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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 He had taken a house in Sherwood Square, where there is a space and breeziness that the fashionable districts could not possibly allow.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The square sits on top of one of the highest hills in London, and entrenches itself as a fortress against the poverty and squalor that are creeping up the hill towards it.
allow
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From this reading He had taken a house in Sherwood Square, where there is a space and breeziness that the fashionable districts could not possibly allow.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had taken a house in Sherwood Square, where there is a space and breeziness that the fashionable districts could not possibly allow.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The square sits on top of one of the highest hills in London, and entrenches itself as a fortress against the poverty and squalor that are creeping up the hill towards it.
AroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Around the square there are still gardens and crescents and roads of consideration, but ever dwindling in social status as one goes down the hill, till the consideration vanishes in the degradation of cheap boarding-houses and the homes of Jews of the shopkeeping classes.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The square sits on top of one of the highest hills in London, and entrenches itself as a fortress against the poverty and squalor that are creeping up the hill towards it.
BLUE
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From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
boarding-houses
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From this reading Around the square there are still gardens and crescents and roads of consideration, but ever dwindling in social status as one goes down the hill, till the consideration vanishes in the degradation of cheap boarding-houses and the homes of Jews of the shopkeeping classes.
breeziness
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From this reading He had taken a house in Sherwood Square, where there is a space and breeziness that the fashionable districts could not possibly allow.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Around the square there are still gardens and crescents and roads of consideration, but ever dwindling in social status as one goes down the hill, till the consideration vanishes in the degradation of cheap boarding-houses and the homes of Jews of the shopkeeping classes.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
cheap
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From this reading Around the square there are still gardens and crescents and roads of consideration, but ever dwindling in social status as one goes down the hill, till the consideration vanishes in the degradation of cheap boarding-houses and the homes of Jews of the shopkeeping classes.
classes
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From this reading Around the square there are still gardens and crescents and roads of consideration, but ever dwindling in social status as one goes down the hill, till the consideration vanishes in the degradation of cheap boarding-houses and the homes of Jews of the shopkeeping classes.
consideration
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From this reading Around the square there are still gardens and crescents and roads of consideration, but ever dwindling in social status as one goes down the hill, till the consideration vanishes in the degradation of cheap boarding-houses and the homes of Jews of the shopkeeping classes.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He had taken a house in Sherwood Square, where there is a space and breeziness that the fashionable districts could not possibly allow.
creeping
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From this reading The square sits on top of one of the highest hills in London, and entrenches itself as a fortress against the poverty and squalor that are creeping up the hill towards it.
crescents
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From this reading Around the square there are still gardens and crescents and roads of consideration, but ever dwindling in social status as one goes down the hill, till the consideration vanishes in the degradation of cheap boarding-houses and the homes of Jews of the shopkeeping classes.
degradation
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From this reading Around the square there are still gardens and crescents and roads of consideration, but ever dwindling in social status as one goes down the hill, till the consideration vanishes in the degradation of cheap boarding-houses and the homes of Jews of the shopkeeping classes.
Denis
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From this reading Sir Denis had discovered Sherwood Square for himself, and was uncommonly proud of it.
Denis's
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From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
discovered
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From this reading Sir Denis had discovered Sherwood Square for himself, and was uncommonly proud of it.
districts
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From this reading He had taken a house in Sherwood Square, where there is a space and breeziness that the fashionable districts could not possibly allow.
Dowager's
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From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
down
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From this reading Around the square there are still gardens and crescents and roads of consideration, but ever dwindling in social status as one goes down the hill, till the consideration vanishes in the degradation of cheap boarding-houses and the homes of Jews of the shopkeeping classes.
dwindling
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From this reading Around the square there are still gardens and crescents and roads of consideration, but ever dwindling in social status as one goes down the hill, till the consideration vanishes in the degradation of cheap boarding-houses and the homes of Jews of the shopkeeping classes.
entrenches
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From this reading The square sits on top of one of the highest hills in London, and entrenches itself as a fortress against the poverty and squalor that are creeping up the hill towards it.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Around the square there are still gardens and crescents and roads of consideration, but ever dwindling in social status as one goes down the hill, till the consideration vanishes in the degradation of cheap boarding-houses and the homes of Jews of the shopkeeping classes.
fashionable
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From this reading He had taken a house in Sherwood Square, where there is a space and breeziness that the fashionable districts could not possibly allow.
fear
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From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
following
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
forgot
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From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
fortress
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From this reading The square sits on top of one of the highest hills in London, and entrenches itself as a fortress against the poverty and squalor that are creeping up the hill towards it.
gardens
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From this reading Around the square there are still gardens and crescents and roads of consideration, but ever dwindling in social status as one goes down the hill, till the consideration vanishes in the degradation of cheap boarding-houses and the homes of Jews of the shopkeeping classes.
goes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Around the square there are still gardens and crescents and roads of consideration, but ever dwindling in social status as one goes down the hill, till the consideration vanishes in the degradation of cheap boarding-houses and the homes of Jews of the shopkeeping classes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had taken a house in Sherwood Square, where there is a space and breeziness that the fashionable districts could not possibly allow.
half-dozen
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From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
highest
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From this reading The square sits on top of one of the highest hills in London, and entrenches itself as a fortress against the poverty and squalor that are creeping up the hill towards it.
hill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The square sits on top of one of the highest hills in London, and entrenches itself as a fortress against the poverty and squalor that are creeping up the hill towards it.
