adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I stopped with a gasp, hardly able to meet the stern and forbidding look with which the inspector sought to restrain what he evidently considered the senseless ravings of a child.
ableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪbəl/
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading I stopped with a gasp, hardly able to meet the stern and forbidding look with which the inspector sought to restrain what he evidently considered the senseless ravings of a child.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Perhaps I am the only person who can satisfy you in regard to a certain fact about which you have expressed some curiosity.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading Perhaps I am the only person who can satisfy you in regard to a certain fact about which you have expressed some curiosity.
amongstprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋst/
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading Inspector, have you ever solved the mystery of the two broken coffee-cups found amongst the debris at Mrs. Fairbrother’s feet?
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I stopped with a gasp, hardly able to meet the stern and forbidding look with which the inspector sought to restrain what he evidently considered the senseless ravings of a child.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Inspector, have you ever solved the mystery of the two broken coffee-cups found amongst the debris at Mrs. Fairbrother’s feet?
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But I had come there to speak, and I hastily proceeded before the rebuke thus expressed could formulate itself into words.
brokenadjectiveUS /ˈbroʊkən/
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading Inspector, have you ever solved the mystery of the two broken coffee-cups found amongst the debris at Mrs. Fairbrother’s feet?
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But I had come there to speak, and I hastily proceeded before the rebuke thus expressed could formulate itself into words.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Perhaps I am the only person who can satisfy you in regard to a certain fact about which you have expressed some curiosity.
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Perhaps I am the only person who can satisfy you in regard to a certain fact about which you have expressed some curiosity.
childnounUS /tʃaɪld/
a young person of either sex
From this reading I stopped with a gasp, hardly able to meet the stern and forbidding look with which the inspector sought to restrain what he evidently considered the senseless ravings of a child.
coffee-cups
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Inspector, have you ever solved the mystery of the two broken coffee-cups found amongst the debris at Mrs. Fairbrother’s feet?
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But I had come there to speak, and I hastily proceeded before the rebuke thus expressed could formulate itself into words.
consideredadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərd/
carefully weighed
From this reading I stopped with a gasp, hardly able to meet the stern and forbidding look with which the inspector sought to restrain what he evidently considered the senseless ravings of a child.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But I had come there to speak, and I hastily proceeded before the rebuke thus expressed could formulate itself into words.
curiositynounUS /ˌkjʊriˈɑːsəti/
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading Perhaps I am the only person who can satisfy you in regard to a certain fact about which you have expressed some curiosity.
debrisnounUS /dəˈbriː/
the remains of something that has been destroyed or broken up
From this reading Inspector, have you ever solved the mystery of the two broken coffee-cups found amongst the debris at Mrs. Fairbrother’s feet?
declarationnounUS /ˌdeklərˈeɪʃən/
a statement that is emphatic and explicit (spoken or written)
From this reading “I have some excuse for a declaration so monstrous.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading Inspector, have you ever solved the mystery of the two broken coffee-cups found amongst the debris at Mrs. Fairbrother’s feet?
evidentlyadverbUS /ˈevədəntli/
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading I stopped with a gasp, hardly able to meet the stern and forbidding look with which the inspector sought to restrain what he evidently considered the senseless ravings of a child.
excuseverbUS /ɪksˈkjuːs/
accept an excuse for
From this reading “I have some excuse for a declaration so monstrous.
expressedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsprest/
communicated in words
From this reading But I had come there to speak, and I hastily proceeded before the rebuke thus expressed could formulate itself into words.
factnounUS /fækt/
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Perhaps I am the only person who can satisfy you in regard to a certain fact about which you have expressed some curiosity.
Fairbrother's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Inspector, have you ever solved the mystery of the two broken coffee-cups found amongst the debris at Mrs. Fairbrother’s feet?
feetnounUS /fiːt/
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Inspector, have you ever solved the mystery of the two broken coffee-cups found amongst the debris at Mrs. Fairbrother’s feet?
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “I have some excuse for a declaration so monstrous.
forbiddingadjectiveUS /fərˈbɪdɪŋ/
harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance
From this reading I stopped with a gasp, hardly able to meet the stern and forbidding look with which the inspector sought to restrain what he evidently considered the senseless ravings of a child.
formulateverbUS /ˈfɔːrmjəleɪt/
elaborate, as of theories and hypotheses
From this reading But I had come there to speak, and I hastily proceeded before the rebuke thus expressed could formulate itself into words.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading Inspector, have you ever solved the mystery of the two broken coffee-cups found amongst the debris at Mrs. Fairbrother’s feet?
gaspnounUS /ɡæsp/
a short labored intake of breath with the mouth open
From this reading I stopped with a gasp, hardly able to meet the stern and forbidding look with which the inspector sought to restrain what he evidently considered the senseless ravings of a child.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But I had come there to speak, and I hastily proceeded before the rebuke thus expressed could formulate itself into words.
hardlyadverbUS /ˈhɑːrdli/
only a very short time before
From this reading I stopped with a gasp, hardly able to meet the stern and forbidding look with which the inspector sought to restrain what he evidently considered the senseless ravings of a child.
hastilyadverbUS /ˈheɪstəli/
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading But I had come there to speak, and I hastily proceeded before the rebuke thus expressed could formulate itself into words.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “I have some excuse for a declaration so monstrous.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I stopped with a gasp, hardly able to meet the stern and forbidding look with which the inspector sought to restrain what he evidently considered the senseless ravings of a child.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I stopped with a gasp, hardly able to meet the stern and forbidding look with which the inspector sought to restrain what he evidently considered the senseless ravings of a child.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Perhaps I am the only person who can satisfy you in regard to a certain fact about which you have expressed some curiosity.
