51 words to know before reading The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes

1. A bright, strong flame or fire.
2. A mark made on a tree to indicate a trail.

Silver Blaze “I am afraid, Watson, that I shall have to go,” said Holmes, as we sat down together to our

1. A surname of English origin, famously associated with Sherlock Holmes, a fictional detective.
2. Slang term for a detective or investigator, inspired by Sherlock Holmes.

Silver Blaze “I am afraid, Watson, that I shall have to go,” said Holmes, as we sat down together to our breakfast one morning. “Go! Where to?” “To Dartmoor; to King’s

1. Grass and the surface layer of soil held together by its roots.
2. A territory or area controlled by a person or group.

Simpson. He was a man of excellent birth and education, who had squandered a fortune upon the turf, and who lived now by doing a little quiet and genteel book-making in the sporting clubs of

1. Informal term for young men or boys.
2. A group of male friends or companions.

stupor, the favorite’s stall was empty, and there were no signs of his trainer. “The two lads who slept in the chaff-cutting loft above the harness-room were quickly aroused. They had heard

1. An area of open, uncultivated land, often with poor drainage and covered with heather or grass.
2. To secure a boat or ship by attaching it to a fixed object with ropes or anchors.

it. “ ‘Can you tell me where I am?’ he asked. ‘I had almost made up my mind to sleep on the moor, when I saw the light of your lantern.’ “ ‘You are close to the King’s Pyland training-stables,’

1. A traditionally nomadic ethnic group with origins in South Asia, now spread worldwide.
2. (Sometimes offensive) A term for Romani people or those perceived as living a nomadic lifestyle.

that morning he has disappeared, and although a large reward has been offered, and all the gypsies of Dartmoor are on the alert, no news has come of him. Finally, an analysis has shown that the

1. A fictional detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
2. The main character in the "Sherlock Holmes" series.

“The dog did nothing in the nighttime.” “That was the curious incident,” remarked Sherlock Holmes. Four days later Holmes and I were again in the train, bound for Winchester to see the

1. A package or bundle of items wrapped for transport or delivery.
2. A portion or piece of land, often part of a larger property.

blue eyes. “I am convinced, sir,” she said, “that this matter is a mistake, and that the parcel was never meant for me at all. I have said this several times to the gentlemen from Scotland

1. A person responsible for managing or overseeing something, such as property or an event.
2. A flight attendant on an aircraft.

how the mistake had occurred and for whom the packet was meant. Then we heard of this steward, married to the third sister, and learned that he had at one time been so intimate with Miss

1. People who work on ships or boats, especially as crew members.
2. Members of a navy, typically enlisted personnel.

in our investigation. When I observed that the knot was one which is popular with sailors, that the parcel had been posted at a port, and that the male ear was pierced for an earring

1. A slight obscuration of the atmosphere caused by fine particles, dust, or smoke.
2. A state of confusion or vagueness in thought or perception.

on the water. “ ‘It was just as if they had been given into my hands. There was a bit of a haze, and you could not see more than a few hundred yards. I hired a boat for myself, and I pulled

1. A fossilized tree resin, often yellow to brown in color, used in jewelry.
2. A yellowish-orange color resembling the resin.

way, but not as a constancy. This has always been held so. Then he has bitten through his amber. It takes a muscular, energetic fellow, and one with a good set of teeth, to do that. But if I am

1. A small, simple house, typically in a rural or semi-rural area.
2. A vacation home, often in a scenic location.

So disturbed was I that I determined to see a little more of the new inmates of the cottage. I approached and knocked at the door, which was instantly opened by a tall, gaunt woman with a

1. Extremely angry or furious.
2. Discolored, often bluish or purple, as from a bruise.

had been too far from me for that. But its color was what had impressed me most. It was of a livid dead yellow, and with something set and rigid about it which was shockingly unnatural. So

1. A loose sleeveless cloak or shawl.
2. The layer of the Earth between the crust and the core.

was deadly pale and breathing fast, glancing furtively towards the bed as she fastened her mantle, to see if she had disturbed me. Then, thinking that I was still asleep, she slipped noiselessly

1. A female domestic servant who cleans and maintains a household.
2. A young unmarried woman (archaic or poetic).

in the stables, and it was the rule that the lad on duty should drink nothing else. The maid carried a lantern with her, as it was very dark and the path ran across the open moor. “Edith

1. A person employed to keep records or accounts in an office.
2. A sales assistant in a store.

The Stockbroker’s Clerk Shortly after my marriage I had bought a connection in the Paddington district. Old Mr. Farquhar,