hills
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From this reading The square sits on top of one of the highest hills in London, and entrenches itself as a fortress against the poverty and squalor that are creeping up the hill towards it.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Sir Denis had discovered Sherwood Square for himself, and was uncommonly proud of it.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
homes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Around the square there are still gardens and crescents and roads of consideration, but ever dwindling in social status as one goes down the hill, till the consideration vanishes in the degradation of cheap boarding-houses and the homes of Jews of the shopkeeping classes.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had taken a house in Sherwood Square, where there is a space and breeziness that the fashionable districts could not possibly allow.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had taken a house in Sherwood Square, where there is a space and breeziness that the fashionable districts could not possibly allow.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The square sits on top of one of the highest hills in London, and entrenches itself as a fortress against the poverty and squalor that are creeping up the hill towards it.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The square sits on top of one of the highest hills in London, and entrenches itself as a fortress against the poverty and squalor that are creeping up the hill towards it.
Jews
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Around the square there are still gardens and crescents and roads of consideration, but ever dwindling in social status as one goes down the hill, till the consideration vanishes in the degradation of cheap boarding-houses and the homes of Jews of the shopkeeping classes.
London
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
losing
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From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
Nelly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had taken a house in Sherwood Square, where there is a space and breeziness that the fashionable districts could not possibly allow.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The square sits on top of one of the highest hills in London, and entrenches itself as a fortress against the poverty and squalor that are creeping up the hill towards it.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The square sits on top of one of the highest hills in London, and entrenches itself as a fortress against the poverty and squalor that are creeping up the hill towards it.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
peace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
periods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
possibly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had taken a house in Sherwood Square, where there is a space and breeziness that the fashionable districts could not possibly allow.
poverty
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From this reading The square sits on top of one of the highest hills in London, and entrenches itself as a fortress against the poverty and squalor that are creeping up the hill towards it.
proud
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From this reading Sir Denis had discovered Sherwood Square for himself, and was uncommonly proud of it.
retirement
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From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
RIBBON
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
roads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Around the square there are still gardens and crescents and roads of consideration, but ever dwindling in social status as one goes down the hill, till the consideration vanishes in the degradation of cheap boarding-houses and the homes of Jews of the shopkeeping classes.
Sherwood
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From this reading He had taken a house in Sherwood Square, where there is a space and breeziness that the fashionable districts could not possibly allow.
shopkeeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Around the square there are still gardens and crescents and roads of consideration, but ever dwindling in social status as one goes down the hill, till the consideration vanishes in the degradation of cheap boarding-houses and the homes of Jews of the shopkeeping classes.
Sir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
sits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The square sits on top of one of the highest hills in London, and entrenches itself as a fortress against the poverty and squalor that are creeping up the hill towards it.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
social
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From this reading Around the square there are still gardens and crescents and roads of consideration, but ever dwindling in social status as one goes down the hill, till the consideration vanishes in the degradation of cheap boarding-houses and the homes of Jews of the shopkeeping classes.
space
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had taken a house in Sherwood Square, where there is a space and breeziness that the fashionable districts could not possibly allow.
squalor
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From this reading The square sits on top of one of the highest hills in London, and entrenches itself as a fortress against the poverty and squalor that are creeping up the hill towards it.
Square
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had taken a house in Sherwood Square, where there is a space and breeziness that the fashionable districts could not possibly allow.
status
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Around the square there are still gardens and crescents and roads of consideration, but ever dwindling in social status as one goes down the hill, till the consideration vanishes in the degradation of cheap boarding-houses and the homes of Jews of the shopkeeping classes.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Around the square there are still gardens and crescents and roads of consideration, but ever dwindling in social status as one goes down the hill, till the consideration vanishes in the degradation of cheap boarding-houses and the homes of Jews of the shopkeeping classes.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had taken a house in Sherwood Square, where there is a space and breeziness that the fashionable districts could not possibly allow.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had taken a house in Sherwood Square, where there is a space and breeziness that the fashionable districts could not possibly allow.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had taken a house in Sherwood Square, where there is a space and breeziness that the fashionable districts could not possibly allow.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Around the square there are still gardens and crescents and roads of consideration, but ever dwindling in social status as one goes down the hill, till the consideration vanishes in the degradation of cheap boarding-houses and the homes of Jews of the shopkeeping classes.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The square sits on top of one of the highest hills in London, and entrenches itself as a fortress against the poverty and squalor that are creeping up the hill towards it.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading The square sits on top of one of the highest hills in London, and entrenches itself as a fortress against the poverty and squalor that are creeping up the hill towards it.
uncommonly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Denis had discovered Sherwood Square for himself, and was uncommonly proud of it.
up
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From this reading The square sits on top of one of the highest hills in London, and entrenches itself as a fortress against the poverty and squalor that are creeping up the hill towards it.
vanishes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Around the square there are still gardens and crescents and roads of consideration, but ever dwindling in social status as one goes down the hill, till the consideration vanishes in the degradation of cheap boarding-houses and the homes of Jews of the shopkeeping classes.
visits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Sir Denis had discovered Sherwood Square for himself, and was uncommonly proud of it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading He had taken a house in Sherwood Square, where there is a space and breeziness that the fashionable districts could not possibly allow.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BLUE RIBBON The half-dozen years or so following Sir Denis's retirement were years of peace, in which he forgot for long periods, broken only by the Dowager's visits to London, his fear of losing his Nelly.
