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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 MCGUIRE SLEEPS Never did a fox approach a lion with more discretion than Marianne approached the careless figure of McGuire.
age
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From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Obviously he expected an argument; he was leading her on.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
apparently
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From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
approach
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From this reading MCGUIRE SLEEPS Never did a fox approach a lion with more discretion than Marianne approached the careless figure of McGuire.
approached
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From this reading MCGUIRE SLEEPS Never did a fox approach a lion with more discretion than Marianne approached the careless figure of McGuire.
argumentnounUS /ˈɑːrɡjəmənt/
a reason or example used to support an idea
From this reading Obviously he expected an argument; he was leading her on.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His very attitude was a warning that her task was to be made as difficult as possible.
attitude
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From this reading His very attitude was a warning that her task was to be made as difficult as possible.
back
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From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading His very attitude was a warning that her task was to be made as difficult as possible.
blew
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From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
blue
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From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
brownish
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From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
careless
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From this reading MCGUIRE SLEEPS Never did a fox approach a lion with more discretion than Marianne approached the careless figure of McGuire.
depths
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From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading MCGUIRE SLEEPS Never did a fox approach a lion with more discretion than Marianne approached the careless figure of McGuire.
difficult
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From this reading His very attitude was a warning that her task was to be made as difficult as possible.
direction
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From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
discretion
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From this reading MCGUIRE SLEEPS Never did a fox approach a lion with more discretion than Marianne approached the careless figure of McGuire.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
not friendly or close
From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
expected
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From this reading Obviously he expected an argument; he was leading her on.
far
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From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
figure
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From this reading MCGUIRE SLEEPS Never did a fox approach a lion with more discretion than Marianne approached the careless figure of McGuire.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And just as obviously he wanted the argument merely for the sake of killing time.
fox
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From this reading MCGUIRE SLEEPS Never did a fox approach a lion with more discretion than Marianne approached the careless figure of McGuire.
gazing
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From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
head
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From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading His very attitude was a warning that her task was to be made as difficult as possible.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His very attitude was a warning that her task was to be made as difficult as possible.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
just
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From this reading And just as obviously he wanted the argument merely for the sake of killing time.
killing
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From this reading And just as obviously he wanted the argument merely for the sake of killing time.
leading
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From this reading Obviously he expected an argument; he was leading her on.
limp
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From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
lion
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From this reading MCGUIRE SLEEPS Never did a fox approach a lion with more discretion than Marianne approached the careless figure of McGuire.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His very attitude was a warning that her task was to be made as difficult as possible.
Marianne
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From this reading MCGUIRE SLEEPS Never did a fox approach a lion with more discretion than Marianne approached the careless figure of McGuire.
MCGUIRE
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From this reading MCGUIRE SLEEPS Never did a fox approach a lion with more discretion than Marianne approached the careless figure of McGuire.
merely
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From this reading And just as obviously he wanted the argument merely for the sake of killing time.
mild
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From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MCGUIRE SLEEPS Never did a fox approach a lion with more discretion than Marianne approached the careless figure of McGuire.
NevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading MCGUIRE SLEEPS Never did a fox approach a lion with more discretion than Marianne approached the careless figure of McGuire.
now
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From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
Obviously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Obviously he expected an argument; he was leading her on.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MCGUIRE SLEEPS Never did a fox approach a lion with more discretion than Marianne approached the careless figure of McGuire.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His very attitude was a warning that her task was to be made as difficult as possible.
pushed
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From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
regarded
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From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
sake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And just as obviously he wanted the argument merely for the sake of killing time.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
sky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
SLEEPS
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From this reading MCGUIRE SLEEPS Never did a fox approach a lion with more discretion than Marianne approached the careless figure of McGuire.
smoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
sombrero
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
task
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His very attitude was a warning that her task was to be made as difficult as possible.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading MCGUIRE SLEEPS Never did a fox approach a lion with more discretion than Marianne approached the careless figure of McGuire.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His very attitude was a warning that her task was to be made as difficult as possible.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MCGUIRE SLEEPS Never did a fox approach a lion with more discretion than Marianne approached the careless figure of McGuire.
thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And just as obviously he wanted the argument merely for the sake of killing time.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His very attitude was a warning that her task was to be made as difficult as possible.
vacantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
vapor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His very attitude was a warning that her task was to be made as difficult as possible.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And just as obviously he wanted the argument merely for the sake of killing time.
warning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His very attitude was a warning that her task was to be made as difficult as possible.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His very attitude was a warning that her task was to be made as difficult as possible.
wear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had pushed his sombrero, limp with age and wear, far back on his head, and now, gazing, apparently, into the distant blue depths of the sky, he regarded vacantly with mild interest and blew in the same direction a thin brownish vapor of smoke.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading MCGUIRE SLEEPS Never did a fox approach a lion with more discretion than Marianne approached the careless figure of McGuire.
