used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Mr. Mortimer Fenley, a private banker in the City, was shot dead about nine thirty at his own front door.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "Mr. Mortimer Fenley, a private banker in the City, was shot dead about nine thirty at his own front door.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
AssistantnounUS /əˈsɪstənt/
a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading The speaker was the Assistant Commissioner.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
the power or right to give orders or make decisions
From this reading "Leave everything else, and motor to Roxton," said the calm voice of authority.
bankernounUS /ˈbæŋkər/
a financier who owns or is an executive in a bank
From this reading "Mr. Mortimer Fenley, a private banker in the City, was shot dead about nine thirty at his own front door.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading His place is The Towers, which stands in a park between the villages of Roxton and Easton, in Hertfordshire.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
make calm or still
From this reading "Leave everything else, and motor to Roxton," said the calm voice of authority.
charmsnounUS /tʃɑːrmz/
plural of “charm” — attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
a person who is in charge
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
cigarsnounUS /sɪˈɡɑːrz/
plural of “cigar” — a roll of tobacco for smoking
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading "Mr. Mortimer Fenley, a private banker in the City, was shot dead about nine thirty at his own front door.
CommissionernounUS /kəˈmɪʃənər/
a government administrator
From this reading The speaker was the Assistant Commissioner.
CriminaladjectiveUS /ˈkrɪmənəl/
bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading "Mr. Mortimer Fenley, a private banker in the City, was shot dead about nine thirty at his own front door.
DepartmentnounUS /dɪˈpɑːrtmənt/
a specialized division of a large organization
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading "Mr. Mortimer Fenley, a private banker in the City, was shot dead about nine thirty at his own front door.
Easton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His place is The Towers, which stands in a park between the villages of Roxton and Easton, in Hertfordshire.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Leave everything else, and motor to Roxton," said the calm voice of authority.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading "Leave everything else, and motor to Roxton," said the calm voice of authority.
Fenley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Mortimer Fenley, a private banker in the City, was shot dead about nine thirty at his own front door.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading "Mr. Mortimer Fenley, a private banker in the City, was shot dead about nine thirty at his own front door.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
Hertfordshirenoun
a county in southern England
From this reading His place is The Towers, which stands in a park between the villages of Roxton and Easton, in Hertfordshire.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Mr. Mortimer Fenley, a private banker in the City, was shot dead about nine thirty at his own front door.
HOUNDSnounUS /haʊndz/
plural of “hound” — any of several breeds of dog used for hunting typically having large drooping ears
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Mr. Mortimer Fenley, a private banker in the City, was shot dead about nine thirty at his own front door.
InvestigationnounUS /ˌɪnvestəˈɡeɪʃən/
an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His place is The Towers, which stands in a park between the villages of Roxton and Easton, in Hertfordshire.
a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
and nothing more
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
LeandernounUS /liˈændər/
(Greek mythology) a youth beloved of Hero who drowned in a storm in the Hellespont on one of his nightly visits to see her
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
go away from a place
From this reading "Leave everything else, and motor to Roxton," said the calm voice of authority.
the literary culture
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
morning'snounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋz/
possessive form of “morning” — the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
MortimernounUS /ˈmɔːrtɪmər/
English nobleman who deposed Edward II and was executed by Edward III (1287-1330)
From this reading "Mr. Mortimer Fenley, a private banker in the City, was shot dead about nine thirty at his own front door.
motornounUS /ˈmoʊtər/
machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
From this reading "Leave everything else, and motor to Roxton," said the calm voice of authority.
a form of address for a man
From this reading "Mr. Mortimer Fenley, a private banker in the City, was shot dead about nine thirty at his own front door.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading "Mr. Mortimer Fenley, a private banker in the City, was shot dead about nine thirty at his own front door.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading "Mr. Mortimer Fenley, a private banker in the City, was shot dead about nine thirty at his own front door.
a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property
From this reading His place is The Towers, which stands in a park between the villages of Roxton and Easton, in Hertfordshire.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading His place is The Towers, which stands in a park between the villages of Roxton and Easton, in Hertfordshire.
placidadjectiveUS /ˈplæsəd/
(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading "Mr. Mortimer Fenley, a private banker in the City, was shot dead about nine thirty at his own front door.
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
resistingverbUS /rɪˈzɪstɪŋ/
-ing form of “resist” — elude, especially in a baffling way
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
Roxton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Leave everything else, and motor to Roxton," said the calm voice of authority.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Leave everything else, and motor to Roxton," said the calm voice of authority.
one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading "Mr. Mortimer Fenley, a private banker in the City, was shot dead about nine thirty at his own front door.
speakernounUS /ˈspiːkər/
someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)
From this reading The speaker was the Assistant Commissioner.
plural of “stand” — a support or foundation
From this reading His place is The Towers, which stands in a park between the villages of Roxton and Easton, in Hertfordshire.
SuperintendentnounUS /ˌsuːpərənˈtendənt/
a person who directs and manages an organization
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
telephonenounUS /ˈteləfoʊn/
electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
From this reading "Mr. Mortimer Fenley, a private banker in the City, was shot dead about nine thirty at his own front door.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Leave everything else, and motor to Roxton," said the calm voice of authority.
TowersnounUS /ˈtaʊərz/
plural of “tower” — a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading His place is The Towers, which stands in a park between the villages of Roxton and Easton, in Hertfordshire.
villagesnounUS /ˈvɪlədʒəz/
plural of “village” — a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading His place is The Towers, which stands in a park between the villages of Roxton and Easton, in Hertfordshire.
virtuouslyadverb
in a moral manner
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading "Leave everything else, and motor to Roxton," said the calm voice of authority.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
at the time that
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading His place is The Towers, which stands in a park between the villages of Roxton and Easton, in Hertfordshire.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading THE HOUNDS Superintendent James Leander Winter, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard, had just opened the morning's letters, and was virtuously resisting the placid charms of an open box of cigars, when the telephone bell rang.
