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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 Whenever a summons of this kind is answered quickly it betokens either that the inmates are in a nervous state or are in dread or expectation of important news.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A peaceful household takes things more calmly, and is content to let the telegraph messenger cool his heels on the doorstep.
answerednounUS /ˈanswered/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Whenever a summons of this kind is answered quickly it betokens either that the inmates are in a nervous state or are in dread or expectation of important news.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Whenever a summons of this kind is answered quickly it betokens either that the inmates are in a nervous state or are in dread or expectation of important news.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I did not expect this household to be at peace with itself, nor did I wish it, for such a state of things would have augured ill for the success of my expedition.
augured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not expect this household to be at peace with itself, nor did I wish it, for such a state of things would have augured ill for the success of my expedition.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I did not expect this household to be at peace with itself, nor did I wish it, for such a state of things would have augured ill for the success of my expedition.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The woman who answered the summons held a candle in her hand, and there was nothing particularly clever in my jumping at the conclusion that Louis' mother stood before me.
betokens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whenever a summons of this kind is answered quickly it betokens either that the inmates are in a nervous state or are in dread or expectation of important news.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I was therefore pleased to hear a rush of footsteps in the passage, followed by the swift opening of the street door.
calmly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A peaceful household takes things more calmly, and is content to let the telegraph messenger cool his heels on the doorstep.
candle
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From this reading The woman who answered the summons held a candle in her hand, and there was nothing particularly clever in my jumping at the conclusion that Louis' mother stood before me.
clever
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The woman who answered the summons held a candle in her hand, and there was nothing particularly clever in my jumping at the conclusion that Louis' mother stood before me.
conclusion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The woman who answered the summons held a candle in her hand, and there was nothing particularly clever in my jumping at the conclusion that Louis' mother stood before me.
content
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A peaceful household takes things more calmly, and is content to let the telegraph messenger cool his heels on the doorstep.
cool
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From this reading A peaceful household takes things more calmly, and is content to let the telegraph messenger cool his heels on the doorstep.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I did not expect this household to be at peace with itself, nor did I wish it, for such a state of things would have augured ill for the success of my expedition.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was therefore pleased to hear a rush of footsteps in the passage, followed by the swift opening of the street door.
doorstep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A peaceful household takes things more calmly, and is content to let the telegraph messenger cool his heels on the doorstep.
dread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whenever a summons of this kind is answered quickly it betokens either that the inmates are in a nervous state or are in dread or expectation of important news.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading Whenever a summons of this kind is answered quickly it betokens either that the inmates are in a nervous state or are in dread or expectation of important news.
expectverbUS /ɪkˈspekt/
to think that something will happen
From this reading I did not expect this household to be at peace with itself, nor did I wish it, for such a state of things would have augured ill for the success of my expedition.
expectation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whenever a summons of this kind is answered quickly it betokens either that the inmates are in a nervous state or are in dread or expectation of important news.
expedition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not expect this household to be at peace with itself, nor did I wish it, for such a state of things would have augured ill for the success of my expedition.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was therefore pleased to hear a rush of footsteps in the passage, followed by the swift opening of the street door.
footsteps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was therefore pleased to hear a rush of footsteps in the passage, followed by the swift opening of the street door.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I did not expect this household to be at peace with itself, nor did I wish it, for such a state of things would have augured ill for the success of my expedition.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The woman who answered the summons held a candle in her hand, and there was nothing particularly clever in my jumping at the conclusion that Louis' mother stood before me.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I did not expect this household to be at peace with itself, nor did I wish it, for such a state of things would have augured ill for the success of my expedition.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I was therefore pleased to hear a rush of footsteps in the passage, followed by the swift opening of the street door.
heels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A peaceful household takes things more calmly, and is content to let the telegraph messenger cool his heels on the doorstep.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The woman who answered the summons held a candle in her hand, and there was nothing particularly clever in my jumping at the conclusion that Louis' mother stood before me.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The woman who answered the summons held a candle in her hand, and there was nothing particularly clever in my jumping at the conclusion that Louis' mother stood before me.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A peaceful household takes things more calmly, and is content to let the telegraph messenger cool his heels on the doorstep.
household
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A peaceful household takes things more calmly, and is content to let the telegraph messenger cool his heels on the doorstep.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I did not expect this household to be at peace with itself, nor did I wish it, for such a state of things would have augured ill for the success of my expedition.
ill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not expect this household to be at peace with itself, nor did I wish it, for such a state of things would have augured ill for the success of my expedition.
important
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whenever a summons of this kind is answered quickly it betokens either that the inmates are in a nervous state or are in dread or expectation of important news.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Whenever a summons of this kind is answered quickly it betokens either that the inmates are in a nervous state or are in dread or expectation of important news.
inmates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whenever a summons of this kind is answered quickly it betokens either that the inmates are in a nervous state or are in dread or expectation of important news.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Whenever a summons of this kind is answered quickly it betokens either that the inmates are in a nervous state or are in dread or expectation of important news.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Whenever a summons of this kind is answered quickly it betokens either that the inmates are in a nervous state or are in dread or expectation of important news.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading I did not expect this household to be at peace with itself, nor did I wish it, for such a state of things would have augured ill for the success of my expedition.
jumping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The woman who answered the summons held a candle in her hand, and there was nothing particularly clever in my jumping at the conclusion that Louis' mother stood before me.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whenever a summons of this kind is answered quickly it betokens either that the inmates are in a nervous state or are in dread or expectation of important news.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading A peaceful household takes things more calmly, and is content to let the telegraph messenger cool his heels on the doorstep.
