used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Naturally, the whole story had to be told at the inquest, and the public became aware, through the medium of the newspapers, that the dead man had a secret.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading That he was The Spider there, of course, could be no doubt, since the declaration of Vernon went to show that the late Mr. Dimsdale had made an appointment with the blackmailer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Naturally, the whole story had to be told at the inquest, and the public became aware, through the medium of the newspapers, that the dead man had a secret.
appointmentnounUS /əˈpɔɪntmənt/
the act of putting a person into a non-elective position
From this reading That he was The Spider there, of course, could be no doubt, since the declaration of Vernon went to show that the late Mr. Dimsdale had made an appointment with the blackmailer.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Using it, whatever it might be, as a decoy to lure The Spider into a trap, he had lost his life in the attempt to capture the famous criminal.
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 The inquest duly took place, but no evidence was forthcoming likely to lead to the capture of the assassin.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Naturally, the whole story had to be told at the inquest, and the public became aware, through the medium of the newspapers, that the dead man had a secret.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Using it, whatever it might be, as a decoy to lure The Spider into a trap, he had lost his life in the attempt to capture the famous criminal.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading Naturally, the whole story had to be told at the inquest, and the public became aware, through the medium of the newspapers, that the dead man had a secret.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading That he was The Spider there, of course, could be no doubt, since the declaration of Vernon went to show that the late Mr. Dimsdale had made an appointment with the blackmailer.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Naturally, the whole story had to be told at the inquest, and the public became aware, through the medium of the newspapers, that the dead man had a secret.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It could not have been a dishonourable secret, was the general opinion, else Mr. Dimsdale would scarcely have risked a revelation.
blackmailernoun
a criminal who extorts money from someone by threatening to expose embarrassing information about them
From this reading That he was The Spider there, of course, could be no doubt, since the declaration of Vernon went to show that the late Mr. Dimsdale had made an appointment with the blackmailer.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The inquest duly took place, but no evidence was forthcoming likely to lead to the capture of the assassin.
captureverbUS /ˈkæptʃər/
succeed in representing or expressing something intangible
From this reading The inquest duly took place, but no evidence was forthcoming likely to lead to the capture of the assassin.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading That he was The Spider there, of course, could be no doubt, since the declaration of Vernon went to show that the late Mr. Dimsdale had made an appointment with the blackmailer.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading That he was The Spider there, of course, could be no doubt, since the declaration of Vernon went to show that the late Mr. Dimsdale had made an appointment with the blackmailer.
criminaladjectiveUS /ˈkrɪmənəl/
bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
From this reading Using it, whatever it might be, as a decoy to lure The Spider into a trap, he had lost his life in the attempt to capture the famous criminal.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading Naturally, the whole story had to be told at the inquest, and the public became aware, through the medium of the newspapers, that the dead man had a secret.
declarationnounUS /ˌdeklərˈeɪʃən/
a statement that is emphatic and explicit (spoken or written)
From this reading That he was The Spider there, of course, could be no doubt, since the declaration of Vernon went to show that the late Mr. Dimsdale had made an appointment with the blackmailer.
decoynounUS /dəˈkɔɪ/
a beguiler who leads someone into danger (usually as part of a plot)
From this reading Using it, whatever it might be, as a decoy to lure The Spider into a trap, he had lost his life in the attempt to capture the famous criminal.
Dimsdale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he was The Spider there, of course, could be no doubt, since the declaration of Vernon went to show that the late Mr. Dimsdale had made an appointment with the blackmailer.
dishonourableadjective
lacking honor or integrity; deserving dishonor
From this reading It could not have been a dishonourable secret, was the general opinion, else Mr. Dimsdale would scarcely have risked a revelation.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading That he was The Spider there, of course, could be no doubt, since the declaration of Vernon went to show that the late Mr. Dimsdale had made an appointment with the blackmailer.
