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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 Her eyes were unnaturally bright, her expression seemed to have borrowed something of that wistful earnestness of one of the earlier Madonnas, seeking with pathetic strenuousness to discover the germs of a truth which was as yet unborn.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS In the twilight of the long spring evening, Ruth sat waiting in the bare room which had been Arnold's habitation during these days of his struggle against poverty.
AlreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Already the color which the sunshine had brought seemed to have been drained from her cheeks.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The clouds, which hung low over the other side of the river, were tinged with an unusual coloring, smoke-stained as they hovered over the chimneys.
Arnold's
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From this reading TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS In the twilight of the long spring evening, Ruth sat waiting in the bare room which had been Arnold's habitation during these days of his struggle against poverty.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She was sitting on the couch, drawn up as usual to the window, her elbows upon her knees, her hands supporting her delicate, thoughtful face.
bare
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From this reading TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS In the twilight of the long spring evening, Ruth sat waiting in the bare room which had been Arnold's habitation during these days of his struggle against poverty.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS In the twilight of the long spring evening, Ruth sat waiting in the bare room which had been Arnold's habitation during these days of his struggle against poverty.
borrowed
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From this reading Her eyes were unnaturally bright, her expression seemed to have borrowed something of that wistful earnestness of one of the earlier Madonnas, seeking with pathetic strenuousness to discover the germs of a truth which was as yet unborn.
bright
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From this reading Her eyes were unnaturally bright, her expression seemed to have borrowed something of that wistful earnestness of one of the earlier Madonnas, seeking with pathetic strenuousness to discover the germs of a truth which was as yet unborn.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Already the color which the sunshine had brought seemed to have been drained from her cheeks.
cheeks
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From this reading Already the color which the sunshine had brought seemed to have been drained from her cheeks.
chimneys
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From this reading The clouds, which hung low over the other side of the river, were tinged with an unusual coloring, smoke-stained as they hovered over the chimneys.
clouds
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From this reading The clouds, which hung low over the other side of the river, were tinged with an unusual coloring, smoke-stained as they hovered over the chimneys.
color
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From this reading Already the color which the sunshine had brought seemed to have been drained from her cheeks.
coloring
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From this reading The clouds, which hung low over the other side of the river, were tinged with an unusual coloring, smoke-stained as they hovered over the chimneys.
couch
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From this reading She was sitting on the couch, drawn up as usual to the window, her elbows upon her knees, her hands supporting her delicate, thoughtful face.
days
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From this reading TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS In the twilight of the long spring evening, Ruth sat waiting in the bare room which had been Arnold's habitation during these days of his struggle against poverty.
delicate
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From this reading She was sitting on the couch, drawn up as usual to the window, her elbows upon her knees, her hands supporting her delicate, thoughtful face.
discover
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From this reading Her eyes were unnaturally bright, her expression seemed to have borrowed something of that wistful earnestness of one of the earlier Madonnas, seeking with pathetic strenuousness to discover the germs of a truth which was as yet unborn.
drained
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From this reading Already the color which the sunshine had brought seemed to have been drained from her cheeks.
drawn
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From this reading She was sitting on the couch, drawn up as usual to the window, her elbows upon her knees, her hands supporting her delicate, thoughtful face.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS In the twilight of the long spring evening, Ruth sat waiting in the bare room which had been Arnold's habitation during these days of his struggle against poverty.
earlier
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From this reading Her eyes were unnaturally bright, her expression seemed to have borrowed something of that wistful earnestness of one of the earlier Madonnas, seeking with pathetic strenuousness to discover the germs of a truth which was as yet unborn.
earnestness
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From this reading Her eyes were unnaturally bright, her expression seemed to have borrowed something of that wistful earnestness of one of the earlier Madonnas, seeking with pathetic strenuousness to discover the germs of a truth which was as yet unborn.
elbows
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From this reading She was sitting on the couch, drawn up as usual to the window, her elbows upon her knees, her hands supporting her delicate, thoughtful face.
evening
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From this reading TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS In the twilight of the long spring evening, Ruth sat waiting in the bare room which had been Arnold's habitation during these days of his struggle against poverty.
expression
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From this reading Her eyes were unnaturally bright, her expression seemed to have borrowed something of that wistful earnestness of one of the earlier Madonnas, seeking with pathetic strenuousness to discover the germs of a truth which was as yet unborn.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her eyes were unnaturally bright, her expression seemed to have borrowed something of that wistful earnestness of one of the earlier Madonnas, seeking with pathetic strenuousness to discover the germs of a truth which was as yet unborn.
face
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From this reading She was sitting on the couch, drawn up as usual to the window, her elbows upon her knees, her hands supporting her delicate, thoughtful face.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Already the color which the sunshine had brought seemed to have been drained from her cheeks.
