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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 A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
action
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From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.
all
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From this reading Almost all that could be said in his favour was negative.
Almost
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From this reading Almost all that could be said in his favour was negative.
any
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From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Almost all that could be said in his favour was negative.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had never been involved in any discreditable transaction; he had wronged nobody; he had not even bored his friends.
bore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.
bored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had never been involved in any discreditable transaction; he had wronged nobody; he had not even bored his friends.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.
certain
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From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.
confided
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From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Almost all that could be said in his favour was negative.
curiosity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
daughter's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
discreditable
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From this reading He had never been involved in any discreditable transaction; he had wronged nobody; he had not even bored his friends.
Edward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
England
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had never been involved in any discreditable transaction; he had wronged nobody; he had not even bored his friends.
excitedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪd/
very enthusiastic or eager
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
Fanshawe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
favour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost all that could be said in his favour was negative.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.
friends
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From this reading He had never been involved in any discreditable transaction; he had wronged nobody; he had not even bored his friends.
funeral
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
happiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
harm
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From this reading There was no harm in him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had never been involved in any discreditable transaction; he had wronged nobody; he had not even bored his friends.
Heriot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
Heriot's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There was no harm in him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
indeed
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From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.
individual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
instinct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.
involved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had never been involved in any discreditable transaction; he had wronged nobody; he had not even bored his friends.
Jean's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
moral
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
negative
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From this reading Almost all that could be said in his favour was negative.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had never been involved in any discreditable transaction; he had wronged nobody; he had not even bored his friends.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading There was no harm in him.
nobodypronounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/
no person; not anyone
From this reading He had never been involved in any discreditable transaction; he had wronged nobody; he had not even bored his friends.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had never been involved in any discreditable transaction; he had wronged nobody; he had not even bored his friends.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
Pitcomlie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
plan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.
possessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.
principles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.
qualities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.
respect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.
rule
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.
said
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From this reading Almost all that could be said in his favour was negative.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.
strongly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Almost all that could be said in his favour was negative.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no harm in him.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A certain fine instinct, indeed, in this respect, possessed the man; he had no high moral qualities, no principles to speak of, no plan of life nor rule of action; but he was never a bore.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
Tom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
transaction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had never been involved in any discreditable transaction; he had wronged nobody; he had not even bored his friends.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Edward Fanshawe, the individual whose appearance at Tom Heriot’s funeral had excited Miss Jean’s curiosity so strongly, was, perhaps, about the last man in England to whom Mr. Heriot of Pitcomlie, or any other father, would have confided his daughter’s happiness.
wronged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had never been involved in any discreditable transaction; he had wronged nobody; he had not even bored his friends.
