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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 A STRANGE BIRTHDAY PARTY It was close upon midnight, and one of the oldest and most exclusive of West-end clubs was in a state of great bustle and excitement.
all
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From this reading Sir Allan Beaumerville was giving a supper party to his friends to celebrate his sixtieth birthday, and the guests were all assembled.
Allan
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From this reading Sir Allan Beaumerville was giving a supper party to his friends to celebrate his sixtieth birthday, and the guests were all assembled.
Allan's
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From this reading As midnight struck, however, Sir Allan's great black horses turned into Pall Mall, and a few minutes later he was quietly welcoming his guests, and leading the way into the room which had been reserved for the occasion.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A STRANGE BIRTHDAY PARTY It was close upon midnight, and one of the oldest and most exclusive of West-end clubs was in a state of great bustle and excitement.
arrive
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From this reading Sir Allan himself was the last to arrive.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As midnight struck, however, Sir Allan's great black horses turned into Pall Mall, and a few minutes later he was quietly welcoming his guests, and leading the way into the room which had been reserved for the occasion.
assembled
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From this reading Sir Allan Beaumerville was giving a supper party to his friends to celebrate his sixtieth birthday, and the guests were all assembled.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The final touches had been given to the brilliantly decorated supper table, and the _chef_, who had done his best for the greatest connoisseur and the most liberal member in the club, had twice looked at his watch.
Beaumerville
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From this reading Sir Allan Beaumerville was giving a supper party to his friends to celebrate his sixtieth birthday, and the guests were all assembled.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The final touches had been given to the brilliantly decorated supper table, and the _chef_, who had done his best for the greatest connoisseur and the most liberal member in the club, had twice looked at his watch.
best
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From this reading The final touches had been given to the brilliantly decorated supper table, and the _chef_, who had done his best for the greatest connoisseur and the most liberal member in the club, had twice looked at his watch.
BIRTHDAY
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From this reading A STRANGE BIRTHDAY PARTY It was close upon midnight, and one of the oldest and most exclusive of West-end clubs was in a state of great bustle and excitement.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As midnight struck, however, Sir Allan's great black horses turned into Pall Mall, and a few minutes later he was quietly welcoming his guests, and leading the way into the room which had been reserved for the occasion.
brilliantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The final touches had been given to the brilliantly decorated supper table, and the _chef_, who had done his best for the greatest connoisseur and the most liberal member in the club, had twice looked at his watch.
bustlenounUS /ˈbʌsəl/
busy and excited activity
From this reading A STRANGE BIRTHDAY PARTY It was close upon midnight, and one of the oldest and most exclusive of West-end clubs was in a state of great bustle and excitement.
celebrate
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From this reading Sir Allan Beaumerville was giving a supper party to his friends to celebrate his sixtieth birthday, and the guests were all assembled.
chef
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From this reading The final touches had been given to the brilliantly decorated supper table, and the _chef_, who had done his best for the greatest connoisseur and the most liberal member in the club, had twice looked at his watch.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STRANGE BIRTHDAY PARTY It was close upon midnight, and one of the oldest and most exclusive of West-end clubs was in a state of great bustle and excitement.
club
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The final touches had been given to the brilliantly decorated supper table, and the _chef_, who had done his best for the greatest connoisseur and the most liberal member in the club, had twice looked at his watch.
clubs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STRANGE BIRTHDAY PARTY It was close upon midnight, and one of the oldest and most exclusive of West-end clubs was in a state of great bustle and excitement.
connoisseurnounUS /ˌkɑːnəˈsɜːr/
a person who knows a great deal about the quality of something
From this reading The final touches had been given to the brilliantly decorated supper table, and the _chef_, who had done his best for the greatest connoisseur and the most liberal member in the club, had twice looked at his watch.
decorated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The final touches had been given to the brilliantly decorated supper table, and the _chef_, who had done his best for the greatest connoisseur and the most liberal member in the club, had twice looked at his watch.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The final touches had been given to the brilliantly decorated supper table, and the _chef_, who had done his best for the greatest connoisseur and the most liberal member in the club, had twice looked at his watch.
excitement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STRANGE BIRTHDAY PARTY It was close upon midnight, and one of the oldest and most exclusive of West-end clubs was in a state of great bustle and excitement.
exclusive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STRANGE BIRTHDAY PARTY It was close upon midnight, and one of the oldest and most exclusive of West-end clubs was in a state of great bustle and excitement.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As midnight struck, however, Sir Allan's great black horses turned into Pall Mall, and a few minutes later he was quietly welcoming his guests, and leading the way into the room which had been reserved for the occasion.
