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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 “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
acquaintance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “‘Though I am in the parish of Saint-Paul,’ said he, ‘I could scarcely have failed to hear of the Cure of the White Friars, and I am happy to make his acquaintance.’
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “‘Though I am in the parish of Saint-Paul,’ said he, ‘I could scarcely have failed to hear of the Cure of the White Friars, and I am happy to make his acquaintance.’
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading While I believe that I am offering a good gift to your Excellency, I hope at the same time to give my nephew a second father.’
believenounUS /ˈbelieve/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading While I believe that I am offering a good gift to your Excellency, I hope at the same time to give my nephew a second father.’
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading ‘I have brought to you my only remaining relation.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
came
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From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
coat
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From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
Comte
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From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “‘Though I am in the parish of Saint-Paul,’ said he, ‘I could scarcely have failed to hear of the Cure of the White Friars, and I am happy to make his acquaintance.’
Cure
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From this reading “‘Though I am in the parish of Saint-Paul,’ said he, ‘I could scarcely have failed to hear of the Cure of the White Friars, and I am happy to make his acquaintance.’
down
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From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
dressed
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From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
Excellency
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From this reading “‘Your Excellency is most kind,’ replied my uncle.
failed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “‘Though I am in the parish of Saint-Paul,’ said he, ‘I could scarcely have failed to hear of the Cure of the White Friars, and I am happy to make his acquaintance.’
father
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From this reading While I believe that I am offering a good gift to your Excellency, I hope at the same time to give my nephew a second father.’
fireplace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
flannel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
Friars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “‘Though I am in the parish of Saint-Paul,’ said he, ‘I could scarcely have failed to hear of the Cure of the White Friars, and I am happy to make his acquaintance.’
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
gift
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From this reading While I believe that I am offering a good gift to your Excellency, I hope at the same time to give my nephew a second father.’
give
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From this reading While I believe that I am offering a good gift to your Excellency, I hope at the same time to give my nephew a second father.’
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading While I believe that I am offering a good gift to your Excellency, I hope at the same time to give my nephew a second father.’
gray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
happy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “‘Though I am in the parish of Saint-Paul,’ said he, ‘I could scarcely have failed to hear of the Cure of the White Friars, and I am happy to make his acquaintance.’
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “‘Though I am in the parish of Saint-Paul,’ said he, ‘I could scarcely have failed to hear of the Cure of the White Friars, and I am happy to make his acquaintance.’
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “‘Though I am in the parish of Saint-Paul,’ said he, ‘I could scarcely have failed to hear of the Cure of the White Friars, and I am happy to make his acquaintance.’
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While I believe that I am offering a good gift to your Excellency, I hope at the same time to give my nephew a second father.’
huge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “‘Though I am in the parish of Saint-Paul,’ said he, ‘I could scarcely have failed to hear of the Cure of the White Friars, and I am happy to make his acquaintance.’
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “‘Your Excellency is most kind,’ replied my uncle.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “‘Your Excellency is most kind,’ replied my uncle.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “‘Though I am in the parish of Saint-Paul,’ said he, ‘I could scarcely have failed to hear of the Cure of the White Friars, and I am happy to make his acquaintance.’
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “‘Your Excellency is most kind,’ replied my uncle.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
nephew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While I believe that I am offering a good gift to your Excellency, I hope at the same time to give my nephew a second father.’
Octave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “‘Though I am in the parish of Saint-Paul,’ said he, ‘I could scarcely have failed to hear of the Cure of the White Friars, and I am happy to make his acquaintance.’
offering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While I believe that I am offering a good gift to your Excellency, I hope at the same time to give my nephew a second father.’
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I have brought to you my only remaining relation.
parish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “‘Though I am in the parish of Saint-Paul,’ said he, ‘I could scarcely have failed to hear of the Cure of the White Friars, and I am happy to make his acquaintance.’
pressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
relation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I have brought to you my only remaining relation.
remaining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I have brought to you my only remaining relation.
repliednounUS /replied/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “‘Your Excellency is most kind,’ replied my uncle.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “‘Though I am in the parish of Saint-Paul,’ said he, ‘I could scarcely have failed to hear of the Cure of the White Friars, and I am happy to make his acquaintance.’
Saint-Paul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “‘Though I am in the parish of Saint-Paul,’ said he, ‘I could scarcely have failed to hear of the Cure of the White Friars, and I am happy to make his acquaintance.’
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading While I believe that I am offering a good gift to your Excellency, I hope at the same time to give my nephew a second father.’
scarcely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “‘Though I am in the parish of Saint-Paul,’ said he, ‘I could scarcely have failed to hear of the Cure of the White Friars, and I am happy to make his acquaintance.’
seat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While I believe that I am offering a good gift to your Excellency, I hope at the same time to give my nephew a second father.’
signed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
sit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading While I believe that I am offering a good gift to your Excellency, I hope at the same time to give my nephew a second father.’
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading “‘Though I am in the parish of Saint-Paul,’ said he, ‘I could scarcely have failed to hear of the Cure of the White Friars, and I am happy to make his acquaintance.’
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading While I believe that I am offering a good gift to your Excellency, I hope at the same time to give my nephew a second father.’
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
trousers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
uncle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “‘Your Excellency is most kind,’ replied my uncle.
uncle's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
White
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “‘Though I am in the parish of Saint-Paul,’ said he, ‘I could scarcely have failed to hear of the Cure of the White Friars, and I am happy to make his acquaintance.’
writing-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Comte Octave, dressed in long trousers and a gray flannel morning coat, rose from his seat by a huge writing-table, came to the fireplace, and signed to me to sit down, while he went forward to take my uncle’s hands, which he pressed.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ‘I have brought to you my only remaining relation.
YourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “‘Your Excellency is most kind,’ replied my uncle.
