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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 During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
ANdeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN OLD FRIEND UNEXPECTEDLY PRESENTS HIMSELF.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
attached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment I looked at the head, which I inferred was attached to the body of a clerk in the service of Mr. Gascoigne, it disappeared, and I paid no attention to it.
attention
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From this reading During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
attracted
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From this reading During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The moment I looked at the head, which I inferred was attached to the body of a clerk in the service of Mr. Gascoigne, it disappeared, and I paid no attention to it.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
clerk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment I looked at the head, which I inferred was attached to the body of a clerk in the service of Mr. Gascoigne, it disappeared, and I paid no attention to it.
close
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From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
curiosity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
desk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
direction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
disappearednounUS /ˈdisappeared/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The moment I looked at the head, which I inferred was attached to the body of a clerk in the service of Mr. Gascoigne, it disappeared, and I paid no attention to it.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
eagerness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
ears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
end
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From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
extreme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
FRIEND
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN OLD FRIEND UNEXPECTEDLY PRESENTS HIMSELF.
Gascoigne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment I looked at the head, which I inferred was attached to the body of a clerk in the service of Mr. Gascoigne, it disappeared, and I paid no attention to it.
Gascoigne's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
gray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
happening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
HIMSELFpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading AN OLD FRIEND UNEXPECTEDLY PRESENTS HIMSELF.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
incident
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
inferred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment I looked at the head, which I inferred was attached to the body of a clerk in the service of Mr. Gascoigne, it disappeared, and I paid no attention to it.
interview
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The moment I looked at the head, which I inferred was attached to the body of a clerk in the service of Mr. Gascoigne, it disappeared, and I paid no attention to it.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment I looked at the head, which I inferred was attached to the body of a clerk in the service of Mr. Gascoigne, it disappeared, and I paid no attention to it.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
occupied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
OLD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN OLD FRIEND UNEXPECTEDLY PRESENTS HIMSELF.
old-fashioned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
owner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
paid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment I looked at the head, which I inferred was attached to the body of a clerk in the service of Mr. Gascoigne, it disappeared, and I paid no attention to it.
peculiar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
PRESENTS
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From this reading AN OLD FRIEND UNEXPECTEDLY PRESENTS HIMSELF.
railing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
railings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
raised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
regarding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
service
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment I looked at the head, which I inferred was attached to the body of a clerk in the service of Mr. Gascoigne, it disappeared, and I paid no attention to it.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
sounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
undesignedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
UNEXPECTEDLY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN OLD FRIEND UNEXPECTEDLY PRESENTS HIMSELF.
visible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
