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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 Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
accordance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
age
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From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
air
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From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
artist
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From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
bearing
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From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
big
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From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
Blake
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From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
braced
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From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
candlestick
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From this reading Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
ceiling
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From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
century
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From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
Challoner
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From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
choice
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From this reading Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
cigar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
cloth
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From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
custom
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From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
decanter
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From this reading Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
decorated
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From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
delicacy
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From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
design
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From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
Dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
eighteenth
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From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
faced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
faded
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From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
finished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
French
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From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
furniture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
Georgian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
give
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From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
glistening
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From this reading Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
gone
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From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
helped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
impressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
ItsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
keeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
Lighting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
mahogany
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
ordeal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
period
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
PROBLEM
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From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
removed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
Sandymere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
silver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
solemnity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
SOLVING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
stamp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
surface
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
tall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
wine-glasses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
