used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A RETURN STROKE Vivid memories remained in Fay’s mind as he reached the great Hôtel de Ville and turned toward the hostel where he had left the little silver greyhound.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A RETURN STROKE Vivid memories remained in Fay’s mind as he reached the great Hôtel de Ville and turned toward the hostel where he had left the little silver greyhound.
appliedadjectiveUS /əˈplaɪd/
concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles
From this reading The blundering attempts of Dutch Gus and the German crooks to obtain this key showed that pressure had been applied from some quarter.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading The attack upon the embassy’s safe on the same evening of arrival proved that the German gang had wind that Scotland Yard was on the case.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A RETURN STROKE Vivid memories remained in Fay’s mind as he reached the great Hôtel de Ville and turned toward the hostel where he had left the little silver greyhound.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading The attack upon the embassy’s safe on the same evening of arrival proved that the German gang had wind that Scotland Yard was on the case.
attemptsnounUS /əˈtempts/
plural of “attempt” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading The blundering attempts of Dutch Gus and the German crooks to obtain this key showed that pressure had been applied from some quarter.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The blundering attempts of Dutch Gus and the German crooks to obtain this key showed that pressure had been applied from some quarter.
blunderingverbUS /ˈblʌndərɪŋ/
-ing form of “blunder” — commit a faux pas or a fault or make a serious mistake
From this reading The blundering attempts of Dutch Gus and the German crooks to obtain this key showed that pressure had been applied from some quarter.
an occurrence of something
From this reading The attack upon the embassy’s safe on the same evening of arrival proved that the German gang had wind that Scotland Yard was on the case.
ciphernounUS /ˈsaɪ.fər/
A secret or disguised way of writing; a code used to conceal ancient secrets.
From this reading The key to the dye cipher was safe with him.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Dutch Gus had failed and the matter was closed, thought Fay.
crooksnounUS /krʊks/
plural of “crook” — someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
From this reading The blundering attempts of Dutch Gus and the German crooks to obtain this key showed that pressure had been applied from some quarter.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading A RETURN STROKE Vivid memories remained in Fay’s mind as he reached the great Hôtel de Ville and turned toward the hostel where he had left the little silver greyhound.
DutchadjectiveUS /dʌtʃ/
of or relating to the Netherlands or its people or culture
From this reading The blundering attempts of Dutch Gus and the German crooks to obtain this key showed that pressure had been applied from some quarter.
dyeverbUS /daɪ/
color with dye
From this reading The key to the dye cipher was safe with him.
embassy'snounUS /ˈembəsiz/
possessive form of “embassy” — a diplomatic building where ambassadors live or work
From this reading The attack upon the embassy’s safe on the same evening of arrival proved that the German gang had wind that Scotland Yard was on the case.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The attack upon the embassy’s safe on the same evening of arrival proved that the German gang had wind that Scotland Yard was on the case.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Dutch Gus had failed and the matter was closed, thought Fay.
FaynounUS /feɪ/
a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading Dutch Gus had failed and the matter was closed, thought Fay.
Fay'snounUS /feɪz/
possessive form of “fay” — a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading A RETURN STROKE Vivid memories remained in Fay’s mind as he reached the great Hôtel de Ville and turned toward the hostel where he had left the little silver greyhound.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The blundering attempts of Dutch Gus and the German crooks to obtain this key showed that pressure had been applied from some quarter.
gangnounUS /ɡæŋ/
an association of criminals
From this reading The attack upon the embassy’s safe on the same evening of arrival proved that the German gang had wind that Scotland Yard was on the case.
a person of German nationality
From this reading The blundering attempts of Dutch Gus and the German crooks to obtain this key showed that pressure had been applied from some quarter.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading A RETURN STROKE Vivid memories remained in Fay’s mind as he reached the great Hôtel de Ville and turned toward the hostel where he had left the little silver greyhound.
greyhoundnounUS /ˈɡreɪhaʊnd/
a tall slender dog of an ancient breed noted for swiftness and keen sight; used as a racing dog
From this reading A RETURN STROKE Vivid memories remained in Fay’s mind as he reached the great Hôtel de Ville and turned toward the hostel where he had left the little silver greyhound.
GusnounUS /ɡʌs/
plural of “gu” — the largest and southernmost island in the Marianas which is administered as a territory of the United States; it was ceded by Spain to the United States in 1898
From this reading The blundering attempts of Dutch Gus and the German crooks to obtain this key showed that pressure had been applied from some quarter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A RETURN STROKE Vivid memories remained in Fay’s mind as he reached the great Hôtel de Ville and turned toward the hostel where he had left the little silver greyhound.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A RETURN STROKE Vivid memories remained in Fay’s mind as he reached the great Hôtel de Ville and turned toward the hostel where he had left the little silver greyhound.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The key to the dye cipher was safe with him.
hostelnounUS /ˈhɑːstəl/
a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
From this reading A RETURN STROKE Vivid memories remained in Fay’s mind as he reached the great Hôtel de Ville and turned toward the hostel where he had left the little silver greyhound.
