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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.
all
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From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
anxious
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From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.
approached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
audible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
avoid
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From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.
away
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From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.
awhile
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From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.
became
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From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
building
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.
came
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From this reading Yoletta had, however, seen me enter, for presently she came to me.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Why did you not come in to supper, Smith?" she said.
corner
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From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.
devoted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "Why did you not come in to supper, Smith?" she said.
disturbing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "And why do you look so sad?"
down
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From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.
dusky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.
enter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yoletta had, however, seen me enter, for presently she came to me.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
floating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Yoletta had, however, seen me enter, for presently she came to me.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Yoletta had, however, seen me enter, for presently she came to me.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
listening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "And why do you look so sad?"
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Yoletta had, however, seen me enter, for presently she came to me.
music
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.
night-air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Why did you not come in to supper, Smith?" she said.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
portico
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
presently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yoletta had, however, seen me enter, for presently she came to me.
sad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And why do you look so sad?"
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why did you not come in to supper, Smith?" she said.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yoletta had, however, seen me enter, for presently she came to me.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Yoletta had, however, seen me enter, for presently she came to me.
singers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.
Smith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why did you not come in to supper, Smith?" she said.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
soft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
spirit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
stole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.
strains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
supper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why did you not come in to supper, Smith?" she said.
sweet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
Why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why did you not come in to supper, Smith?" she said.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
Yoletta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yoletta had, however, seen me enter, for presently she came to me.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Why did you not come in to supper, Smith?" she said.