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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 Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this house, where bread was not always to be got, it was difficult for her to indulge her caprices in the matter of costume, but she did wonders.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Her mass of blonde hair--the color of ripe wheat--looked around her temples as if it were powdered with gold.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Her mass of blonde hair--the color of ripe wheat--looked around her temples as if it were powdered with gold.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In this house, where bread was not always to be got, it was difficult for her to indulge her caprices in the matter of costume, but she did wonders.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading She had a quaint little trick of sticking out the tip of her tongue between her white teeth, and this habit, for some reason, exasperated her mother.
blonde
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her mass of blonde hair--the color of ripe wheat--looked around her temples as if it were powdered with gold.
bread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this house, where bread was not always to be got, it was difficult for her to indulge her caprices in the matter of costume, but she did wonders.
bright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In this house, where bread was not always to be got, it was difficult for her to indulge her caprices in the matter of costume, but she did wonders.
caprices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this house, where bread was not always to be got, it was difficult for her to indulge her caprices in the matter of costume, but she did wonders.
color
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her mass of blonde hair--the color of ripe wheat--looked around her temples as if it were powdered with gold.
coquettish
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From this reading She was very fond of finery and very coquettish.
costume
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this house, where bread was not always to be got, it was difficult for her to indulge her caprices in the matter of costume, but she did wonders.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading In this house, where bread was not always to be got, it was difficult for her to indulge her caprices in the matter of costume, but she did wonders.
difficult
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this house, where bread was not always to be got, it was difficult for her to indulge her caprices in the matter of costume, but she did wonders.
dimpled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
exasperated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had a quaint little trick of sticking out the tip of her tongue between her white teeth, and this habit, for some reason, exasperated her mother.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
fast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
finery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was very fond of finery and very coquettish.
fond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was very fond of finery and very coquettish.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She had a quaint little trick of sticking out the tip of her tongue between her white teeth, and this habit, for some reason, exasperated her mother.
fresh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
gold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her mass of blonde hair--the color of ripe wheat--looked around her temples as if it were powdered with gold.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this house, where bread was not always to be got, it was difficult for her to indulge her caprices in the matter of costume, but she did wonders.
growing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
habit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had a quaint little trick of sticking out the tip of her tongue between her white teeth, and this habit, for some reason, exasperated her mother.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had a quaint little trick of sticking out the tip of her tongue between her white teeth, and this habit, for some reason, exasperated her mother.
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her mass of blonde hair--the color of ripe wheat--looked around her temples as if it were powdered with gold.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this house, where bread was not always to be got, it was difficult for her to indulge her caprices in the matter of costume, but she did wonders.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In this house, where bread was not always to be got, it was difficult for her to indulge her caprices in the matter of costume, but she did wonders.
indulge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this house, where bread was not always to be got, it was difficult for her to indulge her caprices in the matter of costume, but she did wonders.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Her mass of blonde hair--the color of ripe wheat--looked around her temples as if it were powdered with gold.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She had a quaint little trick of sticking out the tip of her tongue between her white teeth, and this habit, for some reason, exasperated her mother.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her mass of blonde hair--the color of ripe wheat--looked around her temples as if it were powdered with gold.
mass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her mass of blonde hair--the color of ripe wheat--looked around her temples as if it were powdered with gold.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this house, where bread was not always to be got, it was difficult for her to indulge her caprices in the matter of costume, but she did wonders.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had a quaint little trick of sticking out the tip of her tongue between her white teeth, and this habit, for some reason, exasperated her mother.
Nana
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her mass of blonde hair--the color of ripe wheat--looked around her temples as if it were powdered with gold.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had a quaint little trick of sticking out the tip of her tongue between her white teeth, and this habit, for some reason, exasperated her mother.
peachverbUS /piːtʃ/
inform against or betray someone
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
pipes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
powdered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her mass of blonde hair--the color of ripe wheat--looked around her temples as if it were powdered with gold.
quaint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had a quaint little trick of sticking out the tip of her tongue between her white teeth, and this habit, for some reason, exasperated her mother.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had a quaint little trick of sticking out the tip of her tongue between her white teeth, and this habit, for some reason, exasperated her mother.
ripe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her mass of blonde hair--the color of ripe wheat--looked around her temples as if it were powdered with gold.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had a quaint little trick of sticking out the tip of her tongue between her white teeth, and this habit, for some reason, exasperated her mother.
skin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had a quaint little trick of sticking out the tip of her tongue between her white teeth, and this habit, for some reason, exasperated her mother.
sticking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had a quaint little trick of sticking out the tip of her tongue between her white teeth, and this habit, for some reason, exasperated her mother.
teeth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had a quaint little trick of sticking out the tip of her tongue between her white teeth, and this habit, for some reason, exasperated her mother.
temples
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her mass of blonde hair--the color of ripe wheat--looked around her temples as if it were powdered with gold.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Her mass of blonde hair--the color of ripe wheat--looked around her temples as if it were powdered with gold.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading She had a quaint little trick of sticking out the tip of her tongue between her white teeth, and this habit, for some reason, exasperated her mother.
tip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had a quaint little trick of sticking out the tip of her tongue between her white teeth, and this habit, for some reason, exasperated her mother.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In this house, where bread was not always to be got, it was difficult for her to indulge her caprices in the matter of costume, but she did wonders.
tonguenounUS /tongue/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She had a quaint little trick of sticking out the tip of her tongue between her white teeth, and this habit, for some reason, exasperated her mother.
trick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had a quaint little trick of sticking out the tip of her tongue between her white teeth, and this habit, for some reason, exasperated her mother.
velvety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was very fond of finery and very coquettish.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Nana was growing fast--fair, fresh and dimpled--her skin velvety, like a peach, and eyes so bright that men often asked her if they might not light their pipes at them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her mass of blonde hair--the color of ripe wheat--looked around her temples as if it were powdered with gold.
wheat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her mass of blonde hair--the color of ripe wheat--looked around her temples as if it were powdered with gold.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading In this house, where bread was not always to be got, it was difficult for her to indulge her caprices in the matter of costume, but she did wonders.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had a quaint little trick of sticking out the tip of her tongue between her white teeth, and this habit, for some reason, exasperated her mother.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Her mass of blonde hair--the color of ripe wheat--looked around her temples as if it were powdered with gold.
wonders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this house, where bread was not always to be got, it was difficult for her to indulge her caprices in the matter of costume, but she did wonders.
