used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Chase, ending with a Surprise “Now then,” said the policeman, falling back on a formula in face of an unexpected situation.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “What’s all this about?”
(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’s all this about?”
amateurnounUS /ˈæmətɜːr/
someone who pursues a study or sport as a pastime
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A Chase, ending with a Surprise “Now then,” said the policeman, falling back on a formula in face of an unexpected situation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It implies introspection, and he who introspects is commonly lost.
any thing at all
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading A Chase, ending with a Surprise “Now then,” said the policeman, falling back on a formula in face of an unexpected situation.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There can be no doubt that, on most occasions, the sense of humour is a handicap in life.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
break-down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading There can be no doubt that, on most occasions, the sense of humour is a handicap in life.
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
go after with the intent to catch
From this reading A Chase, ending with a Surprise “Now then,” said the policeman, falling back on a formula in face of an unexpected situation.
a young person of either sex
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
commonlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːmənli/
under normal conditions
From this reading It implies introspection, and he who introspects is commonly lost.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
criminalsnounUS /ˈkrɪmənəlz/
plural of “criminal” — someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
detectivesnounUS /dɪˈtektɪvz/
plural of “detective” — a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading There can be no doubt that, on most occasions, the sense of humour is a handicap in life.
doubtfuladjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtfəl/
open to doubt or suspicion
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
endingnounUS /ˈendɪŋ/
the end of a word (a suffix or inflectional ending or final morpheme)
From this reading A Chase, ending with a Surprise “Now then,” said the policeman, falling back on a formula in face of an unexpected situation.
exculpatedadjective
freed from any question of guilt
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading A Chase, ending with a Surprise “Now then,” said the policeman, falling back on a formula in face of an unexpected situation.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading A Chase, ending with a Surprise “Now then,” said the policeman, falling back on a formula in face of an unexpected situation.
formulanounUS /ˈfɔːrmjələ/
a group of symbols that make a mathematical statement
From this reading A Chase, ending with a Surprise “Now then,” said the policeman, falling back on a formula in face of an unexpected situation.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
Gordon's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
gravitynounUS /ˈɡrævəti/
(physics) the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth's mass for bodies near its surface
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
handicapnounUS /ˈhændikæp/
the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness
From this reading There can be no doubt that, on most occasions, the sense of humour is a handicap in life.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It implies introspection, and he who introspects is commonly lost.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading There can be no doubt that, on most occasions, the sense of humour is a handicap in life.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
impliesverbUS /ˌɪmˈplaɪz/
third-person singular of “imply” — express or state indirectly
From this reading It implies introspection, and he who introspects is commonly lost.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A Chase, ending with a Surprise “Now then,” said the policeman, falling back on a formula in face of an unexpected situation.
innocencenounUS /ˈɪnəsəns/
the quality of innocent naivete
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
introspectionnounUS /ˌɪntrəˈspekʃən/
the contemplation of your own thoughts and desires and conduct
From this reading It implies introspection, and he who introspects is commonly lost.
introspects
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It implies introspection, and he who introspects is commonly lost.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There can be no doubt that, on most occasions, the sense of humour is a handicap in life.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It implies introspection, and he who introspects is commonly lost.
the sound of laughing
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading There can be no doubt that, on most occasions, the sense of humour is a handicap in life.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading It implies introspection, and he who introspects is commonly lost.
used to form the superlative
From this reading There can be no doubt that, on most occasions, the sense of humour is a handicap in life.
not any; not one
From this reading There can be no doubt that, on most occasions, the sense of humour is a handicap in life.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading A Chase, ending with a Surprise “Now then,” said the policeman, falling back on a formula in face of an unexpected situation.
something you have to do
From this reading There can be no doubt that, on most occasions, the sense of humour is a handicap in life.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A Chase, ending with a Surprise “Now then,” said the policeman, falling back on a formula in face of an unexpected situation.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A Chase, ending with a Surprise “Now then,” said the policeman, falling back on a formula in face of an unexpected situation.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
policemannounUS /pəˈliːsmən/
a member of a police force
From this reading A Chase, ending with a Surprise “Now then,” said the policeman, falling back on a formula in face of an unexpected situation.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading A Chase, ending with a Surprise “Now then,” said the policeman, falling back on a formula in face of an unexpected situation.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading There can be no doubt that, on most occasions, the sense of humour is a handicap in life.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading A Chase, ending with a Surprise “Now then,” said the policeman, falling back on a formula in face of an unexpected situation.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
speedilyadverbUS /ˈspiːdəli/
with speed
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading A Chase, ending with a Surprise “Now then,” said the policeman, falling back on a formula in face of an unexpected situation.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There can be no doubt that, on most occasions, the sense of humour is a handicap in life.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Chase, ending with a Surprise “Now then,” said the policeman, falling back on a formula in face of an unexpected situation.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading A Chase, ending with a Surprise “Now then,” said the policeman, falling back on a formula in face of an unexpected situation.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There can be no doubt that, on most occasions, the sense of humour is a handicap in life.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “What’s all this about?”
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading A Chase, ending with a Surprise “Now then,” said the policeman, falling back on a formula in face of an unexpected situation.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
What's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What’s all this about?”
at the time that
From this reading But laughter is, in great part, the child of innocence, and it is doubtful if anything could have exculpated the two amateur detectives from the charge of being criminals so speedily as the complete break-down of Gordon’s gravity when the question was asked.
which person or people
From this reading It implies introspection, and he who introspects is commonly lost.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A Chase, ending with a Surprise “Now then,” said the policeman, falling back on a formula in face of an unexpected situation.
