used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was no doubt that the Italian had at first intended to make a permanent record of the secret, but had afterwards thought better of it.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading I took up the parchment, with its dangling seal, and noticed a dark smear across it.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading There was no doubt that the Italian had at first intended to make a permanent record of the secret, but had afterwards thought better of it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I took up the parchment, with its dangling seal, and noticed a dark smear across it.
a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true
From this reading THE SEVEN DEAD MEN HIS argument was quite logical.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was evidently no fool, as shown by the testamentary disposition of the Spanish loot.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was no doubt that the Italian had at first intended to make a permanent record of the secret, but had afterwards thought better of it.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading There was no doubt that the Italian had at first intended to make a permanent record of the secret, but had afterwards thought better of it.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading The old expert told me that the stain was a smear of blood.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was no doubt that the Italian had at first intended to make a permanent record of the secret, but had afterwards thought better of it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He was evidently no fool, as shown by the testamentary disposition of the Spanish loot.
danglingnounUS /ˈdæŋɡəlɪŋ/
the act of suspending something (hanging it from above so it moves freely)
From this reading I took up the parchment, with its dangling seal, and noticed a dark smear across it.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading I took up the parchment, with its dangling seal, and noticed a dark smear across it.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading THE SEVEN DEAD MEN HIS argument was quite logical.
dispositionnounUS /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/
your usual mood
From this reading He was evidently no fool, as shown by the testamentary disposition of the Spanish loot.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading There was no doubt that the Italian had at first intended to make a permanent record of the secret, but had afterwards thought better of it.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading He was evidently no fool, as shown by the testamentary disposition of the Spanish loot.
expertadjectiveUS /ˈekspərt/
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
From this reading The old expert told me that the stain was a smear of blood.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading There was no doubt that the Italian had at first intended to make a permanent record of the secret, but had afterwards thought better of it.
a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading He was evidently no fool, as shown by the testamentary disposition of the Spanish loot.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There was no doubt that the Italian had at first intended to make a permanent record of the secret, but had afterwards thought better of it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was evidently no fool, as shown by the testamentary disposition of the Spanish loot.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE SEVEN DEAD MEN HIS argument was quite logical.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I took up the parchment, with its dangling seal, and noticed a dark smear across it.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading There was no doubt that the Italian had at first intended to make a permanent record of the secret, but had afterwards thought better of it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There was no doubt that the Italian had at first intended to make a permanent record of the secret, but had afterwards thought better of it.
a native or inhabitant of Italy
From this reading There was no doubt that the Italian had at first intended to make a permanent record of the secret, but had afterwards thought better of it.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading I took up the parchment, with its dangling seal, and noticed a dark smear across it.
logicaladjectiveUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪkəl/
capable of or reflecting the capability for correct and valid reasoning
From this reading THE SEVEN DEAD MEN HIS argument was quite logical.
lootnounUS /luːt/
goods or money obtained illegally
From this reading He was evidently no fool, as shown by the testamentary disposition of the Spanish loot.
engage in
From this reading There was no doubt that the Italian had at first intended to make a permanent record of the secret, but had afterwards thought better of it.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The old expert told me that the stain was a smear of blood.
the force of workers available
From this reading THE SEVEN DEAD MEN HIS argument was quite logical.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no doubt that the Italian had at first intended to make a permanent record of the secret, but had afterwards thought better of it.
being perceived or observed
From this reading I took up the parchment, with its dangling seal, and noticed a dark smear across it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was no doubt that the Italian had at first intended to make a permanent record of the secret, but had afterwards thought better of it.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The old expert told me that the stain was a smear of blood.
parchmentnounUS /ˈpɑːrtʃ.mənt/
A stiff, flat, thin material made from the prepared skin of an animal, used for writing.
From this reading I took up the parchment, with its dangling seal, and noticed a dark smear across it.
permanentadjectiveUS /ˈpɜːrmənənt/
continuing or enduring without marked change in status or condition or place
From this reading There was no doubt that the Italian had at first intended to make a permanent record of the secret, but had afterwards thought better of it.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading THE SEVEN DEAD MEN HIS argument was quite logical.
anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events
From this reading There was no doubt that the Italian had at first intended to make a permanent record of the secret, but had afterwards thought better of it.
sealverbUS /siːl/
make tight; secure against leakage
From this reading I took up the parchment, with its dangling seal, and noticed a dark smear across it.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading There was no doubt that the Italian had at first intended to make a permanent record of the secret, but had afterwards thought better of it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading THE SEVEN DEAD MEN HIS argument was quite logical.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He was evidently no fool, as shown by the testamentary disposition of the Spanish loot.
smearnounUS /smɪr/
slanderous defamation
From this reading I took up the parchment, with its dangling seal, and noticed a dark smear across it.
the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain
From this reading He was evidently no fool, as shown by the testamentary disposition of the Spanish loot.
stainnounUS /steɪn/
a soiled or discolored appearance
From this reading The old expert told me that the stain was a smear of blood.
testamentaryadjectiveUS /ˌtestəˈmentəri/
of or relating to a will or testament or bequeathed by a will or testament
From this reading He was evidently no fool, as shown by the testamentary disposition of the Spanish loot.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was no doubt that the Italian had at first intended to make a permanent record of the secret, but had afterwards thought better of it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SEVEN DEAD MEN HIS argument was quite logical.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no doubt that the Italian had at first intended to make a permanent record of the secret, but had afterwards thought better of it.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading There was no doubt that the Italian had at first intended to make a permanent record of the secret, but had afterwards thought better of it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was no doubt that the Italian had at first intended to make a permanent record of the secret, but had afterwards thought better of it.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading The old expert told me that the stain was a smear of blood.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading I took up the parchment, with its dangling seal, and noticed a dark smear across it.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading I took up the parchment, with its dangling seal, and noticed a dark smear across it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SEVEN DEAD MEN HIS argument was quite logical.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I took up the parchment, with its dangling seal, and noticed a dark smear across it.
