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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 It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
abandoned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the gesture of an ardent housekeeper burning incense before the Gods of Domesticity, the abandoned devotion of an artist striving for perfection.
all
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From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
ardent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the gesture of an ardent housekeeper burning incense before the Gods of Domesticity, the abandoned devotion of an artist striving for perfection.
artist
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From this reading It was the gesture of an ardent housekeeper burning incense before the Gods of Domesticity, the abandoned devotion of an artist striving for perfection.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was the gesture of an ardent housekeeper burning incense before the Gods of Domesticity, the abandoned devotion of an artist striving for perfection.
black
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From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
brain
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From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
bridge
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From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
building
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From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
burning
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From this reading It was the gesture of an ardent housekeeper burning incense before the Gods of Domesticity, the abandoned devotion of an artist striving for perfection.
character
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From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
cheeks
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From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
clever
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From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
consider
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From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
considered
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From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
descendednounUS /ˈdescended/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
devotion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the gesture of an ardent housekeeper burning incense before the Gods of Domesticity, the abandoned devotion of an artist striving for perfection.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
Domesticity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the gesture of an ardent housekeeper burning incense before the Gods of Domesticity, the abandoned devotion of an artist striving for perfection.
dominated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
doorway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
easily
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From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
Ellen
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From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
energy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
face
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From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
force
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
fork
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
gesture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the gesture of an ardent housekeeper burning incense before the Gods of Domesticity, the abandoned devotion of an artist striving for perfection.
Gods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the gesture of an ardent housekeeper burning incense before the Gods of Domesticity, the abandoned devotion of an artist striving for perfection.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
healthy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
housekeeper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the gesture of an ardent housekeeper burning incense before the Gods of Domesticity, the abandoned devotion of an artist striving for perfection.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
impossible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
incense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the gesture of an ardent housekeeper burning incense before the Gods of Domesticity, the abandoned devotion of an artist striving for perfection.
instant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
intensity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
involved
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From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
Lily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
marking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
operation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
parent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
perfection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the gesture of an ardent housekeeper burning incense before the Gods of Domesticity, the abandoned devotion of an artist striving for perfection.
placing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
precision
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From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
recesses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
rosiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
setting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
skyscraper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
somewhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
stranger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
striving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the gesture of an ardent housekeeper burning incense before the Gods of Domesticity, the abandoned devotion of an artist striving for perfection.
strong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
supper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
thoroughness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
thoughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
threw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
Tolliver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
vigorous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
watching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
woman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
