used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We traced it out, and down into the cellar the wires led, directly, and then across, through a small opening in the foundations into the next cellar of an apartment house, ending in a bin or storeroom.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading We traced it out, and down into the cellar the wires led, directly, and then across, through a small opening in the foundations into the next cellar of an apartment house, ending in a bin or storeroom.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading "Someone _was_ evidently trying to get something from you, Mr. Gaskell," remarked Craig pointedly, after we returned to the Gaskell library.
(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 THE INFERNAL MACHINES He ripped the little mechanical eavesdropper out, wires and all, but he did not disconnect the wires, yet.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading We traced it out, and down into the cellar the wires led, directly, and then across, through a small opening in the foundations into the next cellar of an apartment house, ending in a bin or storeroom.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE INFERNAL MACHINES He ripped the little mechanical eavesdropper out, wires and all, but he did not disconnect the wires, yet.
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading We traced it out, and down into the cellar the wires led, directly, and then across, through a small opening in the foundations into the next cellar of an apartment house, ending in a bin or storeroom.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In itself the thing, so far, gave no clew as to who was using it or the purpose for which it had been installed.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In itself the thing, so far, gave no clew as to who was using it or the purpose for which it had been installed.
binnounUS /bɪn/
a container; usually has a lid
From this reading We traced it out, and down into the cellar the wires led, directly, and then across, through a small opening in the foundations into the next cellar of an apartment house, ending in a bin or storeroom.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE INFERNAL MACHINES He ripped the little mechanical eavesdropper out, wires and all, but he did not disconnect the wires, yet.
cellarnounUS /ˈselər/
the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage
From this reading We traced it out, and down into the cellar the wires led, directly, and then across, through a small opening in the foundations into the next cellar of an apartment house, ending in a bin or storeroom.
clewnoun
a ball of yarn or cord or thread
From this reading In itself the thing, so far, gave no clew as to who was using it or the purpose for which it had been installed.
Craig
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Someone _was_ evidently trying to get something from you, Mr. Gaskell," remarked Craig pointedly, after we returned to the Gaskell library.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading THE INFERNAL MACHINES He ripped the little mechanical eavesdropper out, wires and all, but he did not disconnect the wires, yet.
without deviation
From this reading We traced it out, and down into the cellar the wires led, directly, and then across, through a small opening in the foundations into the next cellar of an apartment house, ending in a bin or storeroom.
disconnectverbUS /dɪskəˈnekt/
pull the plug of (electrical appliances) and render inoperable
From this reading THE INFERNAL MACHINES He ripped the little mechanical eavesdropper out, wires and all, but he did not disconnect the wires, yet.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading We traced it out, and down into the cellar the wires led, directly, and then across, through a small opening in the foundations into the next cellar of an apartment house, ending in a bin or storeroom.
eavesdroppernoun
a secret listener to private conversations
From this reading THE INFERNAL MACHINES He ripped the little mechanical eavesdropper out, wires and all, but he did not disconnect the wires, yet.
endingnounUS /ˈendɪŋ/
the end of a word (a suffix or inflectional ending or final morpheme)
From this reading We traced it out, and down into the cellar the wires led, directly, and then across, through a small opening in the foundations into the next cellar of an apartment house, ending in a bin or storeroom.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading "Someone _was_ evidently trying to get something from you, Mr. Gaskell," remarked Craig pointedly, after we returned to the Gaskell library.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading In itself the thing, so far, gave no clew as to who was using it or the purpose for which it had been installed.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In itself the thing, so far, gave no clew as to who was using it or the purpose for which it had been installed.
foundationsnounUS /faʊnˈdeɪʃənz/
plural of “foundation” — the basis on which something is grounded
From this reading We traced it out, and down into the cellar the wires led, directly, and then across, through a small opening in the foundations into the next cellar of an apartment house, ending in a bin or storeroom.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "Someone _was_ evidently trying to get something from you, Mr. Gaskell," remarked Craig pointedly, after we returned to the Gaskell library.
GaskellnounUS /ˈɡæskəl/
English writer who is remembered for her biography of Charlotte Bronte (1810-1865)
From this reading "Someone _was_ evidently trying to get something from you, Mr. Gaskell," remarked Craig pointedly, after we returned to the Gaskell library.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading In itself the thing, so far, gave no clew as to who was using it or the purpose for which it had been installed.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "Someone _was_ evidently trying to get something from you, Mr. Gaskell," remarked Craig pointedly, after we returned to the Gaskell library.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In itself the thing, so far, gave no clew as to who was using it or the purpose for which it had been installed.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE INFERNAL MACHINES He ripped the little mechanical eavesdropper out, wires and all, but he did not disconnect the wires, yet.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading We traced it out, and down into the cellar the wires led, directly, and then across, through a small opening in the foundations into the next cellar of an apartment house, ending in a bin or storeroom.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We traced it out, and down into the cellar the wires led, directly, and then across, through a small opening in the foundations into the next cellar of an apartment house, ending in a bin or storeroom.
INFERNALadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɜːrnəl/
characteristic of or resembling Hell
From this reading THE INFERNAL MACHINES He ripped the little mechanical eavesdropper out, wires and all, but he did not disconnect the wires, yet.
installedverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɔːld/
inflected form of “instal” — set up for use
From this reading In itself the thing, so far, gave no clew as to who was using it or the purpose for which it had been installed.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading We traced it out, and down into the cellar the wires led, directly, and then across, through a small opening in the foundations into the next cellar of an apartment house, ending in a bin or storeroom.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading We traced it out, and down into the cellar the wires led, directly, and then across, through a small opening in the foundations into the next cellar of an apartment house, ending in a bin or storeroom.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading In itself the thing, so far, gave no clew as to who was using it or the purpose for which it had been installed.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading We traced it out, and down into the cellar the wires led, directly, and then across, through a small opening in the foundations into the next cellar of an apartment house, ending in a bin or storeroom.
a room where books are kept
From this reading "Someone _was_ evidently trying to get something from you, Mr. Gaskell," remarked Craig pointedly, after we returned to the Gaskell library.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE INFERNAL MACHINES He ripped the little mechanical eavesdropper out, wires and all, but he did not disconnect the wires, yet.
