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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 On such a night sleep would be heavier than usual.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The most astute criminal, even burglars, will choose sometimes a wrongly-timed occasion for his offence against society.
allotted
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From this reading The guests also lingered longer than usual in billiard-room or library, and they, in turn, having received the ministrations of the servants allotted to them, retired up the wide oak staircase, over the soft, deep carpet.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
also
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From this reading The guests also lingered longer than usual in billiard-room or library, and they, in turn, having received the ministrations of the servants allotted to them, retired up the wide oak staircase, over the soft, deep carpet.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading By general consent the potations that followed dinner were not excessive, but a little more liberal, as became the occasion.
astute
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From this reading The most astute criminal, even burglars, will choose sometimes a wrongly-timed occasion for his offence against society.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading On such a night sleep would be heavier than usual.
became
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From this reading By general consent the potations that followed dinner were not excessive, but a little more liberal, as became the occasion.
billiard-room
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From this reading The guests also lingered longer than usual in billiard-room or library, and they, in turn, having received the ministrations of the servants allotted to them, retired up the wide oak staircase, over the soft, deep carpet.
branches
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From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
burglars
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From this reading The most astute criminal, even burglars, will choose sometimes a wrongly-timed occasion for his offence against society.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading By general consent the potations that followed dinner were not excessive, but a little more liberal, as became the occasion.
ByprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By general consent the potations that followed dinner were not excessive, but a little more liberal, as became the occasion.
carpet
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From this reading The guests also lingered longer than usual in billiard-room or library, and they, in turn, having received the ministrations of the servants allotted to them, retired up the wide oak staircase, over the soft, deep carpet.
choosenounUS /choose/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The most astute criminal, even burglars, will choose sometimes a wrongly-timed occasion for his offence against society.
closed
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From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
consent
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From this reading By general consent the potations that followed dinner were not excessive, but a little more liberal, as became the occasion.
corridors
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From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
criminal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most astute criminal, even burglars, will choose sometimes a wrongly-timed occasion for his offence against society.
deep
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From this reading The guests also lingered longer than usual in billiard-room or library, and they, in turn, having received the ministrations of the servants allotted to them, retired up the wide oak staircase, over the soft, deep carpet.
dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By general consent the potations that followed dinner were not excessive, but a little more liberal, as became the occasion.
direction
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From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
doors
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From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The most astute criminal, even burglars, will choose sometimes a wrongly-timed occasion for his offence against society.
excessive
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From this reading By general consent the potations that followed dinner were not excessive, but a little more liberal, as became the occasion.
followed
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From this reading By general consent the potations that followed dinner were not excessive, but a little more liberal, as became the occasion.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The most astute criminal, even burglars, will choose sometimes a wrongly-timed occasion for his offence against society.
general
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From this reading By general consent the potations that followed dinner were not excessive, but a little more liberal, as became the occasion.
guests
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From this reading The guests also lingered longer than usual in billiard-room or library, and they, in turn, having received the ministrations of the servants allotted to them, retired up the wide oak staircase, over the soft, deep carpet.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The guests also lingered longer than usual in billiard-room or library, and they, in turn, having received the ministrations of the servants allotted to them, retired up the wide oak staircase, over the soft, deep carpet.
heavier
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From this reading On such a night sleep would be heavier than usual.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
household
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
liberal
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From this reading By general consent the potations that followed dinner were not excessive, but a little more liberal, as became the occasion.
library
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From this reading The guests also lingered longer than usual in billiard-room or library, and they, in turn, having received the ministrations of the servants allotted to them, retired up the wide oak staircase, over the soft, deep carpet.
