used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Nothing can possibly be more baffling than a crime in a sealed room ... but what if the investigator happens to have an open mind?
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading I took a quick look around the apartment, even though I already knew what I had to know.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Nothing can possibly be more baffling than a crime in a sealed room ... but what if the investigator happens to have an open mind?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The wall safe stood with its door open and its contents missing.
AndrewsnounUS /ˈændruːz/
United States naturalist who contributed to paleontology and geology (1884-1960)
From this reading Gordon Andrews had been slain in his sleep by the quick thrust of some rapierlike instrument.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading There was no sign of any struggle.
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading I took a quick look around the apartment, even though I already knew what I had to know.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading I took a quick look around the apartment, even though I already knew what I had to know.
bafflingadjectiveUS /ˈbæfəlɪŋ/
making great mental demands; hard to comprehend or solve or believe
From this reading Nothing can possibly be more baffling than a crime in a sealed room ... but what if the investigator happens to have an open mind?
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Nothing can possibly be more baffling than a crime in a sealed room ... but what if the investigator happens to have an open mind?
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Gordon Andrews had been slain in his sleep by the quick thrust of some rapierlike instrument.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Nothing can possibly be more baffling than a crime in a sealed room ... but what if the investigator happens to have an open mind?
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Gordon Andrews had been slain in his sleep by the quick thrust of some rapierlike instrument.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Nothing can possibly be more baffling than a crime in a sealed room ... but what if the investigator happens to have an open mind?
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading The wall safe stood with its door open and its contents missing.
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading Nothing can possibly be more baffling than a crime in a sealed room ... but what if the investigator happens to have an open mind?
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The wall safe stood with its door open and its contents missing.
divisible by two
From this reading I took a quick look around the apartment, even though I already knew what I had to know.
Gordon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gordon Andrews had been slain in his sleep by the quick thrust of some rapierlike instrument.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I took a quick look around the apartment, even though I already knew what I had to know.
third-person singular of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Nothing can possibly be more baffling than a crime in a sealed room ... but what if the investigator happens to have an open mind?
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Nothing can possibly be more baffling than a crime in a sealed room ... but what if the investigator happens to have an open mind?
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Gordon Andrews had been slain in his sleep by the quick thrust of some rapierlike instrument.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I took a quick look around the apartment, even though I already knew what I had to know.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Nothing can possibly be more baffling than a crime in a sealed room ... but what if the investigator happens to have an open mind?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Nothing can possibly be more baffling than a crime in a sealed room ... but what if the investigator happens to have an open mind?
instrumentnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənt/
a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading Gordon Andrews had been slain in his sleep by the quick thrust of some rapierlike instrument.
investigatornounUS /ˌɪnˈvestəɡeɪtər/
a scientist who devotes himself to doing research
From this reading Nothing can possibly be more baffling than a crime in a sealed room ... but what if the investigator happens to have an open mind?
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The wall safe stood with its door open and its contents missing.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I took a quick look around the apartment, even though I already knew what I had to know.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I took a quick look around the apartment, even though I already knew what I had to know.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading I took a quick look around the apartment, even though I already knew what I had to know.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Nothing can possibly be more baffling than a crime in a sealed room ... but what if the investigator happens to have an open mind?
not able to be found
From this reading The wall safe stood with its door open and its contents missing.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Nothing can possibly be more baffling than a crime in a sealed room ... but what if the investigator happens to have an open mind?
not any; not one
From this reading There was no sign of any struggle.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing can possibly be more baffling than a crime in a sealed room ... but what if the investigator happens to have an open mind?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Gordon Andrews had been slain in his sleep by the quick thrust of some rapierlike instrument.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Nothing can possibly be more baffling than a crime in a sealed room ... but what if the investigator happens to have an open mind?
by chance
From this reading Nothing can possibly be more baffling than a crime in a sealed room ... but what if the investigator happens to have an open mind?
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading I took a quick look around the apartment, even though I already knew what I had to know.
rapierlike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gordon Andrews had been slain in his sleep by the quick thrust of some rapierlike instrument.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Nothing can possibly be more baffling than a crime in a sealed room ... but what if the investigator happens to have an open mind?
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading The wall safe stood with its door open and its contents missing.
sealedadjectiveUS /siːld/
established irrevocably
From this reading Nothing can possibly be more baffling than a crime in a sealed room ... but what if the investigator happens to have an open mind?
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading There was no sign of any struggle.
slainnounUS /sleɪn/
people who have been slain (as in battle)
From this reading Gordon Andrews had been slain in his sleep by the quick thrust of some rapierlike instrument.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Gordon Andrews had been slain in his sleep by the quick thrust of some rapierlike instrument.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Gordon Andrews had been slain in his sleep by the quick thrust of some rapierlike instrument.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The wall safe stood with its door open and its contents missing.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading There was no sign of any struggle.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Nothing can possibly be more baffling than a crime in a sealed room ... but what if the investigator happens to have an open mind?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Nothing can possibly be more baffling than a crime in a sealed room ... but what if the investigator happens to have an open mind?
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no sign of any struggle.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading I took a quick look around the apartment, even though I already knew what I had to know.
push forcefully
From this reading Gordon Andrews had been slain in his sleep by the quick thrust of some rapierlike instrument.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Nothing can possibly be more baffling than a crime in a sealed room ... but what if the investigator happens to have an open mind?
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading I took a quick look around the apartment, even though I already knew what I had to know.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The wall safe stood with its door open and its contents missing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was no sign of any struggle.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Nothing can possibly be more baffling than a crime in a sealed room ... but what if the investigator happens to have an open mind?
in the company of; together with
From this reading The wall safe stood with its door open and its contents missing.