MACHINESnounUS /məˈʃiːnz/
plural of “machine” — any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading THE INFERNAL MACHINES He ripped the little mechanical eavesdropper out, wires and all, but he did not disconnect the wires, yet.
mechanicaladjectiveUS /məˈkænɪkəl/
using (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices
From this reading THE INFERNAL MACHINES He ripped the little mechanical eavesdropper out, wires and all, but he did not disconnect the wires, yet.
a form of address for a man
From this reading "Someone _was_ evidently trying to get something from you, Mr. Gaskell," remarked Craig pointedly, after we returned to the Gaskell library.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading We traced it out, and down into the cellar the wires led, directly, and then across, through a small opening in the foundations into the next cellar of an apartment house, ending in a bin or storeroom.
not any; not one
From this reading In itself the thing, so far, gave no clew as to who was using it or the purpose for which it had been installed.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE INFERNAL MACHINES He ripped the little mechanical eavesdropper out, wires and all, but he did not disconnect the wires, yet.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We traced it out, and down into the cellar the wires led, directly, and then across, through a small opening in the foundations into the next cellar of an apartment house, ending in a bin or storeroom.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading We traced it out, and down into the cellar the wires led, directly, and then across, through a small opening in the foundations into the next cellar of an apartment house, ending in a bin or storeroom.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading We traced it out, and down into the cellar the wires led, directly, and then across, through a small opening in the foundations into the next cellar of an apartment house, ending in a bin or storeroom.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading THE INFERNAL MACHINES He ripped the little mechanical eavesdropper out, wires and all, but he did not disconnect the wires, yet.
pointedlyadverbUS /ˈpɔɪntɪdliː/
in such a manner as to make something clearly evident
From this reading "Someone _was_ evidently trying to get something from you, Mr. Gaskell," remarked Craig pointedly, after we returned to the Gaskell library.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading In itself the thing, so far, gave no clew as to who was using it or the purpose for which it had been installed.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading "Someone _was_ evidently trying to get something from you, Mr. Gaskell," remarked Craig pointedly, after we returned to the Gaskell library.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading "Someone _was_ evidently trying to get something from you, Mr. Gaskell," remarked Craig pointedly, after we returned to the Gaskell library.
rippedadjectiveUS /rɪpt/
stupefied or excited by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading THE INFERNAL MACHINES He ripped the little mechanical eavesdropper out, wires and all, but he did not disconnect the wires, yet.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading We traced it out, and down into the cellar the wires led, directly, and then across, through a small opening in the foundations into the next cellar of an apartment house, ending in a bin or storeroom.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading In itself the thing, so far, gave no clew as to who was using it or the purpose for which it had been installed.
a person, without saying who
From this reading "Someone _was_ evidently trying to get something from you, Mr. Gaskell," remarked Craig pointedly, after we returned to the Gaskell library.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading "Someone _was_ evidently trying to get something from you, Mr. Gaskell," remarked Craig pointedly, after we returned to the Gaskell library.
storeroomnounUS /ˈstɔːrruːm/
a room in which things are stored
From this reading We traced it out, and down into the cellar the wires led, directly, and then across, through a small opening in the foundations into the next cellar of an apartment house, ending in a bin or storeroom.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading But it was strange.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE INFERNAL MACHINES He ripped the little mechanical eavesdropper out, wires and all, but he did not disconnect the wires, yet.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading We traced it out, and down into the cellar the wires led, directly, and then across, through a small opening in the foundations into the next cellar of an apartment house, ending in a bin or storeroom.
a special situation
From this reading In itself the thing, so far, gave no clew as to who was using it or the purpose for which it had been installed.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading We traced it out, and down into the cellar the wires led, directly, and then across, through a small opening in the foundations into the next cellar of an apartment house, ending in a bin or storeroom.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In itself the thing, so far, gave no clew as to who was using it or the purpose for which it had been installed.
tracedverbUS /treɪst/
past form of “trace” — follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something
From this reading We traced it out, and down into the cellar the wires led, directly, and then across, through a small opening in the foundations into the next cellar of an apartment house, ending in a bin or storeroom.
hard to endure
From this reading "Someone _was_ evidently trying to get something from you, Mr. Gaskell," remarked Craig pointedly, after we returned to the Gaskell library.
an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)
From this reading In itself the thing, so far, gave no clew as to who was using it or the purpose for which it had been installed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In itself the thing, so far, gave no clew as to who was using it or the purpose for which it had been installed.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We traced it out, and down into the cellar the wires led, directly, and then across, through a small opening in the foundations into the next cellar of an apartment house, ending in a bin or storeroom.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In itself the thing, so far, gave no clew as to who was using it or the purpose for which it had been installed.
which person or people
From this reading In itself the thing, so far, gave no clew as to who was using it or the purpose for which it had been installed.
wiresnounUS /ˈwaɪərz/
plural of “wire” — ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
From this reading THE INFERNAL MACHINES He ripped the little mechanical eavesdropper out, wires and all, but he did not disconnect the wires, yet.
but in spite of that
From this reading THE INFERNAL MACHINES He ripped the little mechanical eavesdropper out, wires and all, but he did not disconnect the wires, yet.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Someone _was_ evidently trying to get something from you, Mr. Gaskell," remarked Craig pointedly, after we returned to the Gaskell library.
