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading Inspector Field swore a good round oath under his breath.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Field was anything but a timid man, he had been in too many tight places in his life to know the meaning of the word timidity, but then he had to exercise a certain discretion.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading He had not looked for an insane folly like this from a well-trained officer who might have been expected to keep his feelings in check.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Field was anything but a timid man, he had been in too many tight places in his life to know the meaning of the word timidity, but then he had to exercise a certain discretion.
plotnounUS /plɑːt/
a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)
From this reading Everything had been going beautifully and smoothly a few minutes ago, and now the plot was ruined.
rationaladjectiveUS /ˈræʃ.ən.əl/
Based on or in accordance with reason or logic rather than turbulent emotions.
From this reading But, as Field sadly reflected, it was useless to anticipate anything rational when a woman came into the case.
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading But, as Field sadly reflected, it was useless to anticipate anything rational when a woman came into the case.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Inspector Field swore a good round oath under his breath.
destroyed physically or morally
From this reading Everything had been going beautifully and smoothly a few minutes ago, and now the plot was ruined.
in an unfortunate way
From this reading But, as Field sadly reflected, it was useless to anticipate anything rational when a woman came into the case.
smoothlyadverbUS /ˈsmuːðli/
with no problems or difficulties
From this reading Everything had been going beautifully and smoothly a few minutes ago, and now the plot was ruined.
sworeverbUS /swɔːr/
inflected form of “swear” — utter obscenities or profanities
From this reading Inspector Field swore a good round oath under his breath.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But, as Field sadly reflected, it was useless to anticipate anything rational when a woman came into the case.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Field was anything but a timid man, he had been in too many tight places in his life to know the meaning of the word timidity, but then he had to exercise a certain discretion.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He had not looked for an insane folly like this from a well-trained officer who might have been expected to keep his feelings in check.
tightadjectiveUS /taɪt/
closely constrained or constricted or constricting
From this reading Field was anything but a timid man, he had been in too many tight places in his life to know the meaning of the word timidity, but then he had to exercise a certain discretion.
timidadjectiveUS /ˈtɪmɪd/
showing fear and lack of confidence
From this reading Field was anything but a timid man, he had been in too many tight places in his life to know the meaning of the word timidity, but then he had to exercise a certain discretion.
timiditynounUS /təˈmɪdəti/
fear of the unknown or unfamiliar or fear of making decisions
From this reading Field was anything but a timid man, he had been in too many tight places in his life to know the meaning of the word timidity, but then he had to exercise a certain discretion.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had not looked for an insane folly like this from a well-trained officer who might have been expected to keep his feelings in check.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Field was anything but a timid man, he had been in too many tight places in his life to know the meaning of the word timidity, but then he had to exercise a certain discretion.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Inspector Field swore a good round oath under his breath.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading But, as Field sadly reflected, it was useless to anticipate anything rational when a woman came into the case.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But, as Field sadly reflected, it was useless to anticipate anything rational when a woman came into the case.
well-trained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not looked for an insane folly like this from a well-trained officer who might have been expected to keep his feelings in check.
at the time that
From this reading But, as Field sadly reflected, it was useless to anticipate anything rational when a woman came into the case.
which person or people
From this reading He had not looked for an insane folly like this from a well-trained officer who might have been expected to keep his feelings in check.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading But, as Field sadly reflected, it was useless to anticipate anything rational when a woman came into the case.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Field was anything but a timid man, he had been in too many tight places in his life to know the meaning of the word timidity, but then he had to exercise a certain discretion.
