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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 Things in the trade were slack; and as Soames had reflected before making up his mind, it had been a good time for building.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading PROGRESS OF THE HOUSE The winter had been an open one.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Things in the trade were slack; and as Soames had reflected before making up his mind, it had been a good time for building.
April
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shell of the house at Robin Hill was thus completed by the end of April.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Things in the trade were slack; and as Soames had reflected before making up his mind, it had been a good time for building.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The shell of the house at Robin Hill was thus completed by the end of April.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading PROGRESS OF THE HOUSE The winter had been an open one.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Things in the trade were slack; and as Soames had reflected before making up his mind, it had been a good time for building.
brickwork
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
building
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things in the trade were slack; and as Soames had reflected before making up his mind, it had been a good time for building.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The shell of the house at Robin Hill was thus completed by the end of April.
careful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
central
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
circling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
clothes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
columns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
completed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shell of the house at Robin Hill was thus completed by the end of April.
court
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
debris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
doorways
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shell of the house at Robin Hill was thus completed by the end of April.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Things in the trade were slack; and as Soames had reflected before making up his mind, it had been a good time for building.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Things in the trade were slack; and as Soames had reflected before making up his mind, it had been a good time for building.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading PROGRESS OF THE HOUSE The winter had been an open one.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
Hill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shell of the house at Robin Hill was thus completed by the end of April.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Things in the trade were slack; and as Soames had reflected before making up his mind, it had been a good time for building.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
HOUSE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PROGRESS OF THE HOUSE The winter had been an open one.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Things in the trade were slack; and as Soames had reflected before making up his mind, it had been a good time for building.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading And he would stand before them for minutes' together, as though peering into the real quality of their substance.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Things in the trade were slack; and as Soames had reflected before making up his mind, it had been a good time for building.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things in the trade were slack; and as Soames had reflected before making up his mind, it had been a good time for building.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Things in the trade were slack; and as Soames had reflected before making up his mind, it had been a good time for building.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And he would stand before them for minutes' together, as though peering into the real quality of their substance.
money
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
mouse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
moving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
Now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading PROGRESS OF THE HOUSE The winter had been an open one.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading PROGRESS OF THE HOUSE The winter had been an open one.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading PROGRESS OF THE HOUSE The winter had been an open one.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
peeringverbUS /ˈpɪrɪŋ/
looking closely or carefully
From this reading And he would stand before them for minutes' together, as though peering into the real quality of their substance.
PROGRESS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PROGRESS OF THE HOUSE The winter had been an open one.
quality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And he would stand before them for minutes' together, as though peering into the real quality of their substance.
real
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And he would stand before them for minutes' together, as though peering into the real quality of their substance.
reflected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things in the trade were slack; and as Soames had reflected before making up his mind, it had been a good time for building.
Robin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shell of the house at Robin Hill was thus completed by the end of April.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
shell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shell of the house at Robin Hill was thus completed by the end of April.
silently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
slack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things in the trade were slack; and as Soames had reflected before making up his mind, it had been a good time for building.
Soames
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things in the trade were slack; and as Soames had reflected before making up his mind, it had been a good time for building.
soil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
stand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And he would stand before them for minutes' together, as though peering into the real quality of their substance.
substancenounUS /ˈsʌbstəns/
wealth or financial means
From this reading And he would stand before them for minutes' together, as though peering into the real quality of their substance.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PROGRESS OF THE HOUSE The winter had been an open one.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading And he would stand before them for minutes' together, as though peering into the real quality of their substance.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading And he would stand before them for minutes' together, as though peering into the real quality of their substance.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
Things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things in the trade were slack; and as Soames had reflected before making up his mind, it had been a good time for building.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading And he would stand before them for minutes' together, as though peering into the real quality of their substance.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
thus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shell of the house at Robin Hill was thus completed by the end of April.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Things in the trade were slack; and as Soames had reflected before making up his mind, it had been a good time for building.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And he would stand before them for minutes' together, as though peering into the real quality of their substance.
trade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things in the trade were slack; and as Soames had reflected before making up his mind, it had been a good time for building.
twice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
unfinished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things in the trade were slack; and as Soames had reflected before making up his mind, it had been a good time for building.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The shell of the house at Robin Hill was thus completed by the end of April.
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Things in the trade were slack; and as Soames had reflected before making up his mind, it had been a good time for building.
winter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PROGRESS OF THE HOUSE The winter had been an open one.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court.
