used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
consider or hold as true
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
actsnounUS /ækts/
a New Testament book describing the development of the early church from Christ's Ascension to Paul's sojourn at Rome
From this reading They knew that he was in the employ of the husband and father of the murdered woman, and that, therefore, his acts had the endorsement of her family.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Practically every other detective and police official in the country was wondering what secret motive had impelled Braceway to keep public attention focused on the tragedy after a flawless case against the real murderer had been established.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Practically every other detective and police official in the country was wondering what secret motive had impelled Braceway to keep public attention focused on the tragedy after a flawless case against the real murderer had been established.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading What, then, they asked, was the true situation back of the pursuit and persecution of the bank clerk, Henry Morley?
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Practically every other detective and police official in the country was wondering what secret motive had impelled Braceway to keep public attention focused on the tragedy after a flawless case against the real murderer had been established.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading What, then, they asked, was the true situation back of the pursuit and persecution of the bank clerk, Henry Morley?
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading What, then, they asked, was the true situation back of the pursuit and persecution of the bank clerk, Henry Morley?
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
Braceway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Practically every other detective and police official in the country was wondering what secret motive had impelled Braceway to keep public attention focused on the tragedy after a flawless case against the real murderer had been established.
Braceway's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
Bristow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
CarpenternounUS /ˈkɑːrpəntər/
a woodworker who makes or repairs wooden objects
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
an occurrence of something
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading What, then, they asked, was the true situation back of the pursuit and persecution of the bank clerk, Henry Morley?
an admission of misdeeds or faults
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading What possible interest could they have in running him down, in ruining his standing?
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Practically every other detective and police official in the country was wondering what secret motive had impelled Braceway to keep public attention focused on the tragedy after a flawless case against the real murderer had been established.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
detectivenounUS /dɪˈtektɪv/
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading Practically every other detective and police official in the country was wondering what secret motive had impelled Braceway to keep public attention focused on the tragedy after a flawless case against the real murderer had been established.
detective'snounUS /dɪˈtektɪvz/
possessive form of “detective” — a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading What possible interest could they have in running him down, in ruining his standing?
employverbUS /emˈplɔɪ/
put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
From this reading They knew that he was in the employ of the husband and father of the murdered woman, and that, therefore, his acts had the endorsement of her family.
endorsementnounUS /enˈdɔːrsmənt/
a promotional statement (as found on the dust jackets of books)
From this reading They knew that he was in the employ of the husband and father of the murdered woman, and that, therefore, his acts had the endorsement of her family.
brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established
From this reading Practically every other detective and police official in the country was wondering what secret motive had impelled Braceway to keep public attention focused on the tragedy after a flawless case against the real murderer had been established.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Practically every other detective and police official in the country was wondering what secret motive had impelled Braceway to keep public attention focused on the tragedy after a flawless case against the real murderer had been established.
a social unit living together
From this reading They knew that he was in the employ of the husband and father of the murdered woman, and that, therefore, his acts had the endorsement of her family.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading They knew that he was in the employ of the husband and father of the murdered woman, and that, therefore, his acts had the endorsement of her family.
fathomed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
finaladjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəl/
occurring at or forming an end or termination
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
flawlessadjectiveUS /ˈflɔːləs/
without a flaw
From this reading Practically every other detective and police official in the country was wondering what secret motive had impelled Braceway to keep public attention focused on the tragedy after a flawless case against the real murderer had been established.
focusedadjectiveUS /ˈfoʊkəst/
being in focus or brought into focus
From this reading Practically every other detective and police official in the country was wondering what secret motive had impelled Braceway to keep public attention focused on the tragedy after a flawless case against the real murderer had been established.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading What possible interest could they have in running him down, in ruining his standing?
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second
From this reading What, then, they asked, was the true situation back of the pursuit and persecution of the bank clerk, Henry Morley?
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading They knew that he was in the employ of the husband and father of the murdered woman, and that, therefore, his acts had the endorsement of her family.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading What possible interest could they have in running him down, in ruining his standing?
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading They knew that he was in the employ of the husband and father of the murdered woman, and that, therefore, his acts had the endorsement of her family.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading They knew that he was in the employ of the husband and father of the murdered woman, and that, therefore, his acts had the endorsement of her family.
impelledadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpeld/
urged or forced to action through moral pressure
From this reading Practically every other detective and police official in the country was wondering what secret motive had impelled Braceway to keep public attention focused on the tragedy after a flawless case against the real murderer had been established.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Practically every other detective and police official in the country was wondering what secret motive had impelled Braceway to keep public attention focused on the tragedy after a flawless case against the real murderer had been established.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading What possible interest could they have in running him down, in ruining his standing?
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Practically every other detective and police official in the country was wondering what secret motive had impelled Braceway to keep public attention focused on the tragedy after a flawless case against the real murderer had been established.
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 They knew that he was in the employ of the husband and father of the murdered woman, and that, therefore, his acts had the endorsement of her family.
