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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 Now that Claire sat in expectant silence, she grew silent too, and looked down, and toyed with the fringe of her wrap, her face in a frown that indicated either perplexity or distrust.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The subject, whatever it was that she wanted to talk about, evidently had its embarrassing side.
Alice
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From this reading BUT Alice hesitated.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Now that Claire sat in expectant silence, she grew silent too, and looked down, and toyed with the fringe of her wrap, her face in a frown that indicated either perplexity or distrust.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
BUTconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading BUT Alice hesitated.
certainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
Claire
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From this reading Now that Claire sat in expectant silence, she grew silent too, and looked down, and toyed with the fringe of her wrap, her face in a frown that indicated either perplexity or distrust.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
distrust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that Claire sat in expectant silence, she grew silent too, and looked down, and toyed with the fringe of her wrap, her face in a frown that indicated either perplexity or distrust.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that Claire sat in expectant silence, she grew silent too, and looked down, and toyed with the fringe of her wrap, her face in a frown that indicated either perplexity or distrust.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading Now that Claire sat in expectant silence, she grew silent too, and looked down, and toyed with the fringe of her wrap, her face in a frown that indicated either perplexity or distrust.
embarrassing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The subject, whatever it was that she wanted to talk about, evidently had its embarrassing side.
evidently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The subject, whatever it was that she wanted to talk about, evidently had its embarrassing side.
expectant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that Claire sat in expectant silence, she grew silent too, and looked down, and toyed with the fringe of her wrap, her face in a frown that indicated either perplexity or distrust.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that Claire sat in expectant silence, she grew silent too, and looked down, and toyed with the fringe of her wrap, her face in a frown that indicated either perplexity or distrust.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
fringe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that Claire sat in expectant silence, she grew silent too, and looked down, and toyed with the fringe of her wrap, her face in a frown that indicated either perplexity or distrust.
frown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that Claire sat in expectant silence, she grew silent too, and looked down, and toyed with the fringe of her wrap, her face in a frown that indicated either perplexity or distrust.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
grew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that Claire sat in expectant silence, she grew silent too, and looked down, and toyed with the fringe of her wrap, her face in a frown that indicated either perplexity or distrust.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The subject, whatever it was that she wanted to talk about, evidently had its embarrassing side.
half-angrily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Now that Claire sat in expectant silence, she grew silent too, and looked down, and toyed with the fringe of her wrap, her face in a frown that indicated either perplexity or distrust.
hesitated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BUT Alice hesitated.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Now that Claire sat in expectant silence, she grew silent too, and looked down, and toyed with the fringe of her wrap, her face in a frown that indicated either perplexity or distrust.
indicated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that Claire sat in expectant silence, she grew silent too, and looked down, and toyed with the fringe of her wrap, her face in a frown that indicated either perplexity or distrust.
interference
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The subject, whatever it was that she wanted to talk about, evidently had its embarrassing side.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The subject, whatever it was that she wanted to talk about, evidently had its embarrassing side.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
LINES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NEW LINES OF WORK.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now that Claire sat in expectant silence, she grew silent too, and looked down, and toyed with the fringe of her wrap, her face in a frown that indicated either perplexity or distrust.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
NEW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NEW LINES OF WORK.
Now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that Claire sat in expectant silence, she grew silent too, and looked down, and toyed with the fringe of her wrap, her face in a frown that indicated either perplexity or distrust.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading NEW LINES OF WORK.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Now that Claire sat in expectant silence, she grew silent too, and looked down, and toyed with the fringe of her wrap, her face in a frown that indicated either perplexity or distrust.
oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
perplexity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that Claire sat in expectant silence, she grew silent too, and looked down, and toyed with the fringe of her wrap, her face in a frown that indicated either perplexity or distrust.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that Claire sat in expectant silence, she grew silent too, and looked down, and toyed with the fringe of her wrap, her face in a frown that indicated either perplexity or distrust.
seems
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The subject, whatever it was that she wanted to talk about, evidently had its embarrassing side.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The subject, whatever it was that she wanted to talk about, evidently had its embarrassing side.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Now that Claire sat in expectant silence, she grew silent too, and looked down, and toyed with the fringe of her wrap, her face in a frown that indicated either perplexity or distrust.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that Claire sat in expectant silence, she grew silent too, and looked down, and toyed with the fringe of her wrap, her face in a frown that indicated either perplexity or distrust.
simpleton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
speaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
subject
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The subject, whatever it was that she wanted to talk about, evidently had its embarrassing side.
supposenounUS /ˈsuppose/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The subject, whatever it was that she wanted to talk about, evidently had its embarrassing side.
thanks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The subject, whatever it was that she wanted to talk about, evidently had its embarrassing side.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The subject, whatever it was that she wanted to talk about, evidently had its embarrassing side.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The subject, whatever it was that she wanted to talk about, evidently had its embarrassing side.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that Claire sat in expectant silence, she grew silent too, and looked down, and toyed with the fringe of her wrap, her face in a frown that indicated either perplexity or distrust.
toyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that Claire sat in expectant silence, she grew silent too, and looked down, and toyed with the fringe of her wrap, her face in a frown that indicated either perplexity or distrust.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The subject, whatever it was that she wanted to talk about, evidently had its embarrassing side.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The subject, whatever it was that she wanted to talk about, evidently had its embarrassing side.
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading The subject, whatever it was that she wanted to talk about, evidently had its embarrassing side.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Now that Claire sat in expectant silence, she grew silent too, and looked down, and toyed with the fringe of her wrap, her face in a frown that indicated either perplexity or distrust.
WORK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NEW LINES OF WORK.
wrap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that Claire sat in expectant silence, she grew silent too, and looked down, and toyed with the fringe of her wrap, her face in a frown that indicated either perplexity or distrust.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I don't know why I should come to you," she said, at last, speaking half-angrily; "I suppose I am a simpleton, and shall get little thanks for any interference, yet it certainly seems to me as though something ought to be done, and as though you might do it."
