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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 “But what, then, can you say to him, or to them,” says he, “when they find you positive against a match which would be apparently so much to your advantage?”
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “Ay,” says he; “but the whole house will tease you about that, even to father and mother, and if you deny them positively, they will be disobliged at you, and suspicious besides.”
advantage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But what, then, can you say to him, or to them,” says he, “when they find you positive against a match which would be apparently so much to your advantage?”
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading “But what, then, can you say to him, or to them,” says he, “when they find you positive against a match which would be apparently so much to your advantage?”
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
apparently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But what, then, can you say to him, or to them,” says he, “when they find you positive against a match which would be apparently so much to your advantage?”
ask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “Why,” says I, “should I be at a loss?
Ay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ay,” says he; “but the whole house will tease you about that, even to father and mother, and if you deny them positively, they will be disobliged at you, and suspicious besides.”
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “But what, then, can you say to him, or to them,” says he, “when they find you positive against a match which would be apparently so much to your advantage?”
besidesprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪdz/
in addition to; as well as
From this reading “Ay,” says he; “but the whole house will tease you about that, even to father and mother, and if you deny them positively, they will be disobliged at you, and suspicious besides.”
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “But what, then, can you say to him, or to them,” says he, “when they find you positive against a match which would be apparently so much to your advantage?”
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “But what, then, can you say to him, or to them,” says he, “when they find you positive against a match which would be apparently so much to your advantage?”
deny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ay,” says he; “but the whole house will tease you about that, even to father and mother, and if you deny them positively, they will be disobliged at you, and suspicious besides.”
disobliged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ay,” says he; “but the whole house will tease you about that, even to father and mother, and if you deny them positively, they will be disobliged at you, and suspicious besides.”
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “Why,” says I, “what can I do?
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Ay,” says he; “but the whole house will tease you about that, even to father and mother, and if you deny them positively, they will be disobliged at you, and suspicious besides.”
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ay,” says he; “but the whole house will tease you about that, even to father and mother, and if you deny them positively, they will be disobliged at you, and suspicious besides.”
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But what, then, can you say to him, or to them,” says he, “when they find you positive against a match which would be apparently so much to your advantage?”
FirstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “But what, then, can you say to him, or to them,” says he, “when they find you positive against a match which would be apparently so much to your advantage?”
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “But what, then, can you say to him, or to them,” says he, “when they find you positive against a match which would be apparently so much to your advantage?”
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ay,” says he; “but the whole house will tease you about that, even to father and mother, and if you deny them positively, they will be disobliged at you, and suspicious besides.”
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Why,” says I, “should I be at a loss?
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “Ay,” says he; “but the whole house will tease you about that, even to father and mother, and if you deny them positively, they will be disobliged at you, and suspicious besides.”
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
loss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Why,” says I, “should I be at a loss?
married
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
match
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But what, then, can you say to him, or to them,” says he, “when they find you positive against a match which would be apparently so much to your advantage?”
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ay,” says he; “but the whole house will tease you about that, even to father and mother, and if you deny them positively, they will be disobliged at you, and suspicious besides.”
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But what, then, can you say to him, or to them,” says he, “when they find you positive against a match which would be apparently so much to your advantage?”
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
obliged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “But what, then, can you say to him, or to them,” says he, “when they find you positive against a match which would be apparently so much to your advantage?”
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
positive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But what, then, can you say to him, or to them,” says he, “when they find you positive against a match which would be apparently so much to your advantage?”
positively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ay,” says he; “but the whole house will tease you about that, even to father and mother, and if you deny them positively, they will be disobliged at you, and suspicious besides.”
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But what, then, can you say to him, or to them,” says he, “when they find you positive against a match which would be apparently so much to your advantage?”
says
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But what, then, can you say to him, or to them,” says he, “when they find you positive against a match which would be apparently so much to your advantage?”
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading “Why,” says I, “should I be at a loss?
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “But what, then, can you say to him, or to them,” says he, “when they find you positive against a match which would be apparently so much to your advantage?”
stop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
suspicious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ay,” says he; “but the whole house will tease you about that, even to father and mother, and if you deny them positively, they will be disobliged at you, and suspicious besides.”
tease
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ay,” says he; “but the whole house will tease you about that, even to father and mother, and if you deny them positively, they will be disobliged at you, and suspicious besides.”
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “But what, then, can you say to him, or to them,” says he, “when they find you positive against a match which would be apparently so much to your advantage?”
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But what, then, can you say to him, or to them,” says he, “when they find you positive against a match which would be apparently so much to your advantage?”
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “But what, then, can you say to him, or to them,” says he, “when they find you positive against a match which would be apparently so much to your advantage?”
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “But what, then, can you say to him, or to them,” says he, “when they find you positive against a match which would be apparently so much to your advantage?”
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “But what, then, can you say to him, or to them,” says he, “when they find you positive against a match which would be apparently so much to your advantage?”
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading “But what, then, can you say to him, or to them,” says he, “when they find you positive against a match which would be apparently so much to your advantage?”
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “But what, then, can you say to him, or to them,” says he, “when they find you positive against a match which would be apparently so much to your advantage?”
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ay,” says he; “but the whole house will tease you about that, even to father and mother, and if you deny them positively, they will be disobliged at you, and suspicious besides.”
Why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Why,” says I, “should I be at a loss?
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading First of all, I am not obliged to give me any reason at all; on the other hand, I may tell them I am married already, and stop there, and that will be a full stop too to him, for he can have no reason to ask one question after it.”
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “But what, then, can you say to him, or to them,” says he, “when they find you positive against a match which would be apparently so much to your advantage?”
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “But what, then, can you say to him, or to them,” says he, “when they find you positive against a match which would be apparently so much to your advantage?”
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “But what, then, can you say to him, or to them,” says he, “when they find you positive against a match which would be apparently so much to your advantage?”