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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 The general view was that such a deplorable accident could and should have been impossible.
accident
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From this reading The general view was that such a deplorable accident could and should have been impossible.
affair
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From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
ago
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From this reading Every one remembered having long ago thought that the old-fashioned windows were unsafe, and having wondered why precautions had never been taken.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The general view was that such a deplorable accident could and should have been impossible.
any
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From this reading Every one, the first horror over, canvassed the result of the unavoidable inquest, and speculated whether any one would be censured for carelessness.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Every one, the first horror over, canvassed the result of the unavoidable inquest, and speculated whether any one would be censured for carelessness.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The general view was that such a deplorable accident could and should have been impossible.
business
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From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
canvassed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one, the first horror over, canvassed the result of the unavoidable inquest, and speculated whether any one would be censured for carelessness.
carelessness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one, the first horror over, canvassed the result of the unavoidable inquest, and speculated whether any one would be censured for carelessness.
censured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one, the first horror over, canvassed the result of the unavoidable inquest, and speculated whether any one would be censured for carelessness.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The general view was that such a deplorable accident could and should have been impossible.
day
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From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
death
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From this reading The sudden death of Louise Denny had shocked, each in her degree, every member of the staff.
degree
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From this reading The sudden death of Louise Denny had shocked, each in her degree, every member of the staff.
Denny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sudden death of Louise Denny had shocked, each in her degree, every member of the staff.
deplorable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The general view was that such a deplorable accident could and should have been impossible.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
dressing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The sudden death of Louise Denny had shocked, each in her degree, every member of the staff.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The sudden death of Louise Denny had shocked, each in her degree, every member of the staff.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Every one, the first horror over, canvassed the result of the unavoidable inquest, and speculated whether any one would be censured for carelessness.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Every one, the first horror over, canvassed the result of the unavoidable inquest, and speculated whether any one would be censured for carelessness.
forgottenadjectiveUS /fərˈɡɑːt.n̩/
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
general
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The general view was that such a deplorable accident could and should have been impossible.
guard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The sudden death of Louise Denny had shocked, each in her degree, every member of the staff.
half-heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The general view was that such a deplorable accident could and should have been impossible.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Every one remembered having long ago thought that the old-fashioned windows were unsafe, and having wondered why precautions had never been taken.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The sudden death of Louise Denny had shocked, each in her degree, every member of the staff.
horror
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one, the first horror over, canvassed the result of the unavoidable inquest, and speculated whether any one would be censured for carelessness.
horror-strickenadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːrər ˌstrɪkən/
suddenly filled with extreme fear
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
hushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
implicate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
impossible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The general view was that such a deplorable accident could and should have been impossible.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The sudden death of Louise Denny had shocked, each in her degree, every member of the staff.
inquest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one, the first horror over, canvassed the result of the unavoidable inquest, and speculated whether any one would be censured for carelessness.
insistently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
inwardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Every one remembered having long ago thought that the old-fashioned windows were unsafe, and having wondered why precautions had never been taken.
Louise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sudden death of Louise Denny had shocked, each in her degree, every member of the staff.
member
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sudden death of Louise Denny had shocked, each in her degree, every member of the staff.
memoriesnounUS /ˈmɛm.ə.riz/
Recollections of past events.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
mistresses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Every one remembered having long ago thought that the old-fashioned windows were unsafe, and having wondered why precautions had never been taken.
nobody's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The sudden death of Louise Denny had shocked, each in her degree, every member of the staff.
old-fashioned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one remembered having long ago thought that the old-fashioned windows were unsafe, and having wondered why precautions had never been taken.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Every one remembered having long ago thought that the old-fashioned windows were unsafe, and having wondered why precautions had never been taken.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Every one, the first horror over, canvassed the result of the unavoidable inquest, and speculated whether any one would be censured for carelessness.
particular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
perchance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
precautionsplural nounUS /prɪˈkɔʃənz/
actions taken to prevent danger
From this reading Every one remembered having long ago thought that the old-fashioned windows were unsafe, and having wondered why precautions had never been taken.
proclaiming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
promise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
ransacked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
recall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/
a feeling of comfort after worry or pain
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
relieving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
remembered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one remembered having long ago thought that the old-fashioned windows were unsafe, and having wondered why precautions had never been taken.
remote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
result
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one, the first horror over, canvassed the result of the unavoidable inquest, and speculated whether any one would be censured for carelessness.
shocked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sudden death of Louise Denny had shocked, each in her degree, every member of the staff.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading The general view was that such a deplorable accident could and should have been impossible.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
speculated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one, the first horror over, canvassed the result of the unavoidable inquest, and speculated whether any one would be censured for carelessness.
spent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
staff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sudden death of Louise Denny had shocked, each in her degree, every member of the staff.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
substitute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The general view was that such a deplorable accident could and should have been impossible.
suddennounUS /sudden/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The sudden death of Louise Denny had shocked, each in her degree, every member of the staff.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one remembered having long ago thought that the old-fashioned windows were unsafe, and having wondered why precautions had never been taken.
telling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The general view was that such a deplorable accident could and should have been impossible.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The sudden death of Louise Denny had shocked, each in her degree, every member of the staff.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Every one remembered having long ago thought that the old-fashioned windows were unsafe, and having wondered why precautions had never been taken.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
triflenounUS /ˈtraɪfəl/
something that needs very little effort
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
unavoidable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one, the first horror over, canvassed the result of the unavoidable inquest, and speculated whether any one would be censured for carelessness.
unsafe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one remembered having long ago thought that the old-fashioned windows were unsafe, and having wondered why precautions had never been taken.
view
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The general view was that such a deplorable accident could and should have been impossible.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The general view was that such a deplorable accident could and should have been impossible.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Every one remembered having long ago thought that the old-fashioned windows were unsafe, and having wondered why precautions had never been taken.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Every one, the first horror over, canvassed the result of the unavoidable inquest, and speculated whether any one would be censured for carelessness.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one remembered having long ago thought that the old-fashioned windows were unsafe, and having wondered why precautions had never been taken.
windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one remembered having long ago thought that the old-fashioned windows were unsafe, and having wondered why precautions had never been taken.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
wonderednounUS /wondered/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Every one remembered having long ago thought that the old-fashioned windows were unsafe, and having wondered why precautions had never been taken.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Every one, the first horror over, canvassed the result of the unavoidable inquest, and speculated whether any one would be censured for carelessness.
younger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The younger mistresses were so sure that it was nobody's business to be on duty in the dressing-room at that particular hour that they spent the rest of the hushed, horror-stricken day in telling each other so, proclaiming, a trifle too insistently, their relief that they at least had nothing, however remote, to do with the affair: while inwardly they ransacked their memories to recall if perchance some half-heard order, some forgotten promise of standing substitute or relieving guard could, at the last moment, implicate them.
