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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 She has put on what she fondly hopes is a particularly gracious air, but which is in reality a palpable mixture of fear and uncertainty.
air
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From this reading She has put on what she fondly hopes is a particularly gracious air, but which is in reality a palpable mixture of fear and uncertainty.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
black
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From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She has put on what she fondly hopes is a particularly gracious air, but which is in reality a palpable mixture of fear and uncertainty.
BYRON
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From this reading "Ye scenes of my childhood, whose loved recollection Embitters the present, compared with the past."--BYRON.
carriage
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From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
chair
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From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
Chetwoode
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From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
childhood
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From this reading "Ye scenes of my childhood, whose loved recollection Embitters the present, compared with the past."--BYRON.
compared
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From this reading "Ye scenes of my childhood, whose loved recollection Embitters the present, compared with the past."--BYRON.
Cyril's
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From this reading She hears Cyril's voice in the hall inquiring where his mother is, and, rising to her feet, she makes ready to receive her new ward.
door
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From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
down
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From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
draw
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From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
drawing-room
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From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
Embitters
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From this reading "Ye scenes of my childhood, whose loved recollection Embitters the present, compared with the past."--BYRON.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The door opens; there is a slight pause; and then Lilian, slight, and fair, and pretty, stands upon the threshold.
fear
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From this reading She has put on what she fondly hopes is a particularly gracious air, but which is in reality a palpable mixture of fear and uncertainty.
feet
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From this reading She hears Cyril's voice in the hall inquiring where his mother is, and, rising to her feet, she makes ready to receive her new ward.
fingers
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From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
folds
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From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
fondly
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From this reading She has put on what she fondly hopes is a particularly gracious air, but which is in reality a palpable mixture of fear and uncertainty.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
gown
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From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
gracious
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From this reading She has put on what she fondly hopes is a particularly gracious air, but which is in reality a palpable mixture of fear and uncertainty.
hall
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From this reading She hears Cyril's voice in the hall inquiring where his mother is, and, rising to her feet, she makes ready to receive her new ward.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She has put on what she fondly hopes is a particularly gracious air, but which is in reality a palpable mixture of fear and uncertainty.
hears
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From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She hears Cyril's voice in the hall inquiring where his mother is, and, rising to her feet, she makes ready to receive her new ward.
hopes
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From this reading She has put on what she fondly hopes is a particularly gracious air, but which is in reality a palpable mixture of fear and uncertainty.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
inquiring
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From this reading She hears Cyril's voice in the hall inquiring where his mother is, and, rising to her feet, she makes ready to receive her new ward.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
Lady
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From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
Lilian
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From this reading The door opens; there is a slight pause; and then Lilian, slight, and fair, and pretty, stands upon the threshold.
loved
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From this reading "Ye scenes of my childhood, whose loved recollection Embitters the present, compared with the past."--BYRON.
makes
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From this reading She hears Cyril's voice in the hall inquiring where his mother is, and, rising to her feet, she makes ready to receive her new ward.
mixture
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From this reading She has put on what she fondly hopes is a particularly gracious air, but which is in reality a palpable mixture of fear and uncertainty.
mother
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From this reading She hears Cyril's voice in the hall inquiring where his mother is, and, rising to her feet, she makes ready to receive her new ward.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Ye scenes of my childhood, whose loved recollection Embitters the present, compared with the past."--BYRON.
nervous
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From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
new
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From this reading She hears Cyril's voice in the hall inquiring where his mother is, and, rising to her feet, she makes ready to receive her new ward.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Ye scenes of my childhood, whose loved recollection Embitters the present, compared with the past."--BYRON.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She has put on what she fondly hopes is a particularly gracious air, but which is in reality a palpable mixture of fear and uncertainty.
opens
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From this reading The door opens; there is a slight pause; and then Lilian, slight, and fair, and pretty, stands upon the threshold.
palpable
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From this reading She has put on what she fondly hopes is a particularly gracious air, but which is in reality a palpable mixture of fear and uncertainty.
particularly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She has put on what she fondly hopes is a particularly gracious air, but which is in reality a palpable mixture of fear and uncertainty.
past
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From this reading "Ye scenes of my childhood, whose loved recollection Embitters the present, compared with the past."--BYRON.
pause
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From this reading The door opens; there is a slight pause; and then Lilian, slight, and fair, and pretty, stands upon the threshold.
prepares
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From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
present
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From this reading "Ye scenes of my childhood, whose loved recollection Embitters the present, compared with the past."--BYRON.
pretty
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From this reading The door opens; there is a slight pause; and then Lilian, slight, and fair, and pretty, stands upon the threshold.
put
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From this reading She has put on what she fondly hopes is a particularly gracious air, but which is in reality a palpable mixture of fear and uncertainty.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
ready
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She hears Cyril's voice in the hall inquiring where his mother is, and, rising to her feet, she makes ready to receive her new ward.
reality
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From this reading She has put on what she fondly hopes is a particularly gracious air, but which is in reality a palpable mixture of fear and uncertainty.
receive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She hears Cyril's voice in the hall inquiring where his mother is, and, rising to her feet, she makes ready to receive her new ward.
recollection
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From this reading "Ye scenes of my childhood, whose loved recollection Embitters the present, compared with the past."--BYRON.
rising
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From this reading She hears Cyril's voice in the hall inquiring where his mother is, and, rising to her feet, she makes ready to receive her new ward.
scenes
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From this reading "Ye scenes of my childhood, whose loved recollection Embitters the present, compared with the past."--BYRON.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
sitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
slight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door opens; there is a slight pause; and then Lilian, slight, and fair, and pretty, stands upon the threshold.
smoothes
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From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
stands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door opens; there is a slight pause; and then Lilian, slight, and fair, and pretty, stands upon the threshold.
straightens
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From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Ye scenes of my childhood, whose loved recollection Embitters the present, compared with the past."--BYRON.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door opens; there is a slight pause; and then Lilian, slight, and fair, and pretty, stands upon the threshold.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door opens; there is a slight pause; and then Lilian, slight, and fair, and pretty, stands upon the threshold.
threshold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door opens; there is a slight pause; and then Lilian, slight, and fair, and pretty, stands upon the threshold.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
uncertainty
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From this reading She has put on what she fondly hopes is a particularly gracious air, but which is in reality a palpable mixture of fear and uncertainty.
unpleasant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The door opens; there is a slight pause; and then Lilian, slight, and fair, and pretty, stands upon the threshold.
velvet
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From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She hears Cyril's voice in the hall inquiring where his mother is, and, rising to her feet, she makes ready to receive her new ward.
ward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She hears Cyril's voice in the hall inquiring where his mother is, and, rising to her feet, she makes ready to receive her new ward.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She has put on what she fondly hopes is a particularly gracious air, but which is in reality a palpable mixture of fear and uncertainty.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading She hears Cyril's voice in the hall inquiring where his mother is, and, rising to her feet, she makes ready to receive her new ward.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She has put on what she fondly hopes is a particularly gracious air, but which is in reality a palpable mixture of fear and uncertainty.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading When Lady Chetwoode, who is sitting in the drawing-room, hears the carriage draw up to the door, she straightens herself in her chair, smoothes down the folds of her black velvet gown with rather nervous fingers, and prepares for an unpleasant surprise.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading "Ye scenes of my childhood, whose loved recollection Embitters the present, compared with the past."--BYRON.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Ye scenes of my childhood, whose loved recollection Embitters the present, compared with the past."--BYRON.
YepronounUS /jiː/
an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person
From this reading "Ye scenes of my childhood, whose loved recollection Embitters the present, compared with the past."--BYRON.
