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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
affirmative
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From this reading The answer was evidently in the affirmative, for the lumbering tread came rapidly nearer, and a powerful double knock announced that the visitor was at the other side of the door.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The answer was evidently in the affirmative, for the lumbering tread came rapidly nearer, and a powerful double knock announced that the visitor was at the other side of the door.
announced
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From this reading The answer was evidently in the affirmative, for the lumbering tread came rapidly nearer, and a powerful double knock announced that the visitor was at the other side of the door.
answer
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From this reading The answer was evidently in the affirmative, for the lumbering tread came rapidly nearer, and a powerful double knock announced that the visitor was at the other side of the door.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A gruff voice was audible at the same time, which demanded in rather more energetic language than was usually employed in that orderly establishment, whether the principal was to be seen or not.
audible
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From this reading A gruff voice was audible at the same time, which demanded in rather more energetic language than was usually employed in that orderly establishment, whether the principal was to be seen or not.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A gruff voice was audible at the same time, which demanded in rather more energetic language than was usually employed in that orderly establishment, whether the principal was to be seen or not.
BLACK
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From this reading CAPTAIN HAMILTON MIGGS OF THE "BLACK EAGLE."
came
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From this reading The answer was evidently in the affirmative, for the lumbering tread came rapidly nearer, and a powerful double knock announced that the visitor was at the other side of the door.
CAPTAINnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading CAPTAIN HAMILTON MIGGS OF THE "BLACK EAGLE."
caught
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From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
ComenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Come in," cried Mr. Girdlestone, laying down his pen.
counting-house
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From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
criednounUS /cried/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Come in," cried Mr. Girdlestone, laying down his pen.
demanded
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From this reading A gruff voice was audible at the same time, which demanded in rather more energetic language than was usually employed in that orderly establishment, whether the principal was to be seen or not.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The answer was evidently in the affirmative, for the lumbering tread came rapidly nearer, and a powerful double knock announced that the visitor was at the other side of the door.
double
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From this reading The answer was evidently in the affirmative, for the lumbering tread came rapidly nearer, and a powerful double knock announced that the visitor was at the other side of the door.
down
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From this reading "Come in," cried Mr. Girdlestone, laying down his pen.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
EAGLE
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From this reading CAPTAIN HAMILTON MIGGS OF THE "BLACK EAGLE."
ear
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From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
employed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gruff voice was audible at the same time, which demanded in rather more energetic language than was usually employed in that orderly establishment, whether the principal was to be seen or not.
energetic
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From this reading A gruff voice was audible at the same time, which demanded in rather more energetic language than was usually employed in that orderly establishment, whether the principal was to be seen or not.
establishment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gruff voice was audible at the same time, which demanded in rather more energetic language than was usually employed in that orderly establishment, whether the principal was to be seen or not.
evidently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The answer was evidently in the affirmative, for the lumbering tread came rapidly nearer, and a powerful double knock announced that the visitor was at the other side of the door.
explaining
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From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
financial
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From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
firm
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From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
footstep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The answer was evidently in the affirmative, for the lumbering tread came rapidly nearer, and a powerful double knock announced that the visitor was at the other side of the door.
Girdlestone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Come in," cried Mr. Girdlestone, laying down his pen.
gruff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gruff voice was audible at the same time, which demanded in rather more energetic language than was usually employed in that orderly establishment, whether the principal was to be seen or not.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
HAMILTON
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From this reading CAPTAIN HAMILTON MIGGS OF THE "BLACK EAGLE."
hardly
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From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
Hudson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
knock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The answer was evidently in the affirmative, for the lumbering tread came rapidly nearer, and a powerful double knock announced that the visitor was at the other side of the door.
language
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gruff voice was audible at the same time, which demanded in rather more energetic language than was usually employed in that orderly establishment, whether the principal was to be seen or not.
laying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Come in," cried Mr. Girdlestone, laying down his pen.
lumbering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The answer was evidently in the affirmative, for the lumbering tread came rapidly nearer, and a powerful double knock announced that the visitor was at the other side of the door.
mental
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
MIGGS
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From this reading CAPTAIN HAMILTON MIGGS OF THE "BLACK EAGLE."