dulyadverbUS /ˈduːli/
in accordance with what is appropriate or suitable for the circumstances
From this reading The inquest duly took place, but no evidence was forthcoming likely to lead to the capture of the assassin.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It could not have been a dishonourable secret, was the general opinion, else Mr. Dimsdale would scarcely have risked a revelation.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading The inquest duly took place, but no evidence was forthcoming likely to lead to the capture of the assassin.
widely known and esteemed
From this reading Using it, whatever it might be, as a decoy to lure The Spider into a trap, he had lost his life in the attempt to capture the famous criminal.
forthcomingadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrθˈkʌmɪŋ/
at ease in talking to others
From this reading The inquest duly took place, but no evidence was forthcoming likely to lead to the capture of the assassin.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading It could not have been a dishonourable secret, was the general opinion, else Mr. Dimsdale would scarcely have risked a revelation.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That he was The Spider there, of course, could be no doubt, since the declaration of Vernon went to show that the late Mr. Dimsdale had made an appointment with the blackmailer.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It could not have been a dishonourable secret, was the general opinion, else Mr. Dimsdale would scarcely have risked a revelation.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That he was The Spider there, of course, could be no doubt, since the declaration of Vernon went to show that the late Mr. Dimsdale had made an appointment with the blackmailer.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Using it, whatever it might be, as a decoy to lure The Spider into a trap, he had lost his life in the attempt to capture the famous criminal.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Using it, whatever it might be, as a decoy to lure The Spider into a trap, he had lost his life in the attempt to capture the famous criminal.
inquestnounUS /ˈɪnkwest/
an inquiry into the cause of an unexpected death
From this reading The inquest duly took place, but no evidence was forthcoming likely to lead to the capture of the assassin.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Using it, whatever it might be, as a decoy to lure The Spider into a trap, he had lost his life in the attempt to capture the famous criminal.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It could not have been a dishonourable secret, was the general opinion, else Mr. Dimsdale would scarcely have risked a revelation.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading That he was The Spider there, of course, could be no doubt, since the declaration of Vernon went to show that the late Mr. Dimsdale had made an appointment with the blackmailer.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading The inquest duly took place, but no evidence was forthcoming likely to lead to the capture of the assassin.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Using it, whatever it might be, as a decoy to lure The Spider into a trap, he had lost his life in the attempt to capture the famous criminal.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading The inquest duly took place, but no evidence was forthcoming likely to lead to the capture of the assassin.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Using it, whatever it might be, as a decoy to lure The Spider into a trap, he had lost his life in the attempt to capture the famous criminal.
lurenounUS /lʊr/
qualities that attract by seeming to promise some kind of reward
From this reading Using it, whatever it might be, as a decoy to lure The Spider into a trap, he had lost his life in the attempt to capture the famous criminal.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading That he was The Spider there, of course, could be no doubt, since the declaration of Vernon went to show that the late Mr. Dimsdale had made an appointment with the blackmailer.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Naturally, the whole story had to be told at the inquest, and the public became aware, through the medium of the newspapers, that the dead man had a secret.
mediumnounUS /ˈmiːdiəm/
a means or instrumentality for storing or communicating information
From this reading Naturally, the whole story had to be told at the inquest, and the public became aware, through the medium of the newspapers, that the dead man had a secret.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Using it, whatever it might be, as a decoy to lure The Spider into a trap, he had lost his life in the attempt to capture the famous criminal.
a form of address for a man
From this reading That he was The Spider there, of course, could be no doubt, since the declaration of Vernon went to show that the late Mr. Dimsdale had made an appointment with the blackmailer.
as might be expected
From this reading Naturally, the whole story had to be told at the inquest, and the public became aware, through the medium of the newspapers, that the dead man had a secret.
newspapersnounUS /ˈnuːzpeɪpərz/
plural of “newspaper” — a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading Naturally, the whole story had to be told at the inquest, and the public became aware, through the medium of the newspapers, that the dead man had a secret.
