adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The commissioner paused, then went on, quickly, "It looks as if it were nothing less than an epidemic of beriberi--not on a ship coming into port as so often happens, but actually in the heart of the city."
absentlyadverb
in an absentminded or preoccupied manner
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
actuallyadverbUS /ˈæktʃuːəli/
in actual fact
From this reading The commissioner paused, then went on, quickly, "It looks as if it were nothing less than an epidemic of beriberi--not on a ship coming into port as so often happens, but actually in the heart of the city."
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The commissioner paused, then went on, quickly, "It looks as if it were nothing less than an epidemic of beriberi--not on a ship coming into port as so often happens, but actually in the heart of the city."
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was the first time we had seen him since the appointment and we hastened to congratulate him.
appointmentnounUS /əˈpɔɪntmənt/
the act of putting a person into a non-elective position
From this reading It was the first time we had seen him since the appointment and we hastened to congratulate him.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The commissioner paused, then went on, quickly, "It looks as if it were nothing less than an epidemic of beriberi--not on a ship coming into port as so often happens, but actually in the heart of the city."
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Do you know, Kennedy," he said, at length, turning in his chair and facing us, "I believe we have found one of the strangest cases in the history of the department."
believeverbUS /bɪˈliːv/
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading "Do you know, Kennedy," he said, at length, turning in his chair and facing us, "I believe we have found one of the strangest cases in the history of the department."
beriberinoun
avitaminosis caused by lack of thiamine (vitamin B1)
From this reading The commissioner paused, then went on, quickly, "It looks as if it were nothing less than an epidemic of beriberi--not on a ship coming into port as so often happens, but actually in the heart of the city."
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The commissioner paused, then went on, quickly, "It looks as if it were nothing less than an epidemic of beriberi--not on a ship coming into port as so often happens, but actually in the heart of the city."
casesnounUS /ˈkeɪsəz/
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading "Do you know, Kennedy," he said, at length, turning in his chair and facing us, "I believe we have found one of the strangest cases in the history of the department."
chairnounUS /tʃer/
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading "Do you know, Kennedy," he said, at length, turning in his chair and facing us, "I believe we have found one of the strangest cases in the history of the department."
citynounUS /ˈsɪti/
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The commissioner paused, then went on, quickly, "It looks as if it were nothing less than an epidemic of beriberi--not on a ship coming into port as so often happens, but actually in the heart of the city."
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Craig said nothing, preferring to let the commissioner come to the point in his own way.
comingnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋ/
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading The commissioner paused, then went on, quickly, "It looks as if it were nothing less than an epidemic of beriberi--not on a ship coming into port as so often happens, but actually in the heart of the city."
commissionernounUS /kəˈmɪʃənər/
a government administrator
From this reading Craig said nothing, preferring to let the commissioner come to the point in his own way.
congratulateverbUS /kənˈɡrætʃəleɪt/
say something to someone that expresses praise
From this reading It was the first time we had seen him since the appointment and we hastened to congratulate him.
Craig
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Craig said nothing, preferring to let the commissioner come to the point in his own way.
departmentnounUS /dɪˈpɑːrtmənt/
a specialized division of a large organization
From this reading "Do you know, Kennedy," he said, at length, turning in his chair and facing us, "I believe we have found one of the strangest cases in the history of the department."
Doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Do you know, Kennedy," he said, at length, turning in his chair and facing us, "I believe we have found one of the strangest cases in the history of the department."
epidemicnounUS /ˌepəˈdemɪk/
a widespread outbreak of an infectious disease; many people are infected at the same time
From this reading The commissioner paused, then went on, quickly, "It looks as if it were nothing less than an epidemic of beriberi--not on a ship coming into port as so often happens, but actually in the heart of the city."
evidentadjectiveUS /ˈevədənt/
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
facingnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/
a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading "Do you know, Kennedy," he said, at length, turning in his chair and facing us, "I believe we have found one of the strangest cases in the history of the department."
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was the first time we had seen him since the appointment and we hastened to congratulate him.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading "Do you know, Kennedy," he said, at length, turning in his chair and facing us, "I believe we have found one of the strangest cases in the history of the department."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was the first time we had seen him since the appointment and we hastened to congratulate him.
happensverbUS /ˈhæpənz/
third-person singular of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading The commissioner paused, then went on, quickly, "It looks as if it were nothing less than an epidemic of beriberi--not on a ship coming into port as so often happens, but actually in the heart of the city."
hastenedverbUS /ˈheɪsənd/
past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed
From this reading It was the first time we had seen him since the appointment and we hastened to congratulate him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Do you know, Kennedy," he said, at length, turning in his chair and facing us, "I believe we have found one of the strangest cases in the history of the department."
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
heartnounUS /hɑːrt/
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading The commissioner paused, then went on, quickly, "It looks as if it were nothing less than an epidemic of beriberi--not on a ship coming into port as so often happens, but actually in the heart of the city."
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was the first time we had seen him since the appointment and we hastened to congratulate him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
historynounUS /ˈhɪstəri/
the aggregate of past events
From this reading "Do you know, Kennedy," he said, at length, turning in his chair and facing us, "I believe we have found one of the strangest cases in the history of the department."
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Do you know, Kennedy," he said, at length, turning in his chair and facing us, "I believe we have found one of the strangest cases in the history of the department."
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The commissioner paused, then went on, quickly, "It looks as if it were nothing less than an epidemic of beriberi--not on a ship coming into port as so often happens, but actually in the heart of the city."
