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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 One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.
accepted
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From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.
affairs
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From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.
all
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From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.
breadth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.
completenounUS /complete/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.
conduct
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From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.
confided
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From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.
content
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From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.
depth
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From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.
despatch
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From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.
determining
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From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.
Dustman
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From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.
Dustman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.
earnestness
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From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.
employer
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From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.
explanation
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From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.
far
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From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.
getting
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From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.
Golden
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From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.
information
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.
inquisitive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.
intrusive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.
knowledge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.
lengthnounUS /leŋθ/
a period of time or extent
From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.
mark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.
master
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.
method
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.
MINDERS
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From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.
mistrusted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.
piece
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.
RE-MINDERS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.
Secretary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.
Secretary's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.
special
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.
submitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.
transacting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.
underlying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.
understanding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.
vigilance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.