used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "So--you are a detective?" sneered Sherburne superciliously, elevating his eyebrows just the fraction of an inch.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading THE SERUM DIAGNOSIS We paid our check and Kennedy and I sauntered in the direction Sherburne had taken, finding him ultimately in the cafe, alone.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "So--you are a detective?" sneered Sherburne superciliously, elevating his eyebrows just the fraction of an inch.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SERUM DIAGNOSIS We paid our check and Kennedy and I sauntered in the direction Sherburne had taken, finding him ultimately in the cafe, alone.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading Without further introduction Kennedy approached him.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "So--you are a detective?" sneered Sherburne superciliously, elevating his eyebrows just the fraction of an inch.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
installation from which a military force initiates operations
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
next to; at the side of
From this reading "Not exactly," parried Kennedy, seating himself beside Sherburne.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
cafenounUS /kəˈfeɪ/
a small restaurant where drinks and snacks are sold
From this reading THE SERUM DIAGNOSIS We paid our check and Kennedy and I sauntered in the direction Sherburne had taken, finding him ultimately in the cafe, alone.
examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
From this reading THE SERUM DIAGNOSIS We paid our check and Kennedy and I sauntered in the direction Sherburne had taken, finding him ultimately in the cafe, alone.
an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading "So--you are a detective?" sneered Sherburne superciliously, elevating his eyebrows just the fraction of an inch.
DIAGNOSISnounUS /ˌdaɪəɡˈnoʊsəs/
identifying the nature or cause of some phenomenon
From this reading THE SERUM DIAGNOSIS We paid our check and Kennedy and I sauntered in the direction Sherburne had taken, finding him ultimately in the cafe, alone.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading THE SERUM DIAGNOSIS We paid our check and Kennedy and I sauntered in the direction Sherburne had taken, finding him ultimately in the cafe, alone.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
elevatingverbUS /ˈeləveɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “elevate” — give a promotion to or assign to a higher position
From this reading "So--you are a detective?" sneered Sherburne superciliously, elevating his eyebrows just the fraction of an inch.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading "Not exactly," parried Kennedy, seating himself beside Sherburne.
eyebrowsnounUS /ˈaɪbraʊz/
plural of “eyebrow” — the arch of hair above each eye
From this reading "So--you are a detective?" sneered Sherburne superciliously, elevating his eyebrows just the fraction of an inch.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading THE SERUM DIAGNOSIS We paid our check and Kennedy and I sauntered in the direction Sherburne had taken, finding him ultimately in the cafe, alone.
fractionnounUS /ˈfrækʃən/
a component of a mixture that has been separated by a fractional process
From this reading "So--you are a detective?" sneered Sherburne superciliously, elevating his eyebrows just the fraction of an inch.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading Without further introduction Kennedy approached him.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE SERUM DIAGNOSIS We paid our check and Kennedy and I sauntered in the direction Sherburne had taken, finding him ultimately in the cafe, alone.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE SERUM DIAGNOSIS We paid our check and Kennedy and I sauntered in the direction Sherburne had taken, finding him ultimately in the cafe, alone.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading "Not exactly," parried Kennedy, seating himself beside Sherburne.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "So--you are a detective?" sneered Sherburne superciliously, elevating his eyebrows just the fraction of an inch.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE SERUM DIAGNOSIS We paid our check and Kennedy and I sauntered in the direction Sherburne had taken, finding him ultimately in the cafe, alone.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SERUM DIAGNOSIS We paid our check and Kennedy and I sauntered in the direction Sherburne had taken, finding him ultimately in the cafe, alone.
a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading "So--you are a detective?" sneered Sherburne superciliously, elevating his eyebrows just the fraction of an inch.
introductionnounUS /ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃən/
the act of beginning something new
From this reading Without further introduction Kennedy approached him.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
and nothing more
From this reading "So--you are a detective?" sneered Sherburne superciliously, elevating his eyebrows just the fraction of an inch.
KennedynounUS /ˈkenədi/
35th President of the United States; established the Peace Corps; assassinated in Dallas (1917-1963)
From this reading THE SERUM DIAGNOSIS We paid our check and Kennedy and I sauntered in the direction Sherburne had taken, finding him ultimately in the cafe, alone.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
a form of address for a man
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
negotiatingverbUS /nɪˈɡoʊʃieɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “negotiate” — discuss the terms of an arrangement
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Not exactly," parried Kennedy, seating himself beside Sherburne.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "So--you are a detective?" sneered Sherburne superciliously, elevating his eyebrows just the fraction of an inch.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading THE SERUM DIAGNOSIS We paid our check and Kennedy and I sauntered in the direction Sherburne had taken, finding him ultimately in the cafe, alone.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading THE SERUM DIAGNOSIS We paid our check and Kennedy and I sauntered in the direction Sherburne had taken, finding him ultimately in the cafe, alone.
parriedverbUS /ˈperid/
inflected form of “parry” — impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball)
From this reading "Not exactly," parried Kennedy, seating himself beside Sherburne.
preliminaryadjectiveUS /prɪˈlɪməneri/
denoting an action or event preceding or in preparation for something more important
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
sauntered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SERUM DIAGNOSIS We paid our check and Kennedy and I sauntered in the direction Sherburne had taken, finding him ultimately in the cafe, alone.
Seabury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
seatingnounUS /ˈsiːtɪŋ/
an area that includes places where several people can sit
From this reading "Not exactly," parried Kennedy, seating himself beside Sherburne.
seeminglyadverbUS /ˈsiːmɪŋli/
from appearances alone
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
SERUMnounUS /ˈsɪrəm/
an amber, watery fluid, rich in proteins, that separates out when blood coagulates
From this reading THE SERUM DIAGNOSIS We paid our check and Kennedy and I sauntered in the direction Sherburne had taken, finding him ultimately in the cafe, alone.
Sherburne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SERUM DIAGNOSIS We paid our check and Kennedy and I sauntered in the direction Sherburne had taken, finding him ultimately in the cafe, alone.
sneeredverbUS /snɪrd/
past form of “sneer” — express through a scornful smile
From this reading "So--you are a detective?" sneered Sherburne superciliously, elevating his eyebrows just the fraction of an inch.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "So--you are a detective?" sneered Sherburne superciliously, elevating his eyebrows just the fraction of an inch.
superciliouslyadverb
with a sneer; in an uncomplimentary sneering manner
From this reading "So--you are a detective?" sneered Sherburne superciliously, elevating his eyebrows just the fraction of an inch.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading THE SERUM DIAGNOSIS We paid our check and Kennedy and I sauntered in the direction Sherburne had taken, finding him ultimately in the cafe, alone.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SERUM DIAGNOSIS We paid our check and Kennedy and I sauntered in the direction Sherburne had taken, finding him ultimately in the cafe, alone.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
ultimatelyadverbUS /ˈʌltəmətli/
as the end result of a succession or process
From this reading THE SERUM DIAGNOSIS We paid our check and Kennedy and I sauntered in the direction Sherburne had taken, finding him ultimately in the cafe, alone.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading THE SERUM DIAGNOSIS We paid our check and Kennedy and I sauntered in the direction Sherburne had taken, finding him ultimately in the cafe, alone.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
disposed or inclined toward
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Without further introduction Kennedy approached him.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "So--you are a detective?" sneered Sherburne superciliously, elevating his eyebrows just the fraction of an inch.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Then in a tone as if he were willing to get down, without further preliminary, to business, seemingly negotiating, he asked: "Mr. Sherburne, may I ask just what it is on which you base your claim on Mrs. Seabury?
