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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 On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
Absence
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From this reading Absence cannot have rendered you callous to our joys and griefs; and how shall I inflict pain on my long absent son?
absent
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From this reading Absence cannot have rendered you callous to our joys and griefs; and how shall I inflict pain on my long absent son?
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But that would be a cruel kindness, and I dare not do it.
behold
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From this reading What would be your surprise, my son, when you expected a happy and glad welcome, to behold, on the contrary, tears and wretchedness?
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But that would be a cruel kindness, and I dare not do it.
callousadjectiveUS /ˈkæləs/
showing no sympathy for other people’s suffering
From this reading Absence cannot have rendered you callous to our joys and griefs; and how shall I inflict pain on my long absent son?
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading And how, Victor, can I relate our misfortune?
cannot
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From this reading Absence cannot have rendered you callous to our joys and griefs; and how shall I inflict pain on my long absent son?
contrary
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From this reading What would be your surprise, my son, when you expected a happy and glad welcome, to behold, on the contrary, tears and wretchedness?
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
causing pain or showing no kindness
From this reading But that would be a cruel kindness, and I dare not do it.
dare
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From this reading But that would be a cruel kindness, and I dare not do it.
date
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From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
dear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading But that would be a cruel kindness, and I dare not do it.
expectverbUS /ɪkˈspekt/
to think that something will happen
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
expected
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From this reading What would be your surprise, my son, when you expected a happy and glad welcome, to behold, on the contrary, tears and wretchedness?
father
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From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
fix
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From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
following
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
glad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What would be your surprise, my son, when you expected a happy and glad welcome, to behold, on the contrary, tears and wretchedness?
griefs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Absence cannot have rendered you callous to our joys and griefs; and how shall I inflict pain on my long absent son?
happy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What would be your surprise, my son, when you expected a happy and glad welcome, to behold, on the contrary, tears and wretchedness?
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
how
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From this reading And how, Victor, can I relate our misfortune?
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
impatiently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
inflict
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Absence cannot have rendered you callous to our joys and griefs; and how shall I inflict pain on my long absent son?
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But that would be a cruel kindness, and I dare not do it.
joys
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From this reading Absence cannot have rendered you callous to our joys and griefs; and how shall I inflict pain on my long absent son?
kindness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But that would be a cruel kindness, and I dare not do it.
letter
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From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
lines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Absence cannot have rendered you callous to our joys and griefs; and how shall I inflict pain on my long absent son?
mentioning
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From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
merely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
misfortune
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And how, Victor, can I relate our misfortune?
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But that would be a cruel kindness, and I dare not do it.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading And how, Victor, can I relate our misfortune?
pain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Absence cannot have rendered you callous to our joys and griefs; and how shall I inflict pain on my long absent son?
probably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
relate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And how, Victor, can I relate our misfortune?
rendered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Absence cannot have rendered you callous to our joys and griefs; and how shall I inflict pain on my long absent son?
returnverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrn/
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading Absence cannot have rendered you callous to our joys and griefs; and how shall I inflict pain on my long absent son?
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
son
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What would be your surprise, my son, when you expected a happy and glad welcome, to behold, on the contrary, tears and wretchedness?
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What would be your surprise, my son, when you expected a happy and glad welcome, to behold, on the contrary, tears and wretchedness?
tears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What would be your surprise, my son, when you expected a happy and glad welcome, to behold, on the contrary, tears and wretchedness?
tempted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But that would be a cruel kindness, and I dare not do it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
Victor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
waited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
welcome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What would be your surprise, my son, when you expected a happy and glad welcome, to behold, on the contrary, tears and wretchedness?
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What would be your surprise, my son, when you expected a happy and glad welcome, to behold, on the contrary, tears and wretchedness?
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading What would be your surprise, my son, when you expected a happy and glad welcome, to behold, on the contrary, tears and wretchedness?
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But that would be a cruel kindness, and I dare not do it.
wretchedness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What would be your surprise, my son, when you expected a happy and glad welcome, to behold, on the contrary, tears and wretchedness?
write
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading On my return, I found the following letter from my father:— “My dear Victor, “You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines, merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you.
