used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Before Fanks finally dismissed the matter of that futile chase he asked a question of his friend the constable.
accusingadjectiveUS /əˈkjuːzɪŋ/
containing or expressing accusation
From this reading I thought so," meditated Fanks, as he ascended the stairs, "the accusing friend was a myth.
(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 "No, Mr. Fanks," said the other, promptly, "she was all alone."
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading "No, Mr. Fanks," said the other, promptly, "she was all alone."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I thought so," meditated Fanks, as he ascended the stairs, "the accusing friend was a myth.
ascendedverbUS /əˈsendɪd/
past form of “ascend” — travel up
From this reading I thought so," meditated Fanks, as he ascended the stairs, "the accusing friend was a myth.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Before Fanks finally dismissed the matter of that futile chase he asked a question of his friend the constable.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before Fanks finally dismissed the matter of that futile chase he asked a question of his friend the constable.
go after with the intent to catch
From this reading Before Fanks finally dismissed the matter of that futile chase he asked a question of his friend the constable.
constablenounUS /ˈkɑːnstəbəl/
a lawman with less authority and jurisdiction than a sheriff
From this reading Before Fanks finally dismissed the matter of that futile chase he asked a question of his friend the constable.
Didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "Did you notice," said he, "if that young lady had a friend with her?"
dismissedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsmɪst/
having lost your job
From this reading Before Fanks finally dismissed the matter of that futile chase he asked a question of his friend the constable.
Fanks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before Fanks finally dismissed the matter of that futile chase he asked a question of his friend the constable.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading Before Fanks finally dismissed the matter of that futile chase he asked a question of his friend the constable.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Before Fanks finally dismissed the matter of that futile chase he asked a question of his friend the constable.
futileadjectiveUS /ˈfjuːtəl/
producing no result or effect
From this reading Before Fanks finally dismissed the matter of that futile chase he asked a question of his friend the constable.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "Did you notice," said he, "if that young lady had a friend with her?"
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Before Fanks finally dismissed the matter of that futile chase he asked a question of his friend the constable.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Did you notice," said he, "if that young lady had a friend with her?"
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Before Fanks finally dismissed the matter of that futile chase he asked a question of his friend the constable.
Humph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Humph!
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I thought so," meditated Fanks, as he ascended the stairs, "the accusing friend was a myth.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Did you notice," said he, "if that young lady had a friend with her?"
a polite name for any woman
From this reading "Did you notice," said he, "if that young lady had a friend with her?"
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Before Fanks finally dismissed the matter of that futile chase he asked a question of his friend the constable.
meditated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I thought so," meditated Fanks, as he ascended the stairs, "the accusing friend was a myth.
a form of address for a man
From this reading "No, Mr. Fanks," said the other, promptly, "she was all alone."
mythnounUS /mɪθ/
a traditional story accepted as history; serves to explain the world view of a people
From this reading I thought so," meditated Fanks, as he ascended the stairs, "the accusing friend was a myth.
not any; not one
From this reading "No, Mr. Fanks," said the other, promptly, "she was all alone."
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading "Did you notice," said he, "if that young lady had a friend with her?"
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Before Fanks finally dismissed the matter of that futile chase he asked a question of his friend the constable.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading "No, Mr. Fanks," said the other, promptly, "she was all alone."
with little or no delay
From this reading "No, Mr. Fanks," said the other, promptly, "she was all alone."
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Before Fanks finally dismissed the matter of that futile chase he asked a question of his friend the constable.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Did you notice," said he, "if that young lady had a friend with her?"
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "No, Mr. Fanks," said the other, promptly, "she was all alone."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I thought so," meditated Fanks, as he ascended the stairs, "the accusing friend was a myth.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading I thought so," meditated Fanks, as he ascended the stairs, "the accusing friend was a myth.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Before Fanks finally dismissed the matter of that futile chase he asked a question of his friend the constable.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Before Fanks finally dismissed the matter of that futile chase he asked a question of his friend the constable.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading I thought so," meditated Fanks, as he ascended the stairs, "the accusing friend was a myth.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "No, Mr. Fanks," said the other, promptly, "she was all alone."
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Did you notice," said he, "if that young lady had a friend with her?"
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Did you notice," said he, "if that young lady had a friend with her?"
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading "Did you notice," said he, "if that young lady had a friend with her?"