inspectornounUS /ˌɪnˈspektər/
a high ranking police officer
From this reading I stopped with a gasp, hardly able to meet the stern and forbidding look with which the inspector sought to restrain what he evidently considered the senseless ravings of a child.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But I had come there to speak, and I hastily proceeded before the rebuke thus expressed could formulate itself into words.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading But I had come there to speak, and I hastily proceeded before the rebuke thus expressed could formulate itself into words.
lookverbUS /lʊk/
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading I stopped with a gasp, hardly able to meet the stern and forbidding look with which the inspector sought to restrain what he evidently considered the senseless ravings of a child.
meetverbUS /miːt/
come together
From this reading I stopped with a gasp, hardly able to meet the stern and forbidding look with which the inspector sought to restrain what he evidently considered the senseless ravings of a child.
monstrousadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːnstrəs/
abnormally large
From this reading “I have some excuse for a declaration so monstrous.
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Inspector, have you ever solved the mystery of the two broken coffee-cups found amongst the debris at Mrs. Fairbrother’s feet?
mysterynounUS /ˈmɪstəri/
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading Inspector, have you ever solved the mystery of the two broken coffee-cups found amongst the debris at Mrs. Fairbrother’s feet?
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I stopped with a gasp, hardly able to meet the stern and forbidding look with which the inspector sought to restrain what he evidently considered the senseless ravings of a child.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Perhaps I am the only person who can satisfy you in regard to a certain fact about which you have expressed some curiosity.
PerhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading Perhaps I am the only person who can satisfy you in regard to a certain fact about which you have expressed some curiosity.
personnounUS /ˈpɜːrsən/
a human being
From this reading Perhaps I am the only person who can satisfy you in regard to a certain fact about which you have expressed some curiosity.
proceededverbUS /prəˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading But I had come there to speak, and I hastily proceeded before the rebuke thus expressed could formulate itself into words.
ravings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I stopped with a gasp, hardly able to meet the stern and forbidding look with which the inspector sought to restrain what he evidently considered the senseless ravings of a child.
rebukeverbUS /riˈbjuːk/
censure severely or angrily
From this reading But I had come there to speak, and I hastily proceeded before the rebuke thus expressed could formulate itself into words.
regardnounUS /rɪˈɡɑːrd/
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading Perhaps I am the only person who can satisfy you in regard to a certain fact about which you have expressed some curiosity.
restrainverbUS /riˈstreɪn/
to close within bounds, or otherwise limit or deprive of free movement
From this reading I stopped with a gasp, hardly able to meet the stern and forbidding look with which the inspector sought to restrain what he evidently considered the senseless ravings of a child.
satisfyverbUS /ˈsætəsfaɪ/
meet the requirements or expectations of
From this reading Perhaps I am the only person who can satisfy you in regard to a certain fact about which you have expressed some curiosity.
senselessadjectiveUS /ˈsensləs/
not marked by the use of reason
From this reading I stopped with a gasp, hardly able to meet the stern and forbidding look with which the inspector sought to restrain what he evidently considered the senseless ravings of a child.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “I have some excuse for a declaration so monstrous.
solvedadjectiveUS /sɑːlvd/
explained or answered
From this reading Inspector, have you ever solved the mystery of the two broken coffee-cups found amongst the debris at Mrs. Fairbrother’s feet?
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading “I have some excuse for a declaration so monstrous.
soughtadjectiveUS /sɔːt/
that is looked for
From this reading I stopped with a gasp, hardly able to meet the stern and forbidding look with which the inspector sought to restrain what he evidently considered the senseless ravings of a child.
speakverbUS /spiːk/
express in speech
From this reading But I had come there to speak, and I hastily proceeded before the rebuke thus expressed could formulate itself into words.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading I stopped with a gasp, hardly able to meet the stern and forbidding look with which the inspector sought to restrain what he evidently considered the senseless ravings of a child.
stoppedadjectiveUS /stɑːpt/
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading I stopped with a gasp, hardly able to meet the stern and forbidding look with which the inspector sought to restrain what he evidently considered the senseless ravings of a child.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I stopped with a gasp, hardly able to meet the stern and forbidding look with which the inspector sought to restrain what he evidently considered the senseless ravings of a child.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading But I had come there to speak, and I hastily proceeded before the rebuke thus expressed could formulate itself into words.
thusadverbUS /ðʌs/
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading But I had come there to speak, and I hastily proceeded before the rebuke thus expressed could formulate itself into words.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I stopped with a gasp, hardly able to meet the stern and forbidding look with which the inspector sought to restrain what he evidently considered the senseless ravings of a child.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Inspector, have you ever solved the mystery of the two broken coffee-cups found amongst the debris at Mrs. Fairbrother’s feet?
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I stopped with a gasp, hardly able to meet the stern and forbidding look with which the inspector sought to restrain what he evidently considered the senseless ravings of a child.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I stopped with a gasp, hardly able to meet the stern and forbidding look with which the inspector sought to restrain what he evidently considered the senseless ravings of a child.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Perhaps I am the only person who can satisfy you in regard to a certain fact about which you have expressed some curiosity.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I stopped with a gasp, hardly able to meet the stern and forbidding look with which the inspector sought to restrain what he evidently considered the senseless ravings of a child.
wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/
the words that are spoken
From this reading But I had come there to speak, and I hastily proceeded before the rebuke thus expressed could formulate itself into words.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Perhaps I am the only person who can satisfy you in regard to a certain fact about which you have expressed some curiosity.