Louis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The woman who answered the summons held a candle in her hand, and there was nothing particularly clever in my jumping at the conclusion that Louis' mother stood before me.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The woman who answered the summons held a candle in her hand, and there was nothing particularly clever in my jumping at the conclusion that Louis' mother stood before me.
messenger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A peaceful household takes things more calmly, and is content to let the telegraph messenger cool his heels on the doorstep.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A peaceful household takes things more calmly, and is content to let the telegraph messenger cool his heels on the doorstep.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The woman who answered the summons held a candle in her hand, and there was nothing particularly clever in my jumping at the conclusion that Louis' mother stood before me.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I did not expect this household to be at peace with itself, nor did I wish it, for such a state of things would have augured ill for the success of my expedition.
nervous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whenever a summons of this kind is answered quickly it betokens either that the inmates are in a nervous state or are in dread or expectation of important news.
news
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whenever a summons of this kind is answered quickly it betokens either that the inmates are in a nervous state or are in dread or expectation of important news.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading I did not expect this household to be at peace with itself, nor did I wish it, for such a state of things would have augured ill for the success of my expedition.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I did not expect this household to be at peace with itself, nor did I wish it, for such a state of things would have augured ill for the success of my expedition.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The woman who answered the summons held a candle in her hand, and there was nothing particularly clever in my jumping at the conclusion that Louis' mother stood before me.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Whenever a summons of this kind is answered quickly it betokens either that the inmates are in a nervous state or are in dread or expectation of important news.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A peaceful household takes things more calmly, and is content to let the telegraph messenger cool his heels on the doorstep.
opening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was therefore pleased to hear a rush of footsteps in the passage, followed by the swift opening of the street door.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Whenever a summons of this kind is answered quickly it betokens either that the inmates are in a nervous state or are in dread or expectation of important news.
particularly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The woman who answered the summons held a candle in her hand, and there was nothing particularly clever in my jumping at the conclusion that Louis' mother stood before me.
passagenounUS /ˈpassage/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I was therefore pleased to hear a rush of footsteps in the passage, followed by the swift opening of the street door.
peace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not expect this household to be at peace with itself, nor did I wish it, for such a state of things would have augured ill for the success of my expedition.
peaceful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A peaceful household takes things more calmly, and is content to let the telegraph messenger cool his heels on the doorstep.
pleasednounUS /ˈpleased/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I was therefore pleased to hear a rush of footsteps in the passage, followed by the swift opening of the street door.
quickly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whenever a summons of this kind is answered quickly it betokens either that the inmates are in a nervous state or are in dread or expectation of important news.
rush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was therefore pleased to hear a rush of footsteps in the passage, followed by the swift opening of the street door.
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whenever a summons of this kind is answered quickly it betokens either that the inmates are in a nervous state or are in dread or expectation of important news.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The woman who answered the summons held a candle in her hand, and there was nothing particularly clever in my jumping at the conclusion that Louis' mother stood before me.
street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was therefore pleased to hear a rush of footsteps in the passage, followed by the swift opening of the street door.
success
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not expect this household to be at peace with itself, nor did I wish it, for such a state of things would have augured ill for the success of my expedition.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading I did not expect this household to be at peace with itself, nor did I wish it, for such a state of things would have augured ill for the success of my expedition.
summonsnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/
an official order to appear or respond
From this reading Whenever a summons of this kind is answered quickly it betokens either that the inmates are in a nervous state or are in dread or expectation of important news.
swift
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was therefore pleased to hear a rush of footsteps in the passage, followed by the swift opening of the street door.
takes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A peaceful household takes things more calmly, and is content to let the telegraph messenger cool his heels on the doorstep.
telegraph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A peaceful household takes things more calmly, and is content to let the telegraph messenger cool his heels on the doorstep.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Whenever a summons of this kind is answered quickly it betokens either that the inmates are in a nervous state or are in dread or expectation of important news.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Whenever a summons of this kind is answered quickly it betokens either that the inmates are in a nervous state or are in dread or expectation of important news.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The woman who answered the summons held a candle in her hand, and there was nothing particularly clever in my jumping at the conclusion that Louis' mother stood before me.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading I was therefore pleased to hear a rush of footsteps in the passage, followed by the swift opening of the street door.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A peaceful household takes things more calmly, and is content to let the telegraph messenger cool his heels on the doorstep.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Whenever a summons of this kind is answered quickly it betokens either that the inmates are in a nervous state or are in dread or expectation of important news.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A peaceful household takes things more calmly, and is content to let the telegraph messenger cool his heels on the doorstep.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was therefore pleased to hear a rush of footsteps in the passage, followed by the swift opening of the street door.
WheneverconjunctionUS /weˈnevər/
at any time that; every time that
From this reading Whenever a summons of this kind is answered quickly it betokens either that the inmates are in a nervous state or are in dread or expectation of important news.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The woman who answered the summons held a candle in her hand, and there was nothing particularly clever in my jumping at the conclusion that Louis' mother stood before me.
wish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not expect this household to be at peace with itself, nor did I wish it, for such a state of things would have augured ill for the success of my expedition.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I did not expect this household to be at peace with itself, nor did I wish it, for such a state of things would have augured ill for the success of my expedition.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The woman who answered the summons held a candle in her hand, and there was nothing particularly clever in my jumping at the conclusion that Louis' mother stood before me.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I did not expect this household to be at peace with itself, nor did I wish it, for such a state of things would have augured ill for the success of my expedition.
