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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 Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.
appointments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.
bell
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From this reading Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.
betokened
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From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.
brass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.
certain
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From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.
cleaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.
doctor's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.
Dr
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From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.
former
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.
garden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.
GoodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Good morning!” the latter said tentatively.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.
Inspector
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.
Jacks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.
keeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.
lack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.
latter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Good morning!” the latter said tentatively.
limited
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From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Good morning!” the latter said tentatively.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.
notice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.
noticed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.
patients
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.
plate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.
practice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.
pretence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.
railing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.
rang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.
residence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Good morning!” the latter said tentatively.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.
smartness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.
studied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.
summonsnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/
an official order to appear or respond
From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.
tentatively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Good morning!” the latter said tentatively.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.
want
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.
Whiles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.