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the first time we had seen him since the appointment and we hastened to congratulate him.
justifyverbUS /ˈdʒʌstəfaɪ/
show to be right by providing justification or proof
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
KennedynounUS /ˈkenədi/
35th President of the United States; established the Peace Corps; assassinated in Dallas (1917-1963)
From this reading "Do you know, Kennedy," he said, at length, turning in his chair and facing us, "I believe we have found one of the strangest cases in the history of the department."
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "Do you know, Kennedy," he said, at length, turning in his chair and facing us, "I believe we have found one of the strangest cases in the history of the department."
lengthnounUS /leŋkθ/
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading "Do you know, Kennedy," he said, at length, turning in his chair and facing us, "I believe we have found one of the strangest cases in the history of the department."
lessadverbUS /les/
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading The commissioner paused, then went on, quickly, "It looks as if it were nothing less than an epidemic of beriberi--not on a ship coming into port as so often happens, but actually in the heart of the city."
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Craig said nothing, preferring to let the commissioner come to the point in his own way.
looksnounUS /lʊks/
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading The commissioner paused, then went on, quickly, "It looks as if it were nothing less than an epidemic of beriberi--not on a ship coming into port as so often happens, but actually in the heart of the city."
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The commissioner paused, then went on, quickly, "It looks as if it were nothing less than an epidemic of beriberi--not on a ship coming into port as so often happens, but actually in the heart of the city."
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Craig said nothing, preferring to let the commissioner come to the point in his own way.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Do you know, Kennedy," he said, at length, turning in his chair and facing us, "I believe we have found one of the strangest cases in the history of the department."
officenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/
many times at short intervals
From this reading The commissioner paused, then went on, quickly, "It looks as if it were nothing less than an epidemic of beriberi--not on a ship coming into port as so often happens, but actually in the heart of the city."
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "Do you know, Kennedy," he said, at length, turning in his chair and facing us, "I believe we have found one of the strangest cases in the history of the department."
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Craig said nothing, preferring to let the commissioner come to the point in his own way.
pausedverbUS /pɔːzd/
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading The commissioner paused, then went on, quickly, "It looks as if it were nothing less than an epidemic of beriberi--not on a ship coming into port as so often happens, but actually in the heart of the city."
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Craig said nothing, preferring to let the commissioner come to the point in his own way.
portnounUS /pɔːrt/
a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading The commissioner paused, then went on, quickly, "It looks as if it were nothing less than an epidemic of beriberi--not on a ship coming into port as so often happens, but actually in the heart of the city."
preferringverbUS /prɪˈfɜːrɪŋ/
inflected form of “prefer” — like better; value more highly
From this reading Craig said nothing, preferring to let the commissioner come to the point in his own way.
problemnounUS /ˈprɑːbləm/
a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
purposenounUS /ˈpɜːrpəs/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
quicklyadverbUS /ˈkwɪkli/
with speed
From this reading The commissioner paused, then went on, quickly, "It looks as if it were nothing less than an epidemic of beriberi--not on a ship coming into port as so often happens, but actually in the heart of the city."
reputationnounUS /ˌrepjəˈteɪʃən/
the state of being held in high esteem and honor
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Craig said nothing, preferring to let the commissioner come to the point in his own way.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It was the first time we had seen him since the appointment and we hastened to congratulate him.
shipverbUS /ʃɪp/
transport commercially
From this reading The commissioner paused, then went on, quickly, "It looks as if it were nothing less than an epidemic of beriberi--not on a ship coming into port as so often happens, but actually in the heart of the city."
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading It was the first time we had seen him since the appointment and we hastened to congratulate him.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The commissioner paused, then went on, quickly, "It looks as if it were nothing less than an epidemic of beriberi--not on a ship coming into port as so often happens, but actually in the heart of the city."
solveverbUS /sɑːlv/
find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
strangestadjectiveUS /ˈstreɪndʒɪst/
superlative of “strange” — being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading "Do you know, Kennedy," he said, at length, turning in his chair and facing us, "I believe we have found one of the strangest cases in the history of the department."
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
thankedverbUS /θæŋkt/
past form of “thank” — express gratitude or show appreciation to
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was the first time we had seen him since the appointment and we hastened to congratulate him.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The commissioner paused, then went on, quickly, "It looks as if it were nothing less than an epidemic of beriberi--not on a ship coming into port as so often happens, but actually in the heart of the city."
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was the first time we had seen him since the appointment and we hastened to congratulate him.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was the first time we had seen him since the appointment and we hastened to congratulate him.
turningnounUS /ˈtɜːrnɪŋ/
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading "Do you know, Kennedy," he said, at length, turning in his chair and facing us, "I believe we have found one of the strangest cases in the history of the department."
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the first time we had seen him since the appointment and we hastened to congratulate him.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Craig said nothing, preferring to let the commissioner come to the point in his own way.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It was the first time we had seen him since the appointment and we hastened to congratulate him.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The commissioner paused, then went on, quickly, "It looks as if it were nothing less than an epidemic of beriberi--not on a ship coming into port as so often happens, but actually in the heart of the city."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The commissioner paused, then went on, quickly, "It looks as if it were nothing less than an epidemic of beriberi--not on a ship coming into port as so often happens, but actually in the heart of the city."
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He thanked us absently, and it was evident that there was something on his mind, some problem which, in his new office, he felt that he must solve if for no other purpose than to justify his reputation.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Do you know, Kennedy," he said, at length, turning in his chair and facing us, "I believe we have found one of the strangest cases in the history of the department."
