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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 The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I am wholly unacquainted with it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
bearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
bringing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Man, man,’ said Mr Dorrit, turning upon him with grievous indignation, ‘explain your motive in bringing me this ridiculous name.
Butler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
card
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
Chief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
deference
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The servant waited in speechless deference.
Dorrit
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From this reading Mr Dorrit, taking it, read: ‘Mrs Finching.’
Dorrit's
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From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
dress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
dressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
explain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Man, man,’ said Mr Dorrit, turning upon him with grievous indignation, ‘explain your motive in bringing me this ridiculous name.
expressly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
Finching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Dorrit, taking it, read: ‘Mrs Finching.’
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
grievousadjectiveUS /ˈɡriːvəs/
very serious and causing great pain or suffering
From this reading ‘Man, man,’ said Mr Dorrit, turning upon him with grievous indignation, ‘explain your motive in bringing me this ridiculous name.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
hotel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I am wholly unacquainted with it.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The servant waited in speechless deference.
indignation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Man, man,’ said Mr Dorrit, turning upon him with grievous indignation, ‘explain your motive in bringing me this ridiculous name.
inspection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Mr Dorrit, taking it, read: ‘Mrs Finching.’
Man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Man, man,’ said Mr Dorrit, turning upon him with grievous indignation, ‘explain your motive in bringing me this ridiculous name.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ‘Man, man,’ said Mr Dorrit, turning upon him with grievous indignation, ‘explain your motive in bringing me this ridiculous name.
motive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Man, man,’ said Mr Dorrit, turning upon him with grievous indignation, ‘explain your motive in bringing me this ridiculous name.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Dorrit, taking it, read: ‘Mrs Finching.’
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Man, man,’ said Mr Dorrit, turning upon him with grievous indignation, ‘explain your motive in bringing me this ridiculous name.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
presented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Dorrit, taking it, read: ‘Mrs Finching.’
ridiculous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Man, man,’ said Mr Dorrit, turning upon him with grievous indignation, ‘explain your motive in bringing me this ridiculous name.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Man, man,’ said Mr Dorrit, turning upon him with grievous indignation, ‘explain your motive in bringing me this ridiculous name.
servant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The servant waited in speechless deference.
servants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
speechless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The servant waited in speechless deference.
taking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Dorrit, taking it, read: ‘Mrs Finching.’
term
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading ‘Man, man,’ said Mr Dorrit, turning upon him with grievous indignation, ‘explain your motive in bringing me this ridiculous name.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
turning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Man, man,’ said Mr Dorrit, turning upon him with grievous indignation, ‘explain your motive in bringing me this ridiculous name.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
unacquainted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I am wholly unacquainted with it.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading ‘Man, man,’ said Mr Dorrit, turning upon him with grievous indignation, ‘explain your motive in bringing me this ridiculous name.
victims
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
visit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
waited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The servant waited in speechless deference.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
wholly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I am wholly unacquainted with it.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading ‘Man, man,’ said Mr Dorrit, turning upon him with grievous indignation, ‘explain your motive in bringing me this ridiculous name.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading The term of Mr Dorrit’s visit was within two days of being out, and he was about to dress for another inspection by the Chief Butler (whose victims were always dressed expressly for him), when one of the servants of the hotel presented himself bearing a card.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ‘Man, man,’ said Mr Dorrit, turning upon him with grievous indignation, ‘explain your motive in bringing me this ridiculous name.
