used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The reporter was a man of about thirty, whose regular features bore the unmistakable stamp of intelligence and refinement.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The reporter was a man of about thirty, whose regular features bore the unmistakable stamp of intelligence and refinement.
aimlessadjectiveUS /ˈeɪmləs/
aimlessly drifting
From this reading In repose, they wore an habitual expression of introspective concentration, which might have led a careless observer to class Ralph Sturgis in the category of aimless dreamers.
(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 "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading But a single flash of the piercing gray eyes generally sufficed to dispel any such impression; and told of keen perception and underlying power.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
assertverbUS /əˈsɜːrt/
state categorically
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
aye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
cause to be bored
From this reading The reporter was a man of about thirty, whose regular features bore the unmistakable stamp of intelligence and refinement.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But a single flash of the piercing gray eyes generally sufficed to dispel any such impression; and told of keen perception and underlying power.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful
From this reading In repose, they wore an habitual expression of introspective concentration, which might have led a careless observer to class Ralph Sturgis in the category of aimless dreamers.
categorynounUS /ˈkætəɡɔːri/
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading In repose, they wore an habitual expression of introspective concentration, which might have led a careless observer to class Ralph Sturgis in the category of aimless dreamers.
circumstantialadjectiveUS /ˌsɜːrkəmˈstænʃəl/
fully detailed and specific about particulars
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading In repose, they wore an habitual expression of introspective concentration, which might have led a careless observer to class Ralph Sturgis in the category of aimless dreamers.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
concentrationnounUS /ˌkɑːnsənˈtreɪʃən/
the strength of a solution; number of molecules of a substance in a given volume
From this reading In repose, they wore an habitual expression of introspective concentration, which might have led a careless observer to class Ralph Sturgis in the category of aimless dreamers.
an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
criminaladjectiveUS /ˈkrɪmənəl/
bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
represented in words especially with sharpness and detail
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
true confidential information
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
dispelverbUS /dɪˈspel/
force to go away; used both with concrete and metaphoric meanings
From this reading But a single flash of the piercing gray eyes generally sufficed to dispel any such impression; and told of keen perception and underlying power.
dreamersnounUS /ˈdriːmərz/
plural of “dreamer” — someone who is dreaming
From this reading In repose, they wore an habitual expression of introspective concentration, which might have led a careless observer to class Ralph Sturgis in the category of aimless dreamers.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading In repose, they wore an habitual expression of introspective concentration, which might have led a careless observer to class Ralph Sturgis in the category of aimless dreamers.
eye-witness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
opinion or judgment
From this reading But a single flash of the piercing gray eyes generally sufficed to dispel any such impression; and told of keen perception and underlying power.
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading The reporter was a man of about thirty, whose regular features bore the unmistakable stamp of intelligence and refinement.
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading But a single flash of the piercing gray eyes generally sufficed to dispel any such impression; and told of keen perception and underlying power.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
usually; as a rule
From this reading But a single flash of the piercing gray eyes generally sufficed to dispel any such impression; and told of keen perception and underlying power.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading But a single flash of the piercing gray eyes generally sufficed to dispel any such impression; and told of keen perception and underlying power.
habitualadjectiveUS /həˈbɪtʃuːəl/
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading In repose, they wore an habitual expression of introspective concentration, which might have led a careless observer to class Ralph Sturgis in the category of aimless dreamers.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In repose, they wore an habitual expression of introspective concentration, which might have led a careless observer to class Ralph Sturgis in the category of aimless dreamers.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
historiannounUS /hɪˈstɔːriən/
a person who is an authority on history and who studies it and writes about it
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading But a single flash of the piercing gray eyes generally sufficed to dispel any such impression; and told of keen perception and underlying power.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
From this reading The reporter was a man of about thirty, whose regular features bore the unmistakable stamp of intelligence and refinement.
introspectiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪntrəˈspektɪv/
given to examining own sensory and perceptual experiences
From this reading In repose, they wore an habitual expression of introspective concentration, which might have led a careless observer to class Ralph Sturgis in the category of aimless dreamers.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading But a single flash of the piercing gray eyes generally sufficed to dispel any such impression; and told of keen perception and underlying power.