final
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The final touches had been given to the brilliantly decorated supper table, and the _chef_, who had done his best for the greatest connoisseur and the most liberal member in the club, had twice looked at his watch.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The final touches had been given to the brilliantly decorated supper table, and the _chef_, who had done his best for the greatest connoisseur and the most liberal member in the club, had twice looked at his watch.
friends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Allan Beaumerville was giving a supper party to his friends to celebrate his sixtieth birthday, and the guests were all assembled.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The final touches had been given to the brilliantly decorated supper table, and the _chef_, who had done his best for the greatest connoisseur and the most liberal member in the club, had twice looked at his watch.
giving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Allan Beaumerville was giving a supper party to his friends to celebrate his sixtieth birthday, and the guests were all assembled.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A STRANGE BIRTHDAY PARTY It was close upon midnight, and one of the oldest and most exclusive of West-end clubs was in a state of great bustle and excitement.
greatest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The final touches had been given to the brilliantly decorated supper table, and the _chef_, who had done his best for the greatest connoisseur and the most liberal member in the club, had twice looked at his watch.
guests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Allan Beaumerville was giving a supper party to his friends to celebrate his sixtieth birthday, and the guests were all assembled.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The final touches had been given to the brilliantly decorated supper table, and the _chef_, who had done his best for the greatest connoisseur and the most liberal member in the club, had twice looked at his watch.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As midnight struck, however, Sir Allan's great black horses turned into Pall Mall, and a few minutes later he was quietly welcoming his guests, and leading the way into the room which had been reserved for the occasion.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Sir Allan himself was the last to arrive.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Sir Allan Beaumerville was giving a supper party to his friends to celebrate his sixtieth birthday, and the guests were all assembled.
horses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As midnight struck, however, Sir Allan's great black horses turned into Pall Mall, and a few minutes later he was quietly welcoming his guests, and leading the way into the room which had been reserved for the occasion.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading As midnight struck, however, Sir Allan's great black horses turned into Pall Mall, and a few minutes later he was quietly welcoming his guests, and leading the way into the room which had been reserved for the occasion.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A STRANGE BIRTHDAY PARTY It was close upon midnight, and one of the oldest and most exclusive of West-end clubs was in a state of great bustle and excitement.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As midnight struck, however, Sir Allan's great black horses turned into Pall Mall, and a few minutes later he was quietly welcoming his guests, and leading the way into the room which had been reserved for the occasion.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A STRANGE BIRTHDAY PARTY It was close upon midnight, and one of the oldest and most exclusive of West-end clubs was in a state of great bustle and excitement.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Sir Allan himself was the last to arrive.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As midnight struck, however, Sir Allan's great black horses turned into Pall Mall, and a few minutes later he was quietly welcoming his guests, and leading the way into the room which had been reserved for the occasion.
leading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As midnight struck, however, Sir Allan's great black horses turned into Pall Mall, and a few minutes later he was quietly welcoming his guests, and leading the way into the room which had been reserved for the occasion.
liberal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The final touches had been given to the brilliantly decorated supper table, and the _chef_, who had done his best for the greatest connoisseur and the most liberal member in the club, had twice looked at his watch.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The final touches had been given to the brilliantly decorated supper table, and the _chef_, who had done his best for the greatest connoisseur and the most liberal member in the club, had twice looked at his watch.
Mall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As midnight struck, however, Sir Allan's great black horses turned into Pall Mall, and a few minutes later he was quietly welcoming his guests, and leading the way into the room which had been reserved for the occasion.
member
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The final touches had been given to the brilliantly decorated supper table, and the _chef_, who had done his best for the greatest connoisseur and the most liberal member in the club, had twice looked at his watch.
midnight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STRANGE BIRTHDAY PARTY It was close upon midnight, and one of the oldest and most exclusive of West-end clubs was in a state of great bustle and excitement.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As midnight struck, however, Sir Allan's great black horses turned into Pall Mall, and a few minutes later he was quietly welcoming his guests, and leading the way into the room which had been reserved for the occasion.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STRANGE BIRTHDAY PARTY It was close upon midnight, and one of the oldest and most exclusive of West-end clubs was in a state of great bustle and excitement.
occasion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As midnight struck, however, Sir Allan's great black horses turned into Pall Mall, and a few minutes later he was quietly welcoming his guests, and leading the way into the room which had been reserved for the occasion.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A STRANGE BIRTHDAY PARTY It was close upon midnight, and one of the oldest and most exclusive of West-end clubs was in a state of great bustle and excitement.
oldest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STRANGE BIRTHDAY PARTY It was close upon midnight, and one of the oldest and most exclusive of West-end clubs was in a state of great bustle and excitement.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A STRANGE BIRTHDAY PARTY It was close upon midnight, and one of the oldest and most exclusive of West-end clubs was in a state of great bustle and excitement.
