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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 Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
alarm
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From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
all
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From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
also
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From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
anticipation
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From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
appalled
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From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
Arthur
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From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
away
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From this reading He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.
Bates
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From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
bride
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From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
came
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From this reading He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/
two people or things considered together
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
detailsnounUS /ˈdetails/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.
distressnounUS /dɪˈstrɛs/
extreme sadness or suffering
From this reading He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.
Durant
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From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.
frightening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
frivolous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
live
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
marriage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
Matilda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
morning's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
Nancy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
natural
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
naturally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
perplexity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
proud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
Sarah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
selfish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
sensible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
slurred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
stages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.
striking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
succeeded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
throw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
vaguely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.
worse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.