used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading DAYS OF WAITING Fenton Hardy had high hopes of a quick solution of the mystery when he went to New York.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The wig appeared to be his chief clue, and when he arrived in the city he went directly to the head office of the company that had manufactured it.
arouseverbUS /ərˈaʊz/
call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
From this reading He had not stated his optimism to the boys, being careful not to arouse their hopes, but in his heart he thought it would be but a matter of hours before he ran the owner of the red wig to earth.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading The wig appeared to be his chief clue, and when he arrived in the city he went directly to the head office of the company that had manufactured it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He had not stated his optimism to the boys, being careful not to arouse their hopes, but in his heart he thought it would be but a matter of hours before he ran the owner of the red wig to earth.
bewilderingverbUS /bɪˈwɪldərɪŋ/
-ing form of “bewilder” — be a mystery or bewildering to
From this reading But obstacles presented themselves before him in bewildering succession.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading He had not stated his optimism to the boys, being careful not to arouse their hopes, but in his heart he thought it would be but a matter of hours before he ran the owner of the red wig to earth.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had not stated his optimism to the boys, being careful not to arouse their hopes, but in his heart he thought it would be but a matter of hours before he ran the owner of the red wig to earth.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading He had not stated his optimism to the boys, being careful not to arouse their hopes, but in his heart he thought it would be but a matter of hours before he ran the owner of the red wig to earth.
a person who is in charge
From this reading The wig appeared to be his chief clue, and when he arrived in the city he went directly to the head office of the company that had manufactured it.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The wig appeared to be his chief clue, and when he arrived in the city he went directly to the head office of the company that had manufactured it.
cluenounUS /kluː/
a slight indication
From this reading The wig appeared to be his chief clue, and when he arrived in the city he went directly to the head office of the company that had manufactured it.
cluesnounUS /kluːz/
plural of “clue” — a slight indication
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading The wig appeared to be his chief clue, and when he arrived in the city he went directly to the head office of the company that had manufactured it.
confidentadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnfədənt/
having or marked by confidence or assurance
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading DAYS OF WAITING Fenton Hardy had high hopes of a quick solution of the mystery when he went to New York.
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
without deviation
From this reading The wig appeared to be his chief clue, and when he arrived in the city he went directly to the head office of the company that had manufactured it.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading He had not stated his optimism to the boys, being careful not to arouse their hopes, but in his heart he thought it would be but a matter of hours before he ran the owner of the red wig to earth.
Fenton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DAYS OF WAITING Fenton Hardy had high hopes of a quick solution of the mystery when he went to New York.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading DAYS OF WAITING Fenton Hardy had high hopes of a quick solution of the mystery when he went to New York.
HardyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading DAYS OF WAITING Fenton Hardy had high hopes of a quick solution of the mystery when he went to New York.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading DAYS OF WAITING Fenton Hardy had high hopes of a quick solution of the mystery when he went to New York.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The wig appeared to be his chief clue, and when he arrived in the city he went directly to the head office of the company that had manufactured it.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading He had not stated his optimism to the boys, being careful not to arouse their hopes, but in his heart he thought it would be but a matter of hours before he ran the owner of the red wig to earth.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading DAYS OF WAITING Fenton Hardy had high hopes of a quick solution of the mystery when he went to New York.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had not stated his optimism to the boys, being careful not to arouse their hopes, but in his heart he thought it would be but a matter of hours before he ran the owner of the red wig to earth.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading DAYS OF WAITING Fenton Hardy had high hopes of a quick solution of the mystery when he went to New York.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading He had not stated his optimism to the boys, being careful not to arouse their hopes, but in his heart he thought it would be but a matter of hours before he ran the owner of the red wig to earth.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had not stated his optimism to the boys, being careful not to arouse their hopes, but in his heart he thought it would be but a matter of hours before he ran the owner of the red wig to earth.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
