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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 A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
absurd
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From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
AFFAIR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
all
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From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
altogether
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From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading There were his clothes, of course, and another excrudescence or two, but these were incidentals.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Of course all spinsters are not of the right sort; few of us are.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The wayfarers did not even yawn, but looked inquiringly at the beaming and bestowed-by-Providence Colonel.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
beaming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wayfarers did not even yawn, but looked inquiringly at the beaming and bestowed-by-Providence Colonel.
bestowed-by-Providence
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From this reading The wayfarers did not even yawn, but looked inquiringly at the beaming and bestowed-by-Providence Colonel.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There were his clothes, of course, and another excrudescence or two, but these were incidentals.
clothes
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From this reading There were his clothes, of course, and another excrudescence or two, but these were incidentals.
Colonel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wayfarers did not even yawn, but looked inquiringly at the beaming and bestowed-by-Providence Colonel.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There were his clothes, of course, and another excrudescence or two, but these were incidentals.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The wayfarers did not even yawn, but looked inquiringly at the beaming and bestowed-by-Providence Colonel.
doubtful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The wayfarers did not even yawn, but looked inquiringly at the beaming and bestowed-by-Providence Colonel.
excrudescence
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From this reading There were his clothes, of course, and another excrudescence or two, but these were incidentals.
few
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From this reading Of course all spinsters are not of the right sort; few of us are.
footing
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From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There were his clothes, of course, and another excrudescence or two, but these were incidentals.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
incidentals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were his clothes, of course, and another excrudescence or two, but these were incidentals.
inquiringly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wayfarers did not even yawn, but looked inquiringly at the beaming and bestowed-by-Providence Colonel.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
laughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
LITERARY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The wayfarers did not even yawn, but looked inquiringly at the beaming and bestowed-by-Providence Colonel.
LOVE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
naturally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There were his clothes, of course, and another excrudescence or two, but these were incidentals.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There were his clothes, of course, and another excrudescence or two, but these were incidentals.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
recital
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
Showman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
social
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
spinster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
spinsters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course all spinsters are not of the right sort; few of us are.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading There were his clothes, of course, and another excrudescence or two, but these were incidentals.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were his clothes, of course, and another excrudescence or two, but these were incidentals.
undoubtedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
unsentimental
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Of course all spinsters are not of the right sort; few of us are.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
wayfarers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wayfarers did not even yawn, but looked inquiringly at the beaming and bestowed-by-Providence Colonel.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were his clothes, of course, and another excrudescence or two, but these were incidentals.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
yawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wayfarers did not even yawn, but looked inquiringly at the beaming and bestowed-by-Providence Colonel.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