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 In repose, they wore an habitual expression of introspective concentration, which might have led a careless observer to class Ralph Sturgis in the category of aimless dreamers.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The reporter was a man of about thirty, whose regular features bore the unmistakable stamp of intelligence and refinement.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading In repose, they wore an habitual expression of introspective concentration, which might have led a careless observer to class Ralph Sturgis in the category of aimless dreamers.
minutest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
observernounUS /əbˈzɜːrvər/
a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
From this reading In repose, they wore an habitual expression of introspective concentration, which might have led a careless observer to class Ralph Sturgis in the category of aimless dreamers.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The reporter was a man of about thirty, whose regular features bore the unmistakable stamp of intelligence and refinement.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
perceptionnounUS /pərˈsepʃən/
the representation of what is perceived; basic component in the formation of a concept
From this reading But a single flash of the piercing gray eyes generally sufficed to dispel any such impression; and told of keen perception and underlying power.
piercingadjectiveUS /ˈpɪrsɪŋ/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading But a single flash of the piercing gray eyes generally sufficed to dispel any such impression; and told of keen perception and underlying power.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading But a single flash of the piercing gray eyes generally sufficed to dispel any such impression; and told of keen perception and underlying power.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
refinementnounUS /rəˈfaɪnmənt/
a highly developed state of perfection; having a flawless or impeccable quality
From this reading The reporter was a man of about thirty, whose regular features bore the unmistakable stamp of intelligence and refinement.
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading The reporter was a man of about thirty, whose regular features bore the unmistakable stamp of intelligence and refinement.
reporternounUS /rɪˈpɔːrtər/
a person who investigates and reports or edits news stories
From this reading The reporter was a man of about thirty, whose regular features bore the unmistakable stamp of intelligence and refinement.
reposeverbUS /riˈpoʊz/
put or confide something in a person or thing
From this reading In repose, they wore an habitual expression of introspective concentration, which might have led a careless observer to class Ralph Sturgis in the category of aimless dreamers.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading But a single flash of the piercing gray eyes generally sufficed to dispel any such impression; and told of keen perception and underlying power.
stampverbUS /stæmp/
walk heavily
From this reading The reporter was a man of about thirty, whose regular features bore the unmistakable stamp of intelligence and refinement.
Sturgis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading But a single flash of the piercing gray eyes generally sufficed to dispel any such impression; and told of keen perception and underlying power.
sufficedverbUS /səˈfaɪst/
past form of “suffice” — be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity
From this reading But a single flash of the piercing gray eyes generally sufficed to dispel any such impression; and told of keen perception and underlying power.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WAGER.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
From this reading The reporter was a man of about thirty, whose regular features bore the unmistakable stamp of intelligence and refinement.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading But a single flash of the piercing gray eyes generally sufficed to dispel any such impression; and told of keen perception and underlying power.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
underlyingadjectiveUS /ˌʌndərˈlaɪɪŋ/
in the nature of something though not readily apparent
From this reading But a single flash of the piercing gray eyes generally sufficed to dispel any such impression; and told of keen perception and underlying power.
unmistakableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnmɪˈsteɪkəbəl/
clearly evident to the mind
From this reading The reporter was a man of about thirty, whose regular features bore the unmistakable stamp of intelligence and refinement.
WAGERnounUS /ˈweɪdʒər/
the act of gambling
From this reading THE WAGER.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The reporter was a man of about thirty, whose regular features bore the unmistakable stamp of intelligence and refinement.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In repose, they wore an habitual expression of introspective concentration, which might have led a careless observer to class Ralph Sturgis in the category of aimless dreamers.
belonging to which person
From this reading The reporter was a man of about thirty, whose regular features bore the unmistakable stamp of intelligence and refinement.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading In repose, they wore an habitual expression of introspective concentration, which might have led a careless observer to class Ralph Sturgis in the category of aimless dreamers.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading "What I mean to assert," said Ralph Sturgis, with quiet conviction, "is that every crime is its own historian; that all its minutest details are written in circumstantial evidence as completely as an eye-witness could see them,--aye, more fully and more truly than they could be described by the criminal himself."
