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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 My house was like a mechanics’ debating society: Uma was so made up that I shouldn’t go into the bush by night, or that, if I did, I was never to come back again.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading You know her style of arguing: you’ve had a specimen about Queen Victoria and the devil; and I leave you to fancy if I was tired of it before dark.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My house was like a mechanics’ debating society: Uma was so made up that I shouldn’t go into the bush by night, or that, if I did, I was never to come back again.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Well, I was committed now; Tiapolo had to be smashed up before next day, and my hands were pretty full, not only with preparations, but with argument.
arguing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You know her style of arguing: you’ve had a specimen about Queen Victoria and the devil; and I leave you to fancy if I was tired of it before dark.
argumentnounUS /ˈɑːrɡjəmənt/
a reason or example used to support an idea
From this reading Well, I was committed now; Tiapolo had to be smashed up before next day, and my hands were pretty full, not only with preparations, but with argument.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At last I had a good idea.
back
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From this reading My house was like a mechanics’ debating society: Uma was so made up that I shouldn’t go into the bush by night, or that, if I did, I was never to come back again.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Well, I was committed now; Tiapolo had to be smashed up before next day, and my hands were pretty full, not only with preparations, but with argument.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Well, I was committed now; Tiapolo had to be smashed up before next day, and my hands were pretty full, not only with preparations, but with argument.
bush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My house was like a mechanics’ debating society: Uma was so made up that I shouldn’t go into the bush by night, or that, if I did, I was never to come back again.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Well, I was committed now; Tiapolo had to be smashed up before next day, and my hands were pretty full, not only with preparations, but with argument.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading My house was like a mechanics’ debating society: Uma was so made up that I shouldn’t go into the bush by night, or that, if I did, I was never to come back again.
casting
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From this reading What was the use of casting my pearls before her?
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My house was like a mechanics’ debating society: Uma was so made up that I shouldn’t go into the bush by night, or that, if I did, I was never to come back again.
committed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well, I was committed now; Tiapolo had to be smashed up before next day, and my hands were pretty full, not only with preparations, but with argument.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You know her style of arguing: you’ve had a specimen about Queen Victoria and the devil; and I leave you to fancy if I was tired of it before dark.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well, I was committed now; Tiapolo had to be smashed up before next day, and my hands were pretty full, not only with preparations, but with argument.
debating
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From this reading My house was like a mechanics’ debating society: Uma was so made up that I shouldn’t go into the bush by night, or that, if I did, I was never to come back again.
devil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You know her style of arguing: you’ve had a specimen about Queen Victoria and the devil; and I leave you to fancy if I was tired of it before dark.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading My house was like a mechanics’ debating society: Uma was so made up that I shouldn’t go into the bush by night, or that, if I did, I was never to come back again.
fancy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You know her style of arguing: you’ve had a specimen about Queen Victoria and the devil; and I leave you to fancy if I was tired of it before dark.
full
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From this reading Well, I was committed now; Tiapolo had to be smashed up before next day, and my hands were pretty full, not only with preparations, but with argument.
go
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From this reading My house was like a mechanics’ debating society: Uma was so made up that I shouldn’t go into the bush by night, or that, if I did, I was never to come back again.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At last I had a good idea.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Well, I was committed now; Tiapolo had to be smashed up before next day, and my hands were pretty full, not only with preparations, but with argument.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading Well, I was committed now; Tiapolo had to be smashed up before next day, and my hands were pretty full, not only with preparations, but with argument.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading You know her style of arguing: you’ve had a specimen about Queen Victoria and the devil; and I leave you to fancy if I was tired of it before dark.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My house was like a mechanics’ debating society: Uma was so made up that I shouldn’t go into the bush by night, or that, if I did, I was never to come back again.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Well, I was committed now; Tiapolo had to be smashed up before next day, and my hands were pretty full, not only with preparations, but with argument.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last I had a good idea.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading My house was like a mechanics’ debating society: Uma was so made up that I shouldn’t go into the bush by night, or that, if I did, I was never to come back again.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading My house was like a mechanics’ debating society: Uma was so made up that I shouldn’t go into the bush by night, or that, if I did, I was never to come back again.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading You know her style of arguing: you’ve had a specimen about Queen Victoria and the devil; and I leave you to fancy if I was tired of it before dark.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading You know her style of arguing: you’ve had a specimen about Queen Victoria and the devil; and I leave you to fancy if I was tired of it before dark.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At last I had a good idea.
leave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You know her style of arguing: you’ve had a specimen about Queen Victoria and the devil; and I leave you to fancy if I was tired of it before dark.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My house was like a mechanics’ debating society: Uma was so made up that I shouldn’t go into the bush by night, or that, if I did, I was never to come back again.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My house was like a mechanics’ debating society: Uma was so made up that I shouldn’t go into the bush by night, or that, if I did, I was never to come back again.
