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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 It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.
AGAINSTprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading AGAINST THE WIND.
also
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
approached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
Blenkiron
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From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
breezy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.
calls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.
carriage
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From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The house itself lies in a hollow, and you come upon it unexpectedly.
Cora
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From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
cottage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
curiosity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
drive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.
engagement
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From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
flanked
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From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.
George
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
good-sized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.
greatly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
half-a-mile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.
happening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
Hartsilver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
hollow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house itself lies in a hollow, and you come upon it unexpectedly.
Hopford
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From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
interested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
items
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The house itself lies in a hollow, and you come upon it unexpectedly.
Johnson
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From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
lies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house itself lies in a hollow, and you come upon it unexpectedly.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
mentioned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
neighborhood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
Nest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
news
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
Preston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
prompted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
reality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.
seek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
sides
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
Stapleton's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
style
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AGAINST THE WIND.
thick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
Uckfield
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
undergrowth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.
unexpectedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house itself lies in a hollow, and you come upon it unexpectedly.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The house itself lies in a hollow, and you come upon it unexpectedly.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
vicinity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
view
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
WINDnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AGAINST THE WIND.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.
woods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.
wrote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading The house itself lies in a hollow, and you come upon it unexpectedly.