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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 A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
assent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
bottom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I suppose there was a woman at the bottom of it?"
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
ByprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
committed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
compassion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
corporal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
crime
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Gurn dropped his eyes and did not reply.
dropped
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From this reading Gurn dropped his eyes and did not reply.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gurn dropped his eyes and did not reply.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
Gurn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
Gurn's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
honestadjectiveUS /ˈɑnɪst/
truthful and trustworthy
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
kindly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
noddednounUS /nodded/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Gurn dropped his eyes and did not reply.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
prisoner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
promoted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
rank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
rate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
reply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gurn dropped his eyes and did not reply.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
seem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
seized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
sergeant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
serious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
shoulder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
soldier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
steady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
suddennounUS /sudden/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
supposenounUS /ˈsuppose/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "I suppose there was a woman at the bottom of it?"
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I suppose there was a woman at the bottom of it?"
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
Transvaal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I suppose there was a woman at the bottom of it?"
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I suppose there was a woman at the bottom of it?"
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
