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The Brass Check
The Brass Check

Chapter XIV · Journalism and Burglary

Cover illustration for The Brass Check
Context Illustration Reading 1/27 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I was obliged to return to America to give testimony concerning an automobile accident of which I had been a witness.
I had been sitting in the rear seat of a friend’s car, which was proceeding at a very moderate rate of speed along a down-town street, when a fruit-peddler leaped out from behind an ice-wagon.
He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.
The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!
During my return to America I remarried.
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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.

The Brass Check

Chapter XIV · Journalism and Burglary

Reading 1/27 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I was obliged to return to America to give testimony concerning an automobile accident of which I had been a witness.
Line 2
I had been sitting in the rear seat of a friend’s car, which was proceeding at a very moderate rate of speed along a down-town street, when a fruit-peddler leaped out from behind an ice-wagon.
Line 3
He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.
Line 4
The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!
Line 5
During my return to America I remarried.

Learner Dictionary

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

Along preposition US /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “I had been sitting in the rear seat of a friend’s car, which was proceeding at a very moderate rate of speed along a down-town street, when a fruit-peddler leaped out from behind an ice-wagon.”

Another noun US /ˈanother/

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

From this reading “The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “I was obliged to return to America to give testimony concerning an automobile accident of which I had been a witness.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “I had been sitting in the rear seat of a friend’s car, which was proceeding at a very moderate rate of speed along a down-town street, when a fruit-peddler leaped out from behind an ice-wagon.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “During my return to America I remarried.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.”

Poor noun US /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!”

Struck noun US /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.”

Toward preposition US /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading “He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!”

All words in this reading · 102

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 I was obliged to return to America to give testimony concerning an automobile accident of which I had been a witness.

accident

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

From this reading I was obliged to return to America to give testimony concerning an automobile accident of which I had been a witness.

account

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

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

ahead

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

From this reading He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading I had been sitting in the rear seat of a friend’s car, which was proceeding at a very moderate rate of speed along a down-town street, when a fruit-peddler leaped out from behind an ice-wagon.

America

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

From this reading I was obliged to return to America to give testimony concerning an automobile accident of which I had been a witness.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading I was obliged to return to America to give testimony concerning an automobile accident of which I had been a witness.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I had been sitting in the rear seat of a friend’s car, which was proceeding at a very moderate rate of speed along a down-town street, when a fruit-peddler leaped out from behind an ice-wagon.

automobile

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

From this reading I was obliged to return to America to give testimony concerning an automobile accident of which I had been a witness.

automobiles

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

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

bananas

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

From this reading He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading I was obliged to return to America to give testimony concerning an automobile accident of which I had been a witness.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading I had been sitting in the rear seat of a friend’s car, which was proceeding at a very moderate rate of speed along a down-town street, when a fruit-peddler leaped out from behind an ice-wagon.

bunch

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

From this reading He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.

car

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

From this reading I had been sitting in the rear seat of a friend’s car, which was proceeding at a very moderate rate of speed along a down-town street, when a fruit-peddler leaped out from behind an ice-wagon.

clear

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

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

column

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

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

concerning

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

From this reading I was obliged to return to America to give testimony concerning an automobile accident of which I had been a witness.

correspondent

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

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.

down

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

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

down-town

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

From this reading I had been sitting in the rear seat of a friend’s car, which was proceeding at a very moderate rate of speed along a down-town street, when a fruit-peddler leaped out from behind an ice-wagon.

DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During my return to America I remarried.

editorial

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

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

feet

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

From this reading He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.

finger

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

From this reading He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

friend's

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

From this reading I had been sitting in the rear seat of a friend’s car, which was proceeding at a very moderate rate of speed along a down-town street, when a fruit-peddler leaped out from behind an ice-wagon.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading I had been sitting in the rear seat of a friend’s car, which was proceeding at a very moderate rate of speed along a down-town street, when a fruit-peddler leaped out from behind an ice-wagon.

front

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

From this reading He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.

fruit-peddler

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

From this reading I had been sitting in the rear seat of a friend’s car, which was proceeding at a very moderate rate of speed along a down-town street, when a fruit-peddler leaped out from behind an ice-wagon.

give

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

From this reading I was obliged to return to America to give testimony concerning an automobile accident of which I had been a witness.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading I was obliged to return to America to give testimony concerning an automobile accident of which I had been a witness.

hand

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

From this reading He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I was obliged to return to America to give testimony concerning an automobile accident of which I had been a witness.