1. Employees who perform administrative or office tasks.
2. Officials who maintain records in a court or government office.

of the position of the strong room and the safes. “It is customary at Mawson’s for the clerks to leave at midday on Saturday. Sergeant Tuson, of the City Police, was somewhat surprised,

1. A given name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France."
2. A former monetary unit of France and other countries, replaced by the euro.

all.’ “ ‘Not go to Mawson’s?’ “ ‘No, sir. By that day you will be the business manager of the Franco-Midland Hardware Company, Limited, with a hundred and thirty-four branches in the towns and

1. The reflexive form of "we," referring to the speaker and others.
2. Used for emphasis to indicate "we" and no one else.

fact—from the embellishments of theorists and reporters. Then, having established ourselves upon this sound basis, it is our duty to see what inferences may be drawn and what are the

1. A term used to refer to a woman, often informally or derogatorily.
2. In gambling slang, a term for a female.

we believe, has been now told to receive all orders for fly-paper and for preservation of your hen-pheasant’s life.’ “I dare say my face looked as bewildered as yours did just now when first I

1. A long-tailed game bird, often brightly colored, native to Asia and Europe.
2. Any of various related birds hunted for sport or food.

a rambling old place, and takes a good deal of looking after. I preserve, too, and in the pheasant months I usually have a house-party, so that it would not do to be short-handed. Altogether there

1. A person who works on a ship or boat.
2. Someone skilled in navigating or operating vessels.

seen. He was good company, I won’t deny it, and he had wonderful polite ways with him for a sailor man, so that I think there must have been a time when he knew more of the poop than the

1. A clergy member who provides spiritual guidance in institutions like hospitals or the military.
2. A religious leader attached to a private chapel, institution, or family.

of the ship. The crew were a set of ruffians, specially picked for the job. The sham chaplain came into our cells to exhort us, carrying a black bag, supposed to be full of tracts, and so

1. Prison guards or officials in charge of inmates.
2. Guardians or protectors of a place or people.

of a crew, eighteen soldiers, a captain, three mates, a doctor, a chaplain, and four warders. Nearly a hundred souls were in her, all told, when we set sail from Falmouth. “ ‘The partitions

1. Being the only one of its kind; unique.
2. (Grammar) Referring to a form representing one person or thing.

problem before the public which could challenge his powers of analysis, and that was the singular disappearance of the favorite for the Wessex Cup, and the tragic murder of its trainer. When,

1. A small pin or bolt used to fasten or secure things.
2. A hook or knob for hanging items.

there was no real difficulty. I went with Musgrave to his study and whittled myself this peg, to which I tied this long string with a knot at each yard. Then I took two lengths of a

1. Used to emphasize a statement or response.
2. Truly or certainly (often expressing agreement).

“I have examined the ground very carefully for a hundred yards in each direction.” “Indeed!” said Holmes, rising. “I should not have the impertinence to do it again after what you say. But

1. Loss of respect or honor; shame.
2. A person or thing that brings shame.

at Hurlstone; but a second one came to drive it from our minds, and it was prefaced by the disgrace and dismissal of butler Brunton. “ ‘This was how it came about. I have said that the man was

1. A type of deciduous tree with serrated leaves.
2. The wood from an elm tree, used in furniture.

my client led me away at once, without our entering the house, to the scar on the lawn where the elm had stood. It was nearly midway between the oak and the house. My investigation seemed to be

1. A padded jacket worn under armor for protection.
2. A small town in England, located in Warwickshire.

He was accompanied by a little elderly gentleman, who was introduced to me as the Mr. Acton whose house had been the scene of the original burglary. “I wished Mr. Acton to be present while

1. The illegal entry into a building with intent to commit theft or other crimes.
2. The crime of breaking and entering a property to steal or commit a felony.

crime. To get at this, I endeavored first of all to solve the reason of the original burglary at Mr. Acton’s. I understood, from something which the Colonel told us, that a lawsuit had been

1. A person who illegally enters a building to steal.
2. Someone who commits burglary (theft by breaking in).

coachman. Shot through the heart, sir, and never spoke again.” “Who shot him, then?” “The burglar, sir. He was off like a shot and got clean away. He’d just broke in at the pantry window when

1. Worthy of attention; striking or unusual.
2. Exceptionally good or impressive.

The Cardboard Box In choosing a few typical cases which illustrate the remarkable mental qualities of my friend, Sherlock Holmes, I have endeavoured, as far as possible, to select

1. A woman in a position of authority or control.
2. A woman having an extramarital sexual relationship with a married man.