MorleynounUS /ˈmɔːrli/
United States chemist and physicist who collaborated with Michelson in the Michelson-Morley experiment (1838-1923)
From this reading What, then, they asked, was the true situation back of the pursuit and persecution of the bank clerk, Henry Morley?
motivenounUS /ˈmoʊtɪv/
the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading Practically every other detective and police official in the country was wondering what secret motive had impelled Braceway to keep public attention focused on the tragedy after a flawless case against the real murderer had been established.
murderedadjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrdərd/
killed unlawfully
From this reading They knew that he was in the employ of the husband and father of the murdered woman, and that, therefore, his acts had the endorsement of her family.
murderernounUS /ˈmɜːrdərər/
a criminal who commits homicide (who performs the unlawful premeditated killing of another human being)
From this reading Practically every other detective and police official in the country was wondering what secret motive had impelled Braceway to keep public attention focused on the tragedy after a flawless case against the real murderer had been established.
mystifiedadjectiveUS /ˈmɪstəfaɪd/
totally perplexed and mixed up
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They knew that he was in the employ of the husband and father of the murdered woman, and that, therefore, his acts had the endorsement of her family.
having official authority or sanction
From this reading Practically every other detective and police official in the country was wondering what secret motive had impelled Braceway to keep public attention focused on the tragedy after a flawless case against the real murderer had been established.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Practically every other detective and police official in the country was wondering what secret motive had impelled Braceway to keep public attention focused on the tragedy after a flawless case against the real murderer had been established.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
and nothing more
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Practically every other detective and police official in the country was wondering what secret motive had impelled Braceway to keep public attention focused on the tragedy after a flawless case against the real murderer had been established.
PerrynounUS /ˈperi/
United States philosopher (1876-1957)
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
persecutionnounUS /ˌpɜːrsəˈkjuːʃən/
the act of persecuting (especially on the basis of race or religion)
From this reading What, then, they asked, was the true situation back of the pursuit and persecution of the bank clerk, Henry Morley?
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading Practically every other detective and police official in the country was wondering what secret motive had impelled Braceway to keep public attention focused on the tragedy after a flawless case against the real murderer had been established.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading What possible interest could they have in running him down, in ruining his standing?
PracticallyadverbUS /ˈpræktɪkli/
almost; nearly
From this reading Practically every other detective and police official in the country was wondering what secret motive had impelled Braceway to keep public attention focused on the tragedy after a flawless case against the real murderer had been established.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading Practically every other detective and police official in the country was wondering what secret motive had impelled Braceway to keep public attention focused on the tragedy after a flawless case against the real murderer had been established.
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading What, then, they asked, was the true situation back of the pursuit and persecution of the bank clerk, Henry Morley?
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading Practically every other detective and police official in the country was wondering what secret motive had impelled Braceway to keep public attention focused on the tragedy after a flawless case against the real murderer had been established.
reluctancenounUS /rɪˈlʌktəns/
(physics) opposition to magnetic flux (analogous to electric resistance)
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
ruiningnounUS /ˈruːɪnɪŋ/
destruction achieved by causing something to be wrecked or ruined
From this reading What possible interest could they have in running him down, in ruining his standing?
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading What possible interest could they have in running him down, in ruining his standing?
filled with satisfaction
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Practically every other detective and police official in the country was wondering what secret motive had impelled Braceway to keep public attention focused on the tragedy after a flawless case against the real murderer had been established.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading What, then, they asked, was the true situation back of the pursuit and persecution of the bank clerk, Henry Morley?
having a supporting base
From this reading What possible interest could they have in running him down, in ruining his standing?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading What, then, they asked, was the true situation back of the pursuit and persecution of the bank clerk, Henry Morley?
for that reason; as a result
From this reading They knew that he was in the employ of the husband and father of the murdered woman, and that, therefore, his acts had the endorsement of her family.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They knew that he was in the employ of the husband and father of the murdered woman, and that, therefore, his acts had the endorsement of her family.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A CONFESSION Bristow, satisfied now that he had fathomed Braceway's reluctance to accept as final the case against Perry Carpenter, had not been the only one mystified by the detective's course.
tragedynounUS /ˈtrædʒədi/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading Practically every other detective and police official in the country was wondering what secret motive had impelled Braceway to keep public attention focused on the tragedy after a flawless case against the real murderer had been established.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading What, then, they asked, was the true situation back of the pursuit and persecution of the bank clerk, Henry Morley?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Practically every other detective and police official in the country was wondering what secret motive had impelled Braceway to keep public attention focused on the tragedy after a flawless case against the real murderer had been established.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Practically every other detective and police official in the country was wondering what secret motive had impelled Braceway to keep public attention focused on the tragedy after a flawless case against the real murderer had been established.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading They knew that he was in the employ of the husband and father of the murdered woman, and that, therefore, his acts had the endorsement of her family.
showing curiosity
From this reading Practically every other detective and police official in the country was wondering what secret motive had impelled Braceway to keep public attention focused on the tragedy after a flawless case against the real murderer had been established.