germs
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From this reading Her eyes were unnaturally bright, her expression seemed to have borrowed something of that wistful earnestness of one of the earlier Madonnas, seeking with pathetic strenuousness to discover the germs of a truth which was as yet unborn.
habitation
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From this reading TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS In the twilight of the long spring evening, Ruth sat waiting in the bare room which had been Arnold's habitation during these days of his struggle against poverty.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS In the twilight of the long spring evening, Ruth sat waiting in the bare room which had been Arnold's habitation during these days of his struggle against poverty.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading She was sitting on the couch, drawn up as usual to the window, her elbows upon her knees, her hands supporting her delicate, thoughtful face.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Already the color which the sunshine had brought seemed to have been drained from her cheeks.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was sitting on the couch, drawn up as usual to the window, her elbows upon her knees, her hands supporting her delicate, thoughtful face.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS In the twilight of the long spring evening, Ruth sat waiting in the bare room which had been Arnold's habitation during these days of his struggle against poverty.
hovered
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From this reading The clouds, which hung low over the other side of the river, were tinged with an unusual coloring, smoke-stained as they hovered over the chimneys.
hung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clouds, which hung low over the other side of the river, were tinged with an unusual coloring, smoke-stained as they hovered over the chimneys.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS In the twilight of the long spring evening, Ruth sat waiting in the bare room which had been Arnold's habitation during these days of his struggle against poverty.
knees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was sitting on the couch, drawn up as usual to the window, her elbows upon her knees, her hands supporting her delicate, thoughtful face.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS In the twilight of the long spring evening, Ruth sat waiting in the bare room which had been Arnold's habitation during these days of his struggle against poverty.
low
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clouds, which hung low over the other side of the river, were tinged with an unusual coloring, smoke-stained as they hovered over the chimneys.
Madonnas
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From this reading Her eyes were unnaturally bright, her expression seemed to have borrowed something of that wistful earnestness of one of the earlier Madonnas, seeking with pathetic strenuousness to discover the germs of a truth which was as yet unborn.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS In the twilight of the long spring evening, Ruth sat waiting in the bare room which had been Arnold's habitation during these days of his struggle against poverty.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She was sitting on the couch, drawn up as usual to the window, her elbows upon her knees, her hands supporting her delicate, thoughtful face.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Her eyes were unnaturally bright, her expression seemed to have borrowed something of that wistful earnestness of one of the earlier Madonnas, seeking with pathetic strenuousness to discover the germs of a truth which was as yet unborn.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clouds, which hung low over the other side of the river, were tinged with an unusual coloring, smoke-stained as they hovered over the chimneys.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The clouds, which hung low over the other side of the river, were tinged with an unusual coloring, smoke-stained as they hovered over the chimneys.
pathetic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her eyes were unnaturally bright, her expression seemed to have borrowed something of that wistful earnestness of one of the earlier Madonnas, seeking with pathetic strenuousness to discover the germs of a truth which was as yet unborn.
poverty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS In the twilight of the long spring evening, Ruth sat waiting in the bare room which had been Arnold's habitation during these days of his struggle against poverty.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clouds, which hung low over the other side of the river, were tinged with an unusual coloring, smoke-stained as they hovered over the chimneys.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS In the twilight of the long spring evening, Ruth sat waiting in the bare room which had been Arnold's habitation during these days of his struggle against poverty.
Ruth
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From this reading TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS In the twilight of the long spring evening, Ruth sat waiting in the bare room which had been Arnold's habitation during these days of his struggle against poverty.
sat
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From this reading TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS In the twilight of the long spring evening, Ruth sat waiting in the bare room which had been Arnold's habitation during these days of his struggle against poverty.
seeking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her eyes were unnaturally bright, her expression seemed to have borrowed something of that wistful earnestness of one of the earlier Madonnas, seeking with pathetic strenuousness to discover the germs of a truth which was as yet unborn.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Already the color which the sunshine had brought seemed to have been drained from her cheeks.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was sitting on the couch, drawn up as usual to the window, her elbows upon her knees, her hands supporting her delicate, thoughtful face.