not any; not one
From this reading The inquest duly took place, but no evidence was forthcoming likely to lead to the capture of the assassin.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It could not have been a dishonourable secret, was the general opinion, else Mr. Dimsdale would scarcely have risked a revelation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The inquest duly took place, but no evidence was forthcoming likely to lead to the capture of the assassin.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading It could not have been a dishonourable secret, was the general opinion, else Mr. Dimsdale would scarcely have risked a revelation.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The inquest duly took place, but no evidence was forthcoming likely to lead to the capture of the assassin.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading Naturally, the whole story had to be told at the inquest, and the public became aware, through the medium of the newspapers, that the dead man had a secret.
revelationnounUS /ˌrevəˈleɪʃən/
the speech act of making something evident
From this reading It could not have been a dishonourable secret, was the general opinion, else Mr. Dimsdale would scarcely have risked a revelation.
riskedverbUS /rɪskt/
past form of “risk” — expose to a chance of loss or damage
From this reading It could not have been a dishonourable secret, was the general opinion, else Mr. Dimsdale would scarcely have risked a revelation.
only a very short time before
From this reading It could not have been a dishonourable secret, was the general opinion, else Mr. Dimsdale would scarcely have risked a revelation.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Naturally, the whole story had to be told at the inquest, and the public became aware, through the medium of the newspapers, that the dead man had a secret.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading That he was The Spider there, of course, could be no doubt, since the declaration of Vernon went to show that the late Mr. Dimsdale had made an appointment with the blackmailer.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading That he was The Spider there, of course, could be no doubt, since the declaration of Vernon went to show that the late Mr. Dimsdale had made an appointment with the blackmailer.
SpidernounUS /ˈspaɪdər/
predatory arachnid with eight legs, two poison fangs, two feelers, and usually two silk-spinning organs at the back end of the body; they spin silk to make cocoons for eggs or traps for prey
From this reading That he was The Spider there, of course, could be no doubt, since the declaration of Vernon went to show that the late Mr. Dimsdale had made an appointment with the blackmailer.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Naturally, the whole story had to be told at the inquest, and the public became aware, through the medium of the newspapers, that the dead man had a secret.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That he was The Spider there, of course, could be no doubt, since the declaration of Vernon went to show that the late Mr. Dimsdale had made an appointment with the blackmailer.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The inquest duly took place, but no evidence was forthcoming likely to lead to the capture of the assassin.
in or at that place or location
From this reading That he was The Spider there, of course, could be no doubt, since the declaration of Vernon went to show that the late Mr. Dimsdale had made an appointment with the blackmailer.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Naturally, the whole story had to be told at the inquest, and the public became aware, through the medium of the newspapers, that the dead man had a secret.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The inquest duly took place, but no evidence was forthcoming likely to lead to the capture of the assassin.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Naturally, the whole story had to be told at the inquest, and the public became aware, through the medium of the newspapers, that the dead man had a secret.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The inquest duly took place, but no evidence was forthcoming likely to lead to the capture of the assassin.
trapnounUS /træp/
a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
From this reading Using it, whatever it might be, as a decoy to lure The Spider into a trap, he had lost his life in the attempt to capture the famous criminal.
an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)
From this reading Using it, whatever it might be, as a decoy to lure The Spider into a trap, he had lost his life in the attempt to capture the famous criminal.
Vernon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he was The Spider there, of course, could be no doubt, since the declaration of Vernon went to show that the late Mr. Dimsdale had made an appointment with the blackmailer.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The inquest duly took place, but no evidence was forthcoming likely to lead to the capture of the assassin.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading That he was The Spider there, of course, could be no doubt, since the declaration of Vernon went to show that the late Mr. Dimsdale had made an appointment with the blackmailer.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading Using it, whatever it might be, as a decoy to lure The Spider into a trap, he had lost his life in the attempt to capture the famous criminal.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Naturally, the whole story had to be told at the inquest, and the public became aware, through the medium of the newspapers, that the dead man had a secret.
in the company of; together with
From this reading That he was The Spider there, of course, could be no doubt, since the declaration of Vernon went to show that the late Mr. Dimsdale had made an appointment with the blackmailer.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It could not have been a dishonourable secret, was the general opinion, else Mr. Dimsdale would scarcely have risked a revelation.
