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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 The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The despatch box, an immense oblong coffer, was placed behind the vehicle and formed a part of it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.
armed
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From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.
Arras
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From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.
axles
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From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The despatch box, an immense oblong coffer, was placed behind the vehicle and formed a part of it.
black
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From this reading This coffer was painted black, and the cabriolet yellow.
box
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The despatch box, an immense oblong coffer, was placed behind the vehicle and formed a part of it.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.
cabriolet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This coffer was painted black, and the cabriolet yellow.
cabriolets
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From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.
coffer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The despatch box, an immense oblong coffer, was placed behind the vehicle and formed a part of it.
despatch
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From this reading The despatch box, an immense oblong coffer, was placed behind the vehicle and formed a part of it.
distance
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From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.
Empire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.
fawn-colored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.
formed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The despatch box, an immense oblong coffer, was placed behind the vehicle and formed a part of it.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.
Germany
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From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.
hung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.
immense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The despatch box, an immense oblong coffer, was placed behind the vehicle and formed a part of it.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.
inside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The despatch box, an immense oblong coffer, was placed behind the vehicle and formed a part of it.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.
leather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.
M
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.
mail-wagons
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From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.
oblong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The despatch box, an immense oblong coffer, was placed behind the vehicle and formed a part of it.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.
offensive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.
operated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.
painted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This coffer was painted black, and the cabriolet yellow.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The despatch box, an immense oblong coffer, was placed behind the vehicle and formed a part of it.
period
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.
placed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The despatch box, an immense oblong coffer, was placed behind the vehicle and formed a part of it.
postboy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.
postingnounUS /ˈpoʊstɪŋ/
a sign posted in a public place as an advertisement
From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.
road
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.
seats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.
service
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.
springs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.
sur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.
traveller
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.
two-wheeled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.
upholstered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.
vehicle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The despatch box, an immense oblong coffer, was placed behind the vehicle and formed a part of it.
vehicles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.
wheels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.
yellow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This coffer was painted black, and the cabriolet yellow.