Pall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As midnight struck, however, Sir Allan's great black horses turned into Pall Mall, and a few minutes later he was quietly welcoming his guests, and leading the way into the room which had been reserved for the occasion.
PARTYnounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A STRANGE BIRTHDAY PARTY It was close upon midnight, and one of the oldest and most exclusive of West-end clubs was in a state of great bustle and excitement.
quietly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As midnight struck, however, Sir Allan's great black horses turned into Pall Mall, and a few minutes later he was quietly welcoming his guests, and leading the way into the room which had been reserved for the occasion.
reserved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As midnight struck, however, Sir Allan's great black horses turned into Pall Mall, and a few minutes later he was quietly welcoming his guests, and leading the way into the room which had been reserved for the occasion.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As midnight struck, however, Sir Allan's great black horses turned into Pall Mall, and a few minutes later he was quietly welcoming his guests, and leading the way into the room which had been reserved for the occasion.
Sir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Allan Beaumerville was giving a supper party to his friends to celebrate his sixtieth birthday, and the guests were all assembled.
sixtieth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Allan Beaumerville was giving a supper party to his friends to celebrate his sixtieth birthday, and the guests were all assembled.
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STRANGE BIRTHDAY PARTY It was close upon midnight, and one of the oldest and most exclusive of West-end clubs was in a state of great bustle and excitement.
STRANGE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STRANGE BIRTHDAY PARTY It was close upon midnight, and one of the oldest and most exclusive of West-end clubs was in a state of great bustle and excitement.
strucknounUS /struck/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As midnight struck, however, Sir Allan's great black horses turned into Pall Mall, and a few minutes later he was quietly welcoming his guests, and leading the way into the room which had been reserved for the occasion.
supper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Allan Beaumerville was giving a supper party to his friends to celebrate his sixtieth birthday, and the guests were all assembled.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The final touches had been given to the brilliantly decorated supper table, and the _chef_, who had done his best for the greatest connoisseur and the most liberal member in the club, had twice looked at his watch.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A STRANGE BIRTHDAY PARTY It was close upon midnight, and one of the oldest and most exclusive of West-end clubs was in a state of great bustle and excitement.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Sir Allan Beaumerville was giving a supper party to his friends to celebrate his sixtieth birthday, and the guests were all assembled.
touches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The final touches had been given to the brilliantly decorated supper table, and the _chef_, who had done his best for the greatest connoisseur and the most liberal member in the club, had twice looked at his watch.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As midnight struck, however, Sir Allan's great black horses turned into Pall Mall, and a few minutes later he was quietly welcoming his guests, and leading the way into the room which had been reserved for the occasion.
twice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The final touches had been given to the brilliantly decorated supper table, and the _chef_, who had done his best for the greatest connoisseur and the most liberal member in the club, had twice looked at his watch.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A STRANGE BIRTHDAY PARTY It was close upon midnight, and one of the oldest and most exclusive of West-end clubs was in a state of great bustle and excitement.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A STRANGE BIRTHDAY PARTY It was close upon midnight, and one of the oldest and most exclusive of West-end clubs was in a state of great bustle and excitement.
watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The final touches had been given to the brilliantly decorated supper table, and the _chef_, who had done his best for the greatest connoisseur and the most liberal member in the club, had twice looked at his watch.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As midnight struck, however, Sir Allan's great black horses turned into Pall Mall, and a few minutes later he was quietly welcoming his guests, and leading the way into the room which had been reserved for the occasion.
welcoming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As midnight struck, however, Sir Allan's great black horses turned into Pall Mall, and a few minutes later he was quietly welcoming his guests, and leading the way into the room which had been reserved for the occasion.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Sir Allan Beaumerville was giving a supper party to his friends to celebrate his sixtieth birthday, and the guests were all assembled.
West-end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STRANGE BIRTHDAY PARTY It was close upon midnight, and one of the oldest and most exclusive of West-end clubs was in a state of great bustle and excitement.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As midnight struck, however, Sir Allan's great black horses turned into Pall Mall, and a few minutes later he was quietly welcoming his guests, and leading the way into the room which had been reserved for the occasion.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The final touches had been given to the brilliantly decorated supper table, and the _chef_, who had done his best for the greatest connoisseur and the most liberal member in the club, had twice looked at his watch.
