Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Schmucke watched the mechanical operation which consists in setting the justice’s seal at either end of a bit of tape stretched across the opening of a folding-door; or, in the case of a cupboard or ordinary door, from edge to edge above the door-handle.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Schmucke watched the mechanical operation which consists in setting the justice’s seal at either end of a bit of tape stretched across the opening of a folding-door; or, in the case of a cupboard or ordinary door, from edge to edge above the door-handle.
affix
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
assisting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At length the party sealed up the chamber and returned to the dining-room, whither the clerk betook himself.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
bedroom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Now for this room,” said Fraisier, pointing to Schmucke’s bedroom, which opened into the dining-room.
betook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length the party sealed up the chamber and returned to the dining-room, whither the clerk betook himself.
bewilderednounUS /bewildered/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
bit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke watched the mechanical operation which consists in setting the justice’s seal at either end of a bit of tape stretched across the opening of a folding-door; or, in the case of a cupboard or ordinary door, from edge to edge above the door-handle.
buffoonery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke watched the mechanical operation which consists in setting the justice’s seal at either end of a bit of tape stretched across the opening of a folding-door; or, in the case of a cupboard or ordinary door, from edge to edge above the door-handle.
ceremony
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
chamber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length the party sealed up the chamber and returned to the dining-room, whither the clerk betook himself.
chat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
clerk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
comments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
completely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
consists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke watched the mechanical operation which consists in setting the justice’s seal at either end of a bit of tape stretched across the opening of a folding-door; or, in the case of a cupboard or ordinary door, from edge to edge above the door-handle.
coolness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
cupboard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke watched the mechanical operation which consists in setting the justice’s seal at either end of a bit of tape stretched across the opening of a folding-door; or, in the case of a cupboard or ordinary door, from edge to edge above the door-handle.
dining-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length the party sealed up the chamber and returned to the dining-room, whither the clerk betook himself.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke watched the mechanical operation which consists in setting the justice’s seal at either end of a bit of tape stretched across the opening of a folding-door; or, in the case of a cupboard or ordinary door, from edge to edge above the door-handle.
door-handle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke watched the mechanical operation which consists in setting the justice’s seal at either end of a bit of tape stretched across the opening of a folding-door; or, in the case of a cupboard or ordinary door, from edge to edge above the door-handle.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
edge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke watched the mechanical operation which consists in setting the justice’s seal at either end of a bit of tape stretched across the opening of a folding-door; or, in the case of a cupboard or ordinary door, from edge to edge above the door-handle.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading Schmucke watched the mechanical operation which consists in setting the justice’s seal at either end of a bit of tape stretched across the opening of a folding-door; or, in the case of a cupboard or ordinary door, from edge to edge above the door-handle.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke watched the mechanical operation which consists in setting the justice’s seal at either end of a bit of tape stretched across the opening of a folding-door; or, in the case of a cupboard or ordinary door, from edge to edge above the door-handle.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
folding-door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke watched the mechanical operation which consists in setting the justice’s seal at either end of a bit of tape stretched across the opening of a folding-door; or, in the case of a cupboard or ordinary door, from edge to edge above the door-handle.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
Fraisier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Now for this room,” said Fraisier, pointing to Schmucke’s bedroom, which opened into the dining-room.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Schmucke watched the mechanical operation which consists in setting the justice’s seal at either end of a bit of tape stretched across the opening of a folding-door; or, in the case of a cupboard or ordinary door, from edge to edge above the door-handle.
grown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
happens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
hearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading At length the party sealed up the chamber and returned to the dining-room, whither the clerk betook himself.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading “Now for this room,” said Fraisier, pointing to Schmucke’s bedroom, which opened into the dining-room.
involves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
justice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
justice's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke watched the mechanical operation which consists in setting the justice’s seal at either end of a bit of tape stretched across the opening of a folding-door; or, in the case of a cupboard or ordinary door, from edge to edge above the door-handle.