Hôtel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A RETURN STROKE Vivid memories remained in Fay’s mind as he reached the great Hôtel de Ville and turned toward the hostel where he had left the little silver greyhound.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A RETURN STROKE Vivid memories remained in Fay’s mind as he reached the great Hôtel de Ville and turned toward the hostel where he had left the little silver greyhound.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading The key to the dye cipher was safe with him.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading A RETURN STROKE Vivid memories remained in Fay’s mind as he reached the great Hôtel de Ville and turned toward the hostel where he had left the little silver greyhound.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A RETURN STROKE Vivid memories remained in Fay’s mind as he reached the great Hôtel de Ville and turned toward the hostel where he had left the little silver greyhound.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Dutch Gus had failed and the matter was closed, thought Fay.
memoriesnounUS /ˈmɛm.ə.riz/
Recollections of past events.
From this reading A RETURN STROKE Vivid memories remained in Fay’s mind as he reached the great Hôtel de Ville and turned toward the hostel where he had left the little silver greyhound.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading A RETURN STROKE Vivid memories remained in Fay’s mind as he reached the great Hôtel de Ville and turned toward the hostel where he had left the little silver greyhound.
come into possession of
From this reading The blundering attempts of Dutch Gus and the German crooks to obtain this key showed that pressure had been applied from some quarter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The blundering attempts of Dutch Gus and the German crooks to obtain this key showed that pressure had been applied from some quarter.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The attack upon the embassy’s safe on the same evening of arrival proved that the German gang had wind that Scotland Yard was on the case.
pressurenounUS /ˈpreʃər/
the force applied to a unit area of surface; measured in pascals (SI unit) or in dynes (cgs unit)
From this reading The blundering attempts of Dutch Gus and the German crooks to obtain this key showed that pressure had been applied from some quarter.
established beyond doubt
From this reading The attack upon the embassy’s safe on the same evening of arrival proved that the German gang had wind that Scotland Yard was on the case.
one of four equal parts
From this reading The blundering attempts of Dutch Gus and the German crooks to obtain this key showed that pressure had been applied from some quarter.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading A RETURN STROKE Vivid memories remained in Fay’s mind as he reached the great Hôtel de Ville and turned toward the hostel where he had left the little silver greyhound.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading A RETURN STROKE Vivid memories remained in Fay’s mind as he reached the great Hôtel de Ville and turned toward the hostel where he had left the little silver greyhound.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading A RETURN STROKE Vivid memories remained in Fay’s mind as he reached the great Hôtel de Ville and turned toward the hostel where he had left the little silver greyhound.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading The key to the dye cipher was safe with him.
Identical; not different.
From this reading The attack upon the embassy’s safe on the same evening of arrival proved that the German gang had wind that Scotland Yard was on the case.
one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts
From this reading The attack upon the embassy’s safe on the same evening of arrival proved that the German gang had wind that Scotland Yard was on the case.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The blundering attempts of Dutch Gus and the German crooks to obtain this key showed that pressure had been applied from some quarter.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading A RETURN STROKE Vivid memories remained in Fay’s mind as he reached the great Hôtel de Ville and turned toward the hostel where he had left the little silver greyhound.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The blundering attempts of Dutch Gus and the German crooks to obtain this key showed that pressure had been applied from some quarter.
(sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand
From this reading A RETURN STROKE Vivid memories remained in Fay’s mind as he reached the great Hôtel de Ville and turned toward the hostel where he had left the little silver greyhound.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The blundering attempts of Dutch Gus and the German crooks to obtain this key showed that pressure had been applied from some quarter.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A RETURN STROKE Vivid memories remained in Fay’s mind as he reached the great Hôtel de Ville and turned toward the hostel where he had left the little silver greyhound.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The blundering attempts of Dutch Gus and the German crooks to obtain this key showed that pressure had been applied from some quarter.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Dutch Gus had failed and the matter was closed, thought Fay.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The key to the dye cipher was safe with him.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading A RETURN STROKE Vivid memories remained in Fay’s mind as he reached the great Hôtel de Ville and turned toward the hostel where he had left the little silver greyhound.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading A RETURN STROKE Vivid memories remained in Fay’s mind as he reached the great Hôtel de Ville and turned toward the hostel where he had left the little silver greyhound.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The attack upon the embassy’s safe on the same evening of arrival proved that the German gang had wind that Scotland Yard was on the case.
Ville
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A RETURN STROKE Vivid memories remained in Fay’s mind as he reached the great Hôtel de Ville and turned toward the hostel where he had left the little silver greyhound.
VividadjectiveUS /ˈvɪvəd/
evoking lifelike images within the mind
From this reading A RETURN STROKE Vivid memories remained in Fay’s mind as he reached the great Hôtel de Ville and turned toward the hostel where he had left the little silver greyhound.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The key to the dye cipher was safe with him.
in or at the place that
From this reading A RETURN STROKE Vivid memories remained in Fay’s mind as he reached the great Hôtel de Ville and turned toward the hostel where he had left the little silver greyhound.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The attack upon the embassy’s safe on the same evening of arrival proved that the German gang had wind that Scotland Yard was on the case.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The key to the dye cipher was safe with him.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading The attack upon the embassy’s safe on the same evening of arrival proved that the German gang had wind that Scotland Yard was on the case.