SHIPS
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From this reading TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS In the twilight of the long spring evening, Ruth sat waiting in the bare room which had been Arnold's habitation during these days of his struggle against poverty.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clouds, which hung low over the other side of the river, were tinged with an unusual coloring, smoke-stained as they hovered over the chimneys.
sitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was sitting on the couch, drawn up as usual to the window, her elbows upon her knees, her hands supporting her delicate, thoughtful face.
smoke-stained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clouds, which hung low over the other side of the river, were tinged with an unusual coloring, smoke-stained as they hovered over the chimneys.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Her eyes were unnaturally bright, her expression seemed to have borrowed something of that wistful earnestness of one of the earlier Madonnas, seeking with pathetic strenuousness to discover the germs of a truth which was as yet unborn.
spring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS In the twilight of the long spring evening, Ruth sat waiting in the bare room which had been Arnold's habitation during these days of his struggle against poverty.
strenuousness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her eyes were unnaturally bright, her expression seemed to have borrowed something of that wistful earnestness of one of the earlier Madonnas, seeking with pathetic strenuousness to discover the germs of a truth which was as yet unborn.
struggle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS In the twilight of the long spring evening, Ruth sat waiting in the bare room which had been Arnold's habitation during these days of his struggle against poverty.
sunshine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already the color which the sunshine had brought seemed to have been drained from her cheeks.
supporting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was sitting on the couch, drawn up as usual to the window, her elbows upon her knees, her hands supporting her delicate, thoughtful face.
TALK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS In the twilight of the long spring evening, Ruth sat waiting in the bare room which had been Arnold's habitation during these days of his struggle against poverty.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Her eyes were unnaturally bright, her expression seemed to have borrowed something of that wistful earnestness of one of the earlier Madonnas, seeking with pathetic strenuousness to discover the germs of a truth which was as yet unborn.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS In the twilight of the long spring evening, Ruth sat waiting in the bare room which had been Arnold's habitation during these days of his struggle against poverty.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS In the twilight of the long spring evening, Ruth sat waiting in the bare room which had been Arnold's habitation during these days of his struggle against poverty.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The clouds, which hung low over the other side of the river, were tinged with an unusual coloring, smoke-stained as they hovered over the chimneys.
thoughtful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was sitting on the couch, drawn up as usual to the window, her elbows upon her knees, her hands supporting her delicate, thoughtful face.
tinged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clouds, which hung low over the other side of the river, were tinged with an unusual coloring, smoke-stained as they hovered over the chimneys.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She was sitting on the couch, drawn up as usual to the window, her elbows upon her knees, her hands supporting her delicate, thoughtful face.
TREASURE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS In the twilight of the long spring evening, Ruth sat waiting in the bare room which had been Arnold's habitation during these days of his struggle against poverty.
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her eyes were unnaturally bright, her expression seemed to have borrowed something of that wistful earnestness of one of the earlier Madonnas, seeking with pathetic strenuousness to discover the germs of a truth which was as yet unborn.
twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the dim light before night or sunrise
From this reading TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS In the twilight of the long spring evening, Ruth sat waiting in the bare room which had been Arnold's habitation during these days of his struggle against poverty.
unborn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her eyes were unnaturally bright, her expression seemed to have borrowed something of that wistful earnestness of one of the earlier Madonnas, seeking with pathetic strenuousness to discover the germs of a truth which was as yet unborn.
unnaturally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her eyes were unnaturally bright, her expression seemed to have borrowed something of that wistful earnestness of one of the earlier Madonnas, seeking with pathetic strenuousness to discover the germs of a truth which was as yet unborn.
unusual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clouds, which hung low over the other side of the river, were tinged with an unusual coloring, smoke-stained as they hovered over the chimneys.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was sitting on the couch, drawn up as usual to the window, her elbows upon her knees, her hands supporting her delicate, thoughtful face.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She was sitting on the couch, drawn up as usual to the window, her elbows upon her knees, her hands supporting her delicate, thoughtful face.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was sitting on the couch, drawn up as usual to the window, her elbows upon her knees, her hands supporting her delicate, thoughtful face.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS In the twilight of the long spring evening, Ruth sat waiting in the bare room which had been Arnold's habitation during these days of his struggle against poverty.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was sitting on the couch, drawn up as usual to the window, her elbows upon her knees, her hands supporting her delicate, thoughtful face.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her eyes were unnaturally bright, her expression seemed to have borrowed something of that wistful earnestness of one of the earlier Madonnas, seeking with pathetic strenuousness to discover the germs of a truth which was as yet unborn.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS In the twilight of the long spring evening, Ruth sat waiting in the bare room which had been Arnold's habitation during these days of his struggle against poverty.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was sitting on the couch, drawn up as usual to the window, her elbows upon her knees, her hands supporting her delicate, thoughtful face.
wistful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her eyes were unnaturally bright, her expression seemed to have borrowed something of that wistful earnestness of one of the earlier Madonnas, seeking with pathetic strenuousness to discover the germs of a truth which was as yet unborn.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Her eyes were unnaturally bright, her expression seemed to have borrowed something of that wistful earnestness of one of the earlier Madonnas, seeking with pathetic strenuousness to discover the germs of a truth which was as yet unborn.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Her eyes were unnaturally bright, her expression seemed to have borrowed something of that wistful earnestness of one of the earlier Madonnas, seeking with pathetic strenuousness to discover the germs of a truth which was as yet unborn.