Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact, the last operation struck me as interesting him least of all.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
aside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Becoming aware of my presence, he moved aside with a courtly little bow.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
attracted
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From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
aware
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From this reading Becoming aware of my presence, he moved aside with a courtly little bow.
Baxter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
Becoming
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From this reading Becoming aware of my presence, he moved aside with a courtly little bow.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
blow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
bookshop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
bow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Becoming aware of my presence, he moved aside with a courtly little bow.
box
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
care
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
common
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
contents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
courtly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Becoming aware of my presence, he moved aside with a courtly little bow.
cover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
dipping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
Dirty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
disreputable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
dog's-eared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
dust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
dusty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a dusty old gentleman, in a very shabby frock-coat.
extract
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact, the last operation struck me as interesting him least of all.
fashion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
fourpenny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
frock-coat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a dusty old gentleman, in a very shabby frock-coat.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
gentlemannounUS /ˈgentleman/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He was a dusty old gentleman, in a very shabby frock-coat.
gently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
handled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
heap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
High
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In fact, the last operation struck me as interesting him least of all.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
inexpensive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
interesting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact, the last operation struck me as interesting him least of all.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In fact, the last operation struck me as interesting him least of all.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In fact, the last operation struck me as interesting him least of all.
Liberry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
literature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Becoming aware of my presence, he moved aside with a courtly little bow.
loving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In fact, the last operation struck me as interesting him least of all.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
moved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Becoming aware of my presence, he moved aside with a courtly little bow.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Becoming aware of my presence, he moved aside with a courtly little bow.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a dusty old gentleman, in a very shabby frock-coat.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
operation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact, the last operation struck me as interesting him least of all.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
pages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
patrons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
presence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Becoming aware of my presence, he moved aside with a courtly little bow.
second-hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
shabby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a dusty old gentleman, in a very shabby frock-coat.
smooth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
snatched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
straighten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
Street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
strucknounUS /struck/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In fact, the last operation struck me as interesting him least of all.
subject-matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
threw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
Timpenny's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
usually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a dusty old gentleman, in a very shabby frock-coat.
volume
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
warped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading "The Liberry" I first met Mr. Baxter at the fourpenny box outside Mr. Timpenny's second-hand bookshop in High Street, and was attracted at once by the loving care with which he handled its contents.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
wrinkled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty and dog's-eared as most of them were, he never snatched one up or threw it down, after the common fashion of patrons of inexpensive literature, but would gently extract a more than usually disreputable volume from its heap, blow the dust off, straighten the warped cover, and smooth out the wrinkled pages before dipping into the subject-matter.