As I entered the house the maid ran into the hall with a startled face. “ ‘Where is your mistress?’ I asked. “ ‘I think that she has gone out for a walk,’ she answered. “My mind was instantly

1. An angry argument or disagreement.
2. A short, heavy arrow used with a crossbow.

except just the warders, the mates, and the doctor. “ ‘It was over them that the great quarrel arose. There were many of us who were glad enough to win back our freedom, and yet who had no

1. A piece of fabric hung to cover a window or divide a room.
2. A barrier or screen used in theaters to conceal the stage.

the key into my pocket, and dropped my stick while I was chasing Teddy, who had run up the curtain. When I got him into his box, from which he had slipped, I was off as fast as I could run.”

1. A small stream or creek.
2. To tolerate or endure something (usually negative).

More in your brains than in your pocket, eh? What would you say if I were to start you in Brook Street?’ “I stared at him in astonishment. “ ‘Oh, it’s for my sake, not for yours,’ he cried.

1. Providing expert advice or services in a specific field.
2. The business of offering professional guidance to organizations or individuals.

maids, and run the whole place. All you have to do is just to wear out your chair in the consulting-room. I’ll let you have pocket-money and everything. Then you hand over to me three quarters of

1. A meeting to seek advice or information from an expert.
2. The act of discussing something before making a decision.

was out on each occasion. Their reason for choosing so unusual an hour for a consultation was obviously to insure that there should be no other patient in the waiting-room. It just

1. A heavy cloth draped over a coffin (noun).
2. A dark cloud or covering of smoke, dust, etc. (noun).

blue curtain was drawn across the glass work in front. It was a quarter-past seven when we left Pall Mall, and my watch showed me that it was ten minutes to nine when we at last came to a

1. A dark discoloration or pigmentation of the skin.
2. A genus of moths in the family Noctuidae.

with paper so as to prevent my seeing through them. “ ‘I am sorry to cut off your view, Mr. Melas,’ said he. ‘The fact is that I have no intention that you should see what the place is to which

1. A soft mixture of lime, sand, and water used for coating walls and ceilings.
2. A medical dressing applied to protect or support an injured body part.

fashion, was a tall man in the last stage of emaciation, with several strips of sticking-plaster arranged in a grotesque pattern over his face. He had ceased to moan as we laid him down, and a

1. The reflexive form of "you," referring to the person being addressed.
2. Used to emphasize the subject "you."

Simpson’s shoes, and a cast horseshoe of Silver Blaze.” “My dear Inspector, you surpass yourself!” Holmes took the bag, and, descending into the hollow, he pushed the matting into a more central

1. Greatest or highest in degree, extent, or amount.
2. Of the highest or most extreme kind.

the fact. A very brief analysis of these four words would enable you to say with the utmost confidence that the ‘learn’ and the ‘maybe’ are written in the stronger hand, and the ‘what’ in

1. A long passage in a building with doors leading to rooms on either side.
2. A narrow strip of land connecting two larger areas.

“It is absolutely impossible. A rat could not conceal himself either in the room or the corridor. There is no cover at all.” “Thank you. Pray proceed.” “The commissionnaire, seeing by my pale

1. Past tense of "fling" – threw or tossed something forcefully.
2. Moved or pushed suddenly and violently.

again into a shrill whine. It was locked, but the key had been left on the outside. Holmes flung open the door and rushed in, but he was out again in an instant, with his hand to his throat.

1. Suitcases, bags, or other containers used to carry personal belongings while traveling.
2. The collective term for a traveler's packed items.

away again without so much as a look in my direction. So far all had gone admirably. My luggage was waiting for me, and I had no difficulty in finding the carriage which Holmes had indicated,

1. A type of horse-drawn carriage with two wheels and a covered passenger compartment.
2. Named after its designer, Joseph Hansom.

said he. “When your round is a short one you walk, and when it is a long one you use a hansom. As I perceive that your boots, although used, are by no means dirty, I cannot doubt that you are

1. Having an excessively high opinion of one's appearance or abilities (conceited).
2. Producing no result; useless (futile).

fallen on the night before and we examined the lawn and the paths all round the house, but in vain. Matters were in this state, when a new development quite drew our attention away from the

1. Relating to high mountains, especially the Alps.
2. Characterized by or resembling the Alps or other high mountains.

after all have a last word of greeting from my friend and comrade. I have said that his Alpine-stock had been left leaning against a rock which jutted on to the path. From the top of this