manufacturedadjectiveUS /ˌmænjəˈfæktʃərd/
produced in a large-scale industrial operation
From this reading The wig appeared to be his chief clue, and when he arrived in the city he went directly to the head office of the company that had manufactured it.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading He had not stated his optimism to the boys, being careful not to arouse their hopes, but in his heart he thought it would be but a matter of hours before he ran the owner of the red wig to earth.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading DAYS OF WAITING Fenton Hardy had high hopes of a quick solution of the mystery when he went to New York.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading DAYS OF WAITING Fenton Hardy had high hopes of a quick solution of the mystery when he went to New York.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
obstaclesnounUS /ˈɑːbstəkəlz/
plural of “obstacle” — something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted
From this reading But obstacles presented themselves before him in bewildering succession.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading DAYS OF WAITING Fenton Hardy had high hopes of a quick solution of the mystery when he went to New York.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading The wig appeared to be his chief clue, and when he arrived in the city he went directly to the head office of the company that had manufactured it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
optimismnounUS /ˈɑːptəmɪzəm/
the optimistic feeling that all is going to turn out well
From this reading He had not stated his optimism to the boys, being careful not to arouse their hopes, but in his heart he thought it would be but a matter of hours before he ran the owner of the red wig to earth.
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading But obstacles presented themselves before him in bewildering succession.
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading DAYS OF WAITING Fenton Hardy had high hopes of a quick solution of the mystery when he went to New York.
with speed
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading He had not stated his optimism to the boys, being careful not to arouse their hopes, but in his heart he thought it would be but a matter of hours before he ran the owner of the red wig to earth.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading He had not stated his optimism to the boys, being careful not to arouse their hopes, but in his heart he thought it would be but a matter of hours before he ran the owner of the red wig to earth.
solutionnounUS /səˈluːʃən/
a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid solution
From this reading DAYS OF WAITING Fenton Hardy had high hopes of a quick solution of the mystery when he went to New York.
statedadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtɪd/
declared as fact; explicitly stated
From this reading He had not stated his optimism to the boys, being careful not to arouse their hopes, but in his heart he thought it would be but a matter of hours before he ran the owner of the red wig to earth.
successionnounUS /səkˈseʃən/
a following of one thing after another in time
From this reading But obstacles presented themselves before him in bewildering succession.
tangledadjectiveUS /ˈtæŋɡəld/
in a confused mass
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DAYS OF WAITING Fenton Hardy had high hopes of a quick solution of the mystery when he went to New York.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He had not stated his optimism to the boys, being careful not to arouse their hopes, but in his heart he thought it would be but a matter of hours before he ran the owner of the red wig to earth.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading But obstacles presented themselves before him in bewildering succession.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He had not stated his optimism to the boys, being careful not to arouse their hopes, but in his heart he thought it would be but a matter of hours before he ran the owner of the red wig to earth.
threadsnounUS /θredz/
informal terms for clothing
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading DAYS OF WAITING Fenton Hardy had high hopes of a quick solution of the mystery when he went to New York.
tracingnounUS /ˈtreɪsɪŋ/
the act of drawing a plan or diagram or outline
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
unravelverbUS /ənˈrævəl/
become or cause to become undone by separating the fibers or threads of
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading DAYS OF WAITING Fenton Hardy had high hopes of a quick solution of the mystery when he went to New York.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading DAYS OF WAITING Fenton Hardy had high hopes of a quick solution of the mystery when he went to New York.
at the time that
From this reading DAYS OF WAITING Fenton Hardy had high hopes of a quick solution of the mystery when he went to New York.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
wignounUS /wɪɡ/
hairpiece covering the head and made of real or synthetic hair
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Possession of the wig, the hat and the coat gave him three clues, any one of which might lead to tracing the previous owner quickly, and the detective was confident that it would not be long before he would unravel the tangled threads.
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading DAYS OF WAITING Fenton Hardy had high hopes of a quick solution of the mystery when he went to New York.
