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Re-creations
Re-creations

Chapter VI

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Context Illustration Reading 1/36 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“Nell!”
There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
“It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.
“Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Re-creations

Chapter VI

Reading 1/36 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
“Nell!”
Line 2
There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.
Line 3
But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.
Line 4
“It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.
Line 5
“Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.”

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.”

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.”

Burn verb US /bɜːrn/

To consume or be consumed by fire.

From this reading ““Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.”

Forward noun US /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading ““Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.”

Remember verb US /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading “There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading ““Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.”

Steaming noun US /ˈsteaming/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.”

All words in this reading · 97

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

afraid

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.

all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

bit

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

boy's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

brief

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.

burnverbUS /bɜːrn/

To consume or be consumed by fire.

From this reading “Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

came

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

Carey

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.

casual

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.

cheek

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.

clean

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.

Cornelia

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

delight

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

disapprove

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

dishes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.

down

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.

eyes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.

family

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

forwardnounUS /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

genuine

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

gravy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.

gravy-boat

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.

greet

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

hand

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

heartily

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

hesitancy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

hot

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.

I'm

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

intent

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.

it'll

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.

It's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.

luscious

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.

much

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

Nell

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Nell!”

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.

other

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.

perhaps

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

pile

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.

plates

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.

possible

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.

probably

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

putting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.

rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

rosy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.

said

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.

see

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.

seem

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.

shamed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

shyly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

situation

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.

Sorry

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.

spilling

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.

steamingnounUS /ˈsteaming/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.

stove

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Sorry to seem brief; but I have something luscious on the stove, and I’m afraid it’ll burn.

tablecloth

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

There

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

tone

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

treacherous

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.

trying

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.

turned

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.

up

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.

warm

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading But Cornelia, with the steaming gravy-boat in one hand and a pile of hot plates in the other, turned a warm, rosy cheek up to him, her eyes still intent on putting down the dishes without spilling the treacherous gravy on the clean tablecloth.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading There was genuine delight in the boy’s tone as he came forward to greet her, shyly, perhaps, and with a bit of shamed hesitancy because he could not but remember that the family had probably told her all about him, and she would of course disapprove of him as much as they did.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “It’s great to see you again, Carey,” she said heartily, trying to make the situation as casual as possible.