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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 She was not a woman easily satisfied with evasive answers; but, nevertheless, he told her nothing of what had occurred, and left her simply in a bad humour.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading This conversation had taken place before dinner, but after dinner she asked him another question.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "No, I am not," said her son, angrily.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
angrily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "No, I am not," said her son, angrily.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading This conversation had taken place before dinner, but after dinner she asked him another question.
answer
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From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
answers
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From this reading She was not a woman easily satisfied with evasive answers; but, nevertheless, he told her nothing of what had occurred, and left her simply in a bad humour.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "John, you might as well tell me this; are you engaged to Margaret Mackenzie?"
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This conversation had taken place before dinner, but after dinner she asked him another question.
bad
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From this reading She was not a woman easily satisfied with evasive answers; but, nevertheless, he told her nothing of what had occurred, and left her simply in a bad humour.
Ball
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From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading This conversation had taken place before dinner, but after dinner she asked him another question.
Behaved
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From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She was not a woman easily satisfied with evasive answers; but, nevertheless, he told her nothing of what had occurred, and left her simply in a bad humour.
Cedars
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From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
conversation
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From this reading This conversation had taken place before dinner, but after dinner she asked him another question.
day's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
definite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
difficult
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This conversation had taken place before dinner, but after dinner she asked him another question.
easily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was not a woman easily satisfied with evasive answers; but, nevertheless, he told her nothing of what had occurred, and left her simply in a bad humour.
engaged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "John, you might as well tell me this; are you engaged to Margaret Mackenzie?"
evasive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was not a woman easily satisfied with evasive answers; but, nevertheless, he told her nothing of what had occurred, and left her simply in a bad humour.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was not a woman easily satisfied with evasive answers; but, nevertheless, he told her nothing of what had occurred, and left her simply in a bad humour.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This conversation had taken place before dinner, but after dinner she asked him another question.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
humour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was not a woman easily satisfied with evasive answers; but, nevertheless, he told her nothing of what had occurred, and left her simply in a bad humour.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "No, I am not," said her son, angrily.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
inquiries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "John, you might as well tell me this; are you engaged to Margaret Mackenzie?"
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She was not a woman easily satisfied with evasive answers; but, nevertheless, he told her nothing of what had occurred, and left her simply in a bad humour.
London
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
Lovers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
Mackenzie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "John, you might as well tell me this; are you engaged to Margaret Mackenzie?"
Mackenzie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "John, you might as well tell me this; are you engaged to Margaret Mackenzie?"
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "John, you might as well tell me this; are you engaged to Margaret Mackenzie?"
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading "John, you might as well tell me this; are you engaged to Margaret Mackenzie?"
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
mother's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
neverthelessadverbUS /ˌnevərðəˈles/
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading She was not a woman easily satisfied with evasive answers; but, nevertheless, he told her nothing of what had occurred, and left her simply in a bad humour.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She was not a woman easily satisfied with evasive answers; but, nevertheless, he told her nothing of what had occurred, and left her simply in a bad humour.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading She was not a woman easily satisfied with evasive answers; but, nevertheless, he told her nothing of what had occurred, and left her simply in a bad humour.
occurred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was not a woman easily satisfied with evasive answers; but, nevertheless, he told her nothing of what had occurred, and left her simply in a bad humour.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This conversation had taken place before dinner, but after dinner she asked him another question.
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading This conversation had taken place before dinner, but after dinner she asked him another question.
reply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "No, I am not," said her son, angrily.
satisfied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was not a woman easily satisfied with evasive answers; but, nevertheless, he told her nothing of what had occurred, and left her simply in a bad humour.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was not a woman easily satisfied with evasive answers; but, nevertheless, he told her nothing of what had occurred, and left her simply in a bad humour.
Showing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
simply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was not a woman easily satisfied with evasive answers; but, nevertheless, he told her nothing of what had occurred, and left her simply in a bad humour.
son
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "No, I am not," said her son, angrily.
suffice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This conversation had taken place before dinner, but after dinner she asked him another question.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "John, you might as well tell me this; are you engaged to Margaret Mackenzie?"
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This conversation had taken place before dinner, but after dinner she asked him another question.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She was not a woman easily satisfied with evasive answers; but, nevertheless, he told her nothing of what had occurred, and left her simply in a bad humour.
Two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was not a woman easily satisfied with evasive answers; but, nevertheless, he told her nothing of what had occurred, and left her simply in a bad humour.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "John, you might as well tell me this; are you engaged to Margaret Mackenzie?"
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She was not a woman easily satisfied with evasive answers; but, nevertheless, he told her nothing of what had occurred, and left her simply in a bad humour.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading She was not a woman easily satisfied with evasive answers; but, nevertheless, he told her nothing of what had occurred, and left her simply in a bad humour.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was not a woman easily satisfied with evasive answers; but, nevertheless, he told her nothing of what had occurred, and left her simply in a bad humour.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Showing How Two of Miss Mackenzie's Lovers Behaved Mr Ball, on his return home to the Cedars, had given no definite answer to his mother's inquiries as to the day's work in London, and had found it difficult to make any reply to her that would for the moment suffice.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "John, you might as well tell me this; are you engaged to Margaret Mackenzie?"