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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 He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
amongstprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋst/
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE COVERT SHOOT At the head of the breakfast-table sat Mr. Pendyce, eating methodically.
autocracy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
Beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----" Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that "but."
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading At the foot of the breakfast-table sat Mrs. Pendyce behind a silver urn which emitted a gentle steam.
breakfast-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COVERT SHOOT At the head of the breakfast-table sat Mr. Pendyce, eating methodically.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
ceasing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
coffee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----" Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that "but."
COVERT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COVERT SHOOT At the head of the breakfast-table sat Mr. Pendyce, eating methodically.
cups
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----" Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that "but."
dress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----" Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that "but."
drink
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----" Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that "but."
EachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading "Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----" Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that "but."
eat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----" Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that "but."
eating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COVERT SHOOT At the head of the breakfast-table sat Mr. Pendyce, eating methodically.
emitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the foot of the breakfast-table sat Mrs. Pendyce behind a silver urn which emitted a gentle steam.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----" Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that "but."
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At the foot of the breakfast-table sat Mrs. Pendyce behind a silver urn which emitted a gentle steam.
gentle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the foot of the breakfast-table sat Mrs. Pendyce behind a silver urn which emitted a gentle steam.
glance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----" Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that "but."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
half-opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COVERT SHOOT At the head of the breakfast-table sat Mr. Pendyce, eating methodically.
HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
hint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
informal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----" Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that "but."
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----" Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that "but."
lips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
methodically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COVERT SHOOT At the head of the breakfast-table sat Mr. Pendyce, eating methodically.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COVERT SHOOT At the head of the breakfast-table sat Mr. Pendyce, eating methodically.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the foot of the breakfast-table sat Mrs. Pendyce behind a silver urn which emitted a gentle steam.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE COVERT SHOOT At the head of the breakfast-table sat Mr. Pendyce, eating methodically.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----" Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that "but."
Pendyce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COVERT SHOOT At the head of the breakfast-table sat Mr. Pendyce, eating methodically.
pile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
prayers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
reference
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
repeat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----" Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that "but."
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COVERT SHOOT At the head of the breakfast-table sat Mr. Pendyce, eating methodically.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----" Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that "but."
semi-genial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----" Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that "but."
sentence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----" Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that "but."
SHOOT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COVERT SHOOT At the head of the breakfast-table sat Mr. Pendyce, eating methodically.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
silver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the foot of the breakfast-table sat Mrs. Pendyce behind a silver urn which emitted a gentle steam.
sit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----" Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that "but."
somewhat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
sparing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----" Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that "but."
spasmodic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
steam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the foot of the breakfast-table sat Mrs. Pendyce behind a silver urn which emitted a gentle steam.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----" Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that "but."
tea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----" Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that "but."
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE COVERT SHOOT At the head of the breakfast-table sat Mr. Pendyce, eating methodically.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----" Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that "but."
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
urn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the foot of the breakfast-table sat Mrs. Pendyce behind a silver urn which emitted a gentle steam.
utterances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----" Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that "but."
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading "Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----" Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that "but."
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At the foot of the breakfast-table sat Mrs. Pendyce behind a silver urn which emitted a gentle steam.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
worked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----" Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that "but."
