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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 flutter awoke in Janet’s breast.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Who was she? not an ordinary customer, not anybody with an order for picture frames.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
anybodypronounUS /ˈenibədi/
any person at all
From this reading Who was she? not an ordinary customer, not anybody with an order for picture frames.
apparition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girl spoke to her father, but her eyes were caught instantly by the unusual apparition of the lady in the shop.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
awoke
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From this reading A flutter awoke in Janet’s breast.
breast
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From this reading A flutter awoke in Janet’s breast.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The girl spoke to her father, but her eyes were caught instantly by the unusual apparition of the lady in the shop.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The girl spoke to her father, but her eyes were caught instantly by the unusual apparition of the lady in the shop.
caught
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girl spoke to her father, but her eyes were caught instantly by the unusual apparition of the lady in the shop.
companion
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From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
customer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Who was she? not an ordinary customer, not anybody with an order for picture frames.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “What is it, father? do you want me?”
dreamnounUS /driːm/
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
education
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
equal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girl spoke to her father, but her eyes were caught instantly by the unusual apparition of the lady in the shop.
fancy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What is it, father? do you want me?”
flutter
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From this reading A flutter awoke in Janet’s breast.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Who was she? not an ordinary customer, not anybody with an order for picture frames.
forewoman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
frames
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From this reading Who was she? not an ordinary customer, not anybody with an order for picture frames.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girl spoke to her father, but her eyes were caught instantly by the unusual apparition of the lady in the shop.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The girl spoke to her father, but her eyes were caught instantly by the unusual apparition of the lady in the shop.
hopes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The girl spoke to her father, but her eyes were caught instantly by the unusual apparition of the lady in the shop.
instantly
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From this reading The girl spoke to her father, but her eyes were caught instantly by the unusual apparition of the lady in the shop.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “What is it, father? do you want me?”
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “What is it, father? do you want me?”
Janet's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A flutter awoke in Janet’s breast.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girl spoke to her father, but her eyes were caught instantly by the unusual apparition of the lady in the shop.
lady's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
maid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
manners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “What is it, father? do you want me?”
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Who was she? not an ordinary customer, not anybody with an order for picture frames.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The girl spoke to her father, but her eyes were caught instantly by the unusual apparition of the lady in the shop.
offer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Who was she? not an ordinary customer, not anybody with an order for picture frames.
ordinary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Who was she? not an ordinary customer, not anybody with an order for picture frames.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
picture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Who was she? not an ordinary customer, not anybody with an order for picture frames.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
self-importance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Who was she? not an ordinary customer, not anybody with an order for picture frames.
shop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girl spoke to her father, but her eyes were caught instantly by the unusual apparition of the lady in the shop.
situation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
somebodypronounUS /ˈsʌmbɑːdi/
a person, without saying who
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
spoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girl spoke to her father, but her eyes were caught instantly by the unusual apparition of the lady in the shop.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The girl spoke to her father, but her eyes were caught instantly by the unusual apparition of the lady in the shop.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The girl spoke to her father, but her eyes were caught instantly by the unusual apparition of the lady in the shop.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
unusual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girl spoke to her father, but her eyes were caught instantly by the unusual apparition of the lady in the shop.
varied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
varying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
want
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What is it, father? do you want me?”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Who was she? not an ordinary customer, not anybody with an order for picture frames.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The girl spoke to her father, but her eyes were caught instantly by the unusual apparition of the lady in the shop.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “What is it, father? do you want me?”
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Was it perhaps somebody sent from the shop to offer that situation which was the dream of her fancy? a situation, she did not quite know what, varying as her hopes and sense of self-importance varied from that of a companion (which, the forewoman of the shop had told her, her manners and look were equal to--not to speak of her education) to that of a lady’s maid.
WhopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Who was she? not an ordinary customer, not anybody with an order for picture frames.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Who was she? not an ordinary customer, not anybody with an order for picture frames.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “What is it, father? do you want me?”
