Chapter XXIII

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THE WORK OF A SECRET AGENT.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE WORK OF A SECRET AGENT.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading “It seems to be your pleasure to speak in enigmas, colonel,” said the detective.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “It seems to be your pleasure to speak in enigmas, colonel,” said the detective.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “It seems to be your pleasure to speak in enigmas, colonel,” said the detective.

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “It seems to be your pleasure to speak in enigmas, colonel,” said the detective.

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading How so, sir?” was the reply.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading “It seems to be your pleasure to speak in enigmas, colonel,” said the detective.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “It seems to be your pleasure to speak in enigmas, colonel,” said the detective.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE WORK OF A SECRET AGENT.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “It seems to be your pleasure to speak in enigmas, colonel,” said the detective.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading How so, sir?” was the reply.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “It seems to be your pleasure to speak in enigmas, colonel,” said the detective.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading THE WORK OF A SECRET AGENT.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “It seems to be your pleasure to speak in enigmas, colonel,” said the detective.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading How so, sir?” was the reply.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading How so, sir?” was the reply.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “It seems to be your pleasure to speak in enigmas, colonel,” said the detective.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE WORK OF A SECRET AGENT.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading “It seems to be your pleasure to speak in enigmas, colonel,” said the detective.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading How so, sir?” was the reply.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE WORK OF A SECRET AGENT.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “It seems to be your pleasure to speak in enigmas, colonel,” said the detective.