lingered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The guests also lingered longer than usual in billiard-room or library, and they, in turn, having received the ministrations of the servants allotted to them, retired up the wide oak staircase, over the soft, deep carpet.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading By general consent the potations that followed dinner were not excessive, but a little more liberal, as became the occasion.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The guests also lingered longer than usual in billiard-room or library, and they, in turn, having received the ministrations of the servants allotted to them, retired up the wide oak staircase, over the soft, deep carpet.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
ministrations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The guests also lingered longer than usual in billiard-room or library, and they, in turn, having received the ministrations of the servants allotted to them, retired up the wide oak staircase, over the soft, deep carpet.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By general consent the potations that followed dinner were not excessive, but a little more liberal, as became the occasion.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most astute criminal, even burglars, will choose sometimes a wrongly-timed occasion for his offence against society.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On such a night sleep would be heavier than usual.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading By general consent the potations that followed dinner were not excessive, but a little more liberal, as became the occasion.
oak
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From this reading The guests also lingered longer than usual in billiard-room or library, and they, in turn, having received the ministrations of the servants allotted to them, retired up the wide oak staircase, over the soft, deep carpet.
occasion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By general consent the potations that followed dinner were not excessive, but a little more liberal, as became the occasion.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
offence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most astute criminal, even burglars, will choose sometimes a wrongly-timed occasion for his offence against society.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On such a night sleep would be heavier than usual.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The guests also lingered longer than usual in billiard-room or library, and they, in turn, having received the ministrations of the servants allotted to them, retired up the wide oak staircase, over the soft, deep carpet.
potations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By general consent the potations that followed dinner were not excessive, but a little more liberal, as became the occasion.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The guests also lingered longer than usual in billiard-room or library, and they, in turn, having received the ministrations of the servants allotted to them, retired up the wide oak staircase, over the soft, deep carpet.
respectful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
respective
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
retiredverbUS /rɪˈtaɪərd/
went away to a private place
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
rooms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
servants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The guests also lingered longer than usual in billiard-room or library, and they, in turn, having received the ministrations of the servants allotted to them, retired up the wide oak staircase, over the soft, deep carpet.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
sleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On such a night sleep would be heavier than usual.
society
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most astute criminal, even burglars, will choose sometimes a wrongly-timed occasion for his offence against society.
soft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The guests also lingered longer than usual in billiard-room or library, and they, in turn, having received the ministrations of the servants allotted to them, retired up the wide oak staircase, over the soft, deep carpet.
sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most astute criminal, even burglars, will choose sometimes a wrongly-timed occasion for his offence against society.
staircase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The guests also lingered longer than usual in billiard-room or library, and they, in turn, having received the ministrations of the servants allotted to them, retired up the wide oak staircase, over the soft, deep carpet.
staircases
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
stifling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading On such a night sleep would be heavier than usual.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading On such a night sleep would be heavier than usual.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading By general consent the potations that followed dinner were not excessive, but a little more liberal, as became the occasion.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading By general consent the potations that followed dinner were not excessive, but a little more liberal, as became the occasion.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The guests also lingered longer than usual in billiard-room or library, and they, in turn, having received the ministrations of the servants allotted to them, retired up the wide oak staircase, over the soft, deep carpet.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The guests also lingered longer than usual in billiard-room or library, and they, in turn, having received the ministrations of the servants allotted to them, retired up the wide oak staircase, over the soft, deep carpet.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
turn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The guests also lingered longer than usual in billiard-room or library, and they, in turn, having received the ministrations of the servants allotted to them, retired up the wide oak staircase, over the soft, deep carpet.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On such a night sleep would be heavier than usual.
varying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
walking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading By general consent the potations that followed dinner were not excessive, but a little more liberal, as became the occasion.
wide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The guests also lingered longer than usual in billiard-room or library, and they, in turn, having received the ministrations of the servants allotted to them, retired up the wide oak staircase, over the soft, deep carpet.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading The most astute criminal, even burglars, will choose sometimes a wrongly-timed occasion for his offence against society.
winding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading On such a night sleep would be heavier than usual.
wrongly-timed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most astute criminal, even burglars, will choose sometimes a wrongly-timed occasion for his offence against society.
yawns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One by one the household, in its many varying branches, retired, each in his or her direction up one of the many winding staircases, and along corridors to their respective rooms, with stifling yawns, and walking with a respectful silence until the last of the doors opened and closed.