ice-wagon

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

From this reading I had been sitting in the rear seat of a friend’s car, which was proceeding at a very moderate rate of speed along a down-town street, when a fruit-peddler leaped out from behind an ice-wagon.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading I had been sitting in the rear seat of a friend’s car, which was proceeding at a very moderate rate of speed along a down-town street, when a fruit-peddler leaped out from behind an ice-wagon.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

leaped

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

From this reading I had been sitting in the rear seat of a friend’s car, which was proceeding at a very moderate rate of speed along a down-town street, when a fruit-peddler leaped out from behind an ice-wagon.

letter

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

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

looking

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

From this reading He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.

made

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

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

man's

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

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

men

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

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

merely

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

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

moderate

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

From this reading I had been sitting in the rear seat of a friend’s car, which was proceeding at a very moderate rate of speed along a down-town street, when a fruit-peddler leaped out from behind an ice-wagon.

move

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

From this reading He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading During my return to America I remarried.

New

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

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

news

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

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.

obliged

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

From this reading I was obliged to return to America to give testimony concerning an automobile accident of which I had been a witness.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I was obliged to return to America to give testimony concerning an automobile accident of which I had been a witness.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

out

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

From this reading I had been sitting in the rear seat of a friend’s car, which was proceeding at a very moderate rate of speed along a down-town street, when a fruit-peddler leaped out from behind an ice-wagon.

page

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

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

passenger

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

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

poornounUS /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

proceeding

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

From this reading I had been sitting in the rear seat of a friend’s car, which was proceeding at a very moderate rate of speed along a down-town street, when a fruit-peddler leaped out from behind an ice-wagon.

rate

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

From this reading I had been sitting in the rear seat of a friend’s car, which was proceeding at a very moderate rate of speed along a down-town street, when a fruit-peddler leaped out from behind an ice-wagon.

rear

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

From this reading I had been sitting in the rear seat of a friend’s car, which was proceeding at a very moderate rate of speed along a down-town street, when a fruit-peddler leaped out from behind an ice-wagon.

remarried

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

From this reading During my return to America I remarried.

return

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

From this reading I was obliged to return to America to give testimony concerning an automobile accident of which I had been a witness.

rode

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

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

seat

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

From this reading I had been sitting in the rear seat of a friend’s car, which was proceeding at a very moderate rate of speed along a down-town street, when a fruit-peddler leaped out from behind an ice-wagon.

sitting

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

From this reading I had been sitting in the rear seat of a friend’s car, which was proceeding at a very moderate rate of speed along a down-town street, when a fruit-peddler leaped out from behind an ice-wagon.

sneering

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

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

Socialist

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

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

some

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

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

space

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

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

speed

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

From this reading I had been sitting in the rear seat of a friend’s car, which was proceeding at a very moderate rate of speed along a down-town street, when a fruit-peddler leaped out from behind an ice-wagon.

sprang

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

From this reading He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.

street

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

From this reading I had been sitting in the rear seat of a friend’s car, which was proceeding at a very moderate rate of speed along a down-town street, when a fruit-peddler leaped out from behind an ice-wagon.

strucknounUS /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.

testimony

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

From this reading I was obliged to return to America to give testimony concerning an automobile accident of which I had been a witness.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading I had been sitting in the rear seat of a friend’s car, which was proceeding at a very moderate rate of speed along a down-town street, when a fruit-peddler leaped out from behind an ice-wagon.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.

Times

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

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I was obliged to return to America to give testimony concerning an automobile accident of which I had been a witness.

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.

two

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

From this reading He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.

up

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

From this reading He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.

very

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

From this reading I had been sitting in the rear seat of a friend’s car, which was proceeding at a very moderate rate of speed along a down-town street, when a fruit-peddler leaped out from behind an ice-wagon.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading I was obliged to return to America to give testimony concerning an automobile accident of which I had been a witness.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading I had been sitting in the rear seat of a friend’s car, which was proceeding at a very moderate rate of speed along a down-town street, when a fruit-peddler leaped out from behind an ice-wagon.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading I was obliged to return to America to give testimony concerning an automobile accident of which I had been a witness.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

window

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

From this reading He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.

witness

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

From this reading I was obliged to return to America to give testimony concerning an automobile accident of which I had been a witness.

woman

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

From this reading He had a bunch of bananas in his hand and was looking up toward a woman in a window; he was not two feet ahead of the car when he sprang in front of it, and was struck before those in the car could move a finger.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!

York

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

From this reading The account in the news column of the “New York Times” made clear that I had been merely a passenger, in another man’s car, yet the “Times” found space on its editorial page for a letter from some correspondent, sneering at me as a Socialist who rode down poor men in automobiles!