lengthnounUS /leŋθ/
a period of time or extent
From this reading At length the party sealed up the chamber and returned to the dining-room, whither the clerk betook himself.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
meanwhilenounUS /ˈmeanwhile/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
mechanical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke watched the mechanical operation which consists in setting the justice’s seal at either end of a bit of tape stretched across the opening of a folding-door; or, in the case of a cupboard or ordinary door, from edge to edge above the door-handle.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
Now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Now for this room,” said Fraisier, pointing to Schmucke’s bedroom, which opened into the dining-room.
objects
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Now for this room,” said Fraisier, pointing to Schmucke’s bedroom, which opened into the dining-room.
opening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke watched the mechanical operation which consists in setting the justice’s seal at either end of a bit of tape stretched across the opening of a folding-door; or, in the case of a cupboard or ordinary door, from edge to edge above the door-handle.
operation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke watched the mechanical operation which consists in setting the justice’s seal at either end of a bit of tape stretched across the opening of a folding-door; or, in the case of a cupboard or ordinary door, from edge to edge above the door-handle.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Schmucke watched the mechanical operation which consists in setting the justice’s seal at either end of a bit of tape stretched across the opening of a folding-door; or, in the case of a cupboard or ordinary door, from edge to edge above the door-handle.
ordinary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke watched the mechanical operation which consists in setting the justice’s seal at either end of a bit of tape stretched across the opening of a folding-door; or, in the case of a cupboard or ordinary door, from edge to edge above the door-handle.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At length the party sealed up the chamber and returned to the dining-room, whither the clerk betook himself.
peace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
plentiful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
pointing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Now for this room,” said Fraisier, pointing to Schmucke’s bedroom, which opened into the dining-room.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
professional
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading At length the party sealed up the chamber and returned to the dining-room, whither the clerk betook himself.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Now for this room,” said Fraisier, pointing to Schmucke’s bedroom, which opened into the dining-room.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Now for this room,” said Fraisier, pointing to Schmucke’s bedroom, which opened into the dining-room.
sank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
Schmucke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
Schmucke's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Now for this room,” said Fraisier, pointing to Schmucke’s bedroom, which opened into the dining-room.
seal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke watched the mechanical operation which consists in setting the justice’s seal at either end of a bit of tape stretched across the opening of a folding-door; or, in the case of a cupboard or ordinary door, from edge to edge above the door-handle.
sealedadjectiveUS /siːld/
closed and kept secret in this chapter’s sailing situation
From this reading At length the party sealed up the chamber and returned to the dining-room, whither the clerk betook himself.
seals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
secured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
setting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke watched the mechanical operation which consists in setting the justice’s seal at either end of a bit of tape stretched across the opening of a folding-door; or, in the case of a cupboard or ordinary door, from edge to edge above the door-handle.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
stretched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke watched the mechanical operation which consists in setting the justice’s seal at either end of a bit of tape stretched across the opening of a folding-door; or, in the case of a cupboard or ordinary door, from edge to edge above the door-handle.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
supportverbUS /səˈpɔːrt/
to provide what someone needs in order to live
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
tape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke watched the mechanical operation which consists in setting the justice’s seal at either end of a bit of tape stretched across the opening of a folding-door; or, in the case of a cupboard or ordinary door, from edge to edge above the door-handle.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “Now for this room,” said Fraisier, pointing to Schmucke’s bedroom, which opened into the dining-room.
thus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
unlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/
except if; if not
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length the party sealed up the chamber and returned to the dining-room, whither the clerk betook himself.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
Villemot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Schmucke, hearing such talk for the first time in his life, was completely bewildered by it; his head sank down upon the back of his chair--he could not support it, it had grown so heavy.
watched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schmucke watched the mechanical operation which consists in setting the justice’s seal at either end of a bit of tape stretched across the opening of a folding-door; or, in the case of a cupboard or ordinary door, from edge to edge above the door-handle.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
whitheradverbUS /ˈwɪðər/
an old word meaning “to where”
From this reading At length the party sealed up the chamber and returned to the dining-room, whither the clerk betook himself.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Villemot meanwhile went off to chat with the justice of the peace and his clerk, assisting with professional coolness to affix the seals--a ceremony which always involves some buffoonery and plentiful comments on the objects thus secured, unless, indeed, one of the family happens to be present.
