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according
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From this reading From time to time they gazed furtively at each other, and according to the susceptibility of their temperaments, were more or less disturbed by the strangeness of the scene.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
ARRIVAL
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From this reading ARRIVAL OF UNEXPECTED GUESTS.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading From time to time they gazed furtively at each other, and according to the susceptibility of their temperaments, were more or less disturbed by the strangeness of the scene.
attendants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading From time to time they gazed furtively at each other, and according to the susceptibility of their temperaments, were more or less disturbed by the strangeness of the scene.
ceremony
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From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
chairs
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From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
deadnounUS /dead/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was something so ghostlike in this silent dinner, that when the attendants moved they stepped lightly, as though they were fearful of raising the dead.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
difficult
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From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
dinner
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From this reading There was something so ghostlike in this silent dinner, that when the attendants moved they stepped lightly, as though they were fearful of raising the dead.
dismayed
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From this reading The only persons who were not dismayed at the sight of the empty chairs were Mr. Weston, Mr. Steele, and the proprietor of the Silver Flagon.
disturbed
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From this reading From time to time they gazed furtively at each other, and according to the susceptibility of their temperaments, were more or less disturbed by the strangeness of the scene.
duties
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From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading From time to time they gazed furtively at each other, and according to the susceptibility of their temperaments, were more or less disturbed by the strangeness of the scene.
empty
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From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
engaged
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From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
exacting
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From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
expected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
fearful
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From this reading There was something so ghostlike in this silent dinner, that when the attendants moved they stepped lightly, as though they were fearful of raising the dead.
Flagon
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From this reading The only persons who were not dismayed at the sight of the empty chairs were Mr. Weston, Mr. Steele, and the proprietor of the Silver Flagon.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
furtively
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From this reading From time to time they gazed furtively at each other, and according to the susceptibility of their temperaments, were more or less disturbed by the strangeness of the scene.
gazed
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From this reading From time to time they gazed furtively at each other, and according to the susceptibility of their temperaments, were more or less disturbed by the strangeness of the scene.
ghostlike
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From this reading There was something so ghostlike in this silent dinner, that when the attendants moved they stepped lightly, as though they were fearful of raising the dead.
GUESTS
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From this reading ARRIVAL OF UNEXPECTED GUESTS.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From time to time they gazed furtively at each other, and according to the susceptibility of their temperaments, were more or less disturbed by the strangeness of the scene.
lightly
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From this reading There was something so ghostlike in this silent dinner, that when the attendants moved they stepped lightly, as though they were fearful of raising the dead.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From time to time they gazed furtively at each other, and according to the susceptibility of their temperaments, were more or less disturbed by the strangeness of the scene.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
moved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was something so ghostlike in this silent dinner, that when the attendants moved they stepped lightly, as though they were fearful of raising the dead.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only persons who were not dismayed at the sight of the empty chairs were Mr. Weston, Mr. Steele, and the proprietor of the Silver Flagon.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ARRIVAL OF UNEXPECTED GUESTS.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only persons who were not dismayed at the sight of the empty chairs were Mr. Weston, Mr. Steele, and the proprietor of the Silver Flagon.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading From time to time they gazed furtively at each other, and according to the susceptibility of their temperaments, were more or less disturbed by the strangeness of the scene.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From time to time they gazed furtively at each other, and according to the susceptibility of their temperaments, were more or less disturbed by the strangeness of the scene.
performed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
persons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only persons who were not dismayed at the sight of the empty chairs were Mr. Weston, Mr. Steele, and the proprietor of the Silver Flagon.
proprietor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only persons who were not dismayed at the sight of the empty chairs were Mr. Weston, Mr. Steele, and the proprietor of the Silver Flagon.
punctilious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
raising
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From this reading There was something so ghostlike in this silent dinner, that when the attendants moved they stepped lightly, as though they were fearful of raising the dead.
scene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From time to time they gazed furtively at each other, and according to the susceptibility of their temperaments, were more or less disturbed by the strangeness of the scene.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
service
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only persons who were not dismayed at the sight of the empty chairs were Mr. Weston, Mr. Steele, and the proprietor of the Silver Flagon.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was something so ghostlike in this silent dinner, that when the attendants moved they stepped lightly, as though they were fearful of raising the dead.
Silver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only persons who were not dismayed at the sight of the empty chairs were Mr. Weston, Mr. Steele, and the proprietor of the Silver Flagon.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There was something so ghostlike in this silent dinner, that when the attendants moved they stepped lightly, as though they were fearful of raising the dead.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading There was something so ghostlike in this silent dinner, that when the attendants moved they stepped lightly, as though they were fearful of raising the dead.
StandingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
Steele
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only persons who were not dismayed at the sight of the empty chairs were Mr. Weston, Mr. Steele, and the proprietor of the Silver Flagon.
stepped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was something so ghostlike in this silent dinner, that when the attendants moved they stepped lightly, as though they were fearful of raising the dead.
strangeness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From time to time they gazed furtively at each other, and according to the susceptibility of their temperaments, were more or less disturbed by the strangeness of the scene.
susceptibility
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From time to time they gazed furtively at each other, and according to the susceptibility of their temperaments, were more or less disturbed by the strangeness of the scene.
temperaments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From time to time they gazed furtively at each other, and according to the susceptibility of their temperaments, were more or less disturbed by the strangeness of the scene.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was something so ghostlike in this silent dinner, that when the attendants moved they stepped lightly, as though they were fearful of raising the dead.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There was something so ghostlike in this silent dinner, that when the attendants moved they stepped lightly, as though they were fearful of raising the dead.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading There was something so ghostlike in this silent dinner, that when the attendants moved they stepped lightly, as though they were fearful of raising the dead.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From time to time they gazed furtively at each other, and according to the susceptibility of their temperaments, were more or less disturbed by the strangeness of the scene.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
twelve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
UNEXPECTED
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ARRIVAL OF UNEXPECTED GUESTS.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
Weston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only persons who were not dismayed at the sight of the empty chairs were Mr. Weston, Mr. Steele, and the proprietor of the Silver Flagon.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading There was something so ghostlike in this silent dinner, that when the attendants moved they stepped lightly, as though they were fearful of raising the dead.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The only persons who were not dismayed at the sight of the empty chairs were Mr. Weston, Mr. Steele, and the proprietor of the Silver Flagon.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Standing behind the twelve empty chairs, the attendants performed their duties with as much ceremony as could have been expected from them had they been waiting on the most exacting and punctilious guests; but it was not difficult to see that they did not like the service in which they were engaged.