mechanics
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My house was like a mechanics’ debating society: Uma was so made up that I shouldn’t go into the bush by night, or that, if I did, I was never to come back again.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Well, I was committed now; Tiapolo had to be smashed up before next day, and my hands were pretty full, not only with preparations, but with argument.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My house was like a mechanics’ debating society: Uma was so made up that I shouldn’t go into the bush by night, or that, if I did, I was never to come back again.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Well, I was committed now; Tiapolo had to be smashed up before next day, and my hands were pretty full, not only with preparations, but with argument.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My house was like a mechanics’ debating society: Uma was so made up that I shouldn’t go into the bush by night, or that, if I did, I was never to come back again.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Well, I was committed now; Tiapolo had to be smashed up before next day, and my hands were pretty full, not only with preparations, but with argument.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well, I was committed now; Tiapolo had to be smashed up before next day, and my hands were pretty full, not only with preparations, but with argument.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading You know her style of arguing: you’ve had a specimen about Queen Victoria and the devil; and I leave you to fancy if I was tired of it before dark.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well, I was committed now; Tiapolo had to be smashed up before next day, and my hands were pretty full, not only with preparations, but with argument.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading My house was like a mechanics’ debating society: Uma was so made up that I shouldn’t go into the bush by night, or that, if I did, I was never to come back again.
pearls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What was the use of casting my pearls before her?
preparations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well, I was committed now; Tiapolo had to be smashed up before next day, and my hands were pretty full, not only with preparations, but with argument.
pretty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well, I was committed now; Tiapolo had to be smashed up before next day, and my hands were pretty full, not only with preparations, but with argument.
Queen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You know her style of arguing: you’ve had a specimen about Queen Victoria and the devil; and I leave you to fancy if I was tired of it before dark.
shouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My house was like a mechanics’ debating society: Uma was so made up that I shouldn’t go into the bush by night, or that, if I did, I was never to come back again.
smashed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well, I was committed now; Tiapolo had to be smashed up before next day, and my hands were pretty full, not only with preparations, but with argument.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading My house was like a mechanics’ debating society: Uma was so made up that I shouldn’t go into the bush by night, or that, if I did, I was never to come back again.
society
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My house was like a mechanics’ debating society: Uma was so made up that I shouldn’t go into the bush by night, or that, if I did, I was never to come back again.
specimen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You know her style of arguing: you’ve had a specimen about Queen Victoria and the devil; and I leave you to fancy if I was tired of it before dark.
style
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You know her style of arguing: you’ve had a specimen about Queen Victoria and the devil; and I leave you to fancy if I was tired of it before dark.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading My house was like a mechanics’ debating society: Uma was so made up that I shouldn’t go into the bush by night, or that, if I did, I was never to come back again.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading My house was like a mechanics’ debating society: Uma was so made up that I shouldn’t go into the bush by night, or that, if I did, I was never to come back again.
Tiapolo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well, I was committed now; Tiapolo had to be smashed up before next day, and my hands were pretty full, not only with preparations, but with argument.
tired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You know her style of arguing: you’ve had a specimen about Queen Victoria and the devil; and I leave you to fancy if I was tired of it before dark.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Well, I was committed now; Tiapolo had to be smashed up before next day, and my hands were pretty full, not only with preparations, but with argument.
Uma
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My house was like a mechanics’ debating society: Uma was so made up that I shouldn’t go into the bush by night, or that, if I did, I was never to come back again.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well, I was committed now; Tiapolo had to be smashed up before next day, and my hands were pretty full, not only with preparations, but with argument.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What was the use of casting my pearls before her?
Victoria
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You know her style of arguing: you’ve had a specimen about Queen Victoria and the devil; and I leave you to fancy if I was tired of it before dark.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Well, I was committed now; Tiapolo had to be smashed up before next day, and my hands were pretty full, not only with preparations, but with argument.
Well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well, I was committed now; Tiapolo had to be smashed up before next day, and my hands were pretty full, not only with preparations, but with argument.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Well, I was committed now; Tiapolo had to be smashed up before next day, and my hands were pretty full, not only with preparations, but with argument.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What was the use of casting my pearls before her?
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Well, I was committed now; Tiapolo had to be smashed up before next day, and my hands were pretty full, not only with preparations, but with argument.
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You know her style of arguing: you’ve had a specimen about Queen Victoria and the devil; and I leave you to fancy if I was tired of it before dark.
you've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You know her style of arguing: you’ve had a specimen about Queen Victoria and the devil; and I leave you to fancy if I was tired of it before dark.