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gruff voice was audible at the same time, which demanded in rather more energetic language than was usually employed in that orderly establishment, whether the principal was to be seen or not.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Come in," cried Mr. Girdlestone, laying down his pen.
nearer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The answer was evidently in the affirmative, for the lumbering tread came rapidly nearer, and a powerful double knock announced that the visitor was at the other side of the door.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A gruff voice was audible at the same time, which demanded in rather more energetic language than was usually employed in that orderly establishment, whether the principal was to be seen or not.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading CAPTAIN HAMILTON MIGGS OF THE "BLACK EAGLE."
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A gruff voice was audible at the same time, which demanded in rather more energetic language than was usually employed in that orderly establishment, whether the principal was to be seen or not.
orderly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gruff voice was audible at the same time, which demanded in rather more energetic language than was usually employed in that orderly establishment, whether the principal was to be seen or not.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The answer was evidently in the affirmative, for the lumbering tread came rapidly nearer, and a powerful double knock announced that the visitor was at the other side of the door.
painful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
pen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Come in," cried Mr. Girdlestone, laying down his pen.
position
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From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
powerful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The answer was evidently in the affirmative, for the lumbering tread came rapidly nearer, and a powerful double knock announced that the visitor was at the other side of the door.
principal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gruff voice was audible at the same time, which demanded in rather more energetic language than was usually employed in that orderly establishment, whether the principal was to be seen or not.
quick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
rapidly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The answer was evidently in the affirmative, for the lumbering tread came rapidly nearer, and a powerful double knock announced that the visitor was at the other side of the door.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gruff voice was audible at the same time, which demanded in rather more energetic language than was usually employed in that orderly establishment, whether the principal was to be seen or not.
recovered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A gruff voice was audible at the same time, which demanded in rather more energetic language than was usually employed in that orderly establishment, whether the principal was to be seen or not.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gruff voice was audible at the same time, which demanded in rather more energetic language than was usually employed in that orderly establishment, whether the principal was to be seen or not.
serenitynounUS /səˈren.ə.t̬i/
The state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled by external storms.
From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The answer was evidently in the affirmative, for the lumbering tread came rapidly nearer, and a powerful double knock announced that the visitor was at the other side of the door.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A gruff voice was audible at the same time, which demanded in rather more energetic language than was usually employed in that orderly establishment, whether the principal was to be seen or not.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A gruff voice was audible at the same time, which demanded in rather more energetic language than was usually employed in that orderly establishment, whether the principal was to be seen or not.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CAPTAIN HAMILTON MIGGS OF THE "BLACK EAGLE."
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A gruff voice was audible at the same time, which demanded in rather more energetic language than was usually employed in that orderly establishment, whether the principal was to be seen or not.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
tread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The answer was evidently in the affirmative, for the lumbering tread came rapidly nearer, and a powerful double knock announced that the visitor was at the other side of the door.
usually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gruff voice was audible at the same time, which demanded in rather more energetic language than was usually employed in that orderly establishment, whether the principal was to be seen or not.
visitor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The answer was evidently in the affirmative, for the lumbering tread came rapidly nearer, and a powerful double knock announced that the visitor was at the other side of the door.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gruff voice was audible at the same time, which demanded in rather more energetic language than was usually employed in that orderly establishment, whether the principal was to be seen or not.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A gruff voice was audible at the same time, which demanded in rather more energetic language than was usually employed in that orderly establishment, whether the principal was to be seen or not.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading A gruff voice was audible at the same time, which demanded in rather more energetic language than was usually employed in that orderly establishment, whether the principal was to be seen or not.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A gruff voice was audible at the same time, which demanded in rather more energetic language than was usually employed in that orderly establishment, whether the principal was to be seen or not.
Widow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The head of the firm had hardly recovered his mental serenity after the painful duty of explaining her financial position to the Widow Hudson, when his quick ear caught the sound of a heavy footstep in the counting-house.
