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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 For a week it was doubtful whether it would be possible to keep the house open, and during that week Mr. Brown was so paralyzed by his feelings that he was unable to give any assistance.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading For some days after that the whole establishment was engaged in thinking, talking, and giving evidence about the matter, and it was all that the firm could do to keep the retail trade going across the counter.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading For some days after that the whole establishment was engaged in thinking, talking, and giving evidence about the matter, and it was all that the firm could do to keep the retail trade going across the counter.
act
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From this reading George Robinson had been in the very act of coming to an understanding with Mr. Brown as to the proceeds of the business, when he was interrupted by that terrible affair of Mrs. Morony.
affair
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From this reading George Robinson had been in the very act of coming to an understanding with Mr. Brown as to the proceeds of the business, when he was interrupted by that terrible affair of Mrs. Morony.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading For some days after that the whole establishment was engaged in thinking, talking, and giving evidence about the matter, and it was all that the firm could do to keep the retail trade going across the counter.
all
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From this reading For some days after that the whole establishment was engaged in thinking, talking, and giving evidence about the matter, and it was all that the firm could do to keep the retail trade going across the counter.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading George Robinson had been in the very act of coming to an understanding with Mr. Brown as to the proceeds of the business, when he was interrupted by that terrible affair of Mrs. Morony.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For some days after that the whole establishment was engaged in thinking, talking, and giving evidence about the matter, and it was all that the firm could do to keep the retail trade going across the counter.
any
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From this reading For a week it was doubtful whether it would be possible to keep the house open, and during that week Mr. Brown was so paralyzed by his feelings that he was unable to give any assistance.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading George Robinson had been in the very act of coming to an understanding with Mr. Brown as to the proceeds of the business, when he was interrupted by that terrible affair of Mrs. Morony.
assistance
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From this reading For a week it was doubtful whether it would be possible to keep the house open, and during that week Mr. Brown was so paralyzed by his feelings that he was unable to give any assistance.
away
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From this reading Some of the young men and women gave notice, and went away; and others became so indifferent that it was necessary to get rid of them.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading For a week it was doubtful whether it would be possible to keep the house open, and during that week Mr. Brown was so paralyzed by his feelings that he was unable to give any assistance.
became
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From this reading Some of the young men and women gave notice, and went away; and others became so indifferent that it was necessary to get rid of them.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading George Robinson had been in the very act of coming to an understanding with Mr. Brown as to the proceeds of the business, when he was interrupted by that terrible affair of Mrs. Morony.
BROWN
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From this reading MISS BROWN NAMES THE DAY.
business
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From this reading George Robinson had been in the very act of coming to an understanding with Mr. Brown as to the proceeds of the business, when he was interrupted by that terrible affair of Mrs. Morony.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading George Robinson had been in the very act of coming to an understanding with Mr. Brown as to the proceeds of the business, when he was interrupted by that terrible affair of Mrs. Morony.
coming
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From this reading George Robinson had been in the very act of coming to an understanding with Mr. Brown as to the proceeds of the business, when he was interrupted by that terrible affair of Mrs. Morony.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading For some days after that the whole establishment was engaged in thinking, talking, and giving evidence about the matter, and it was all that the firm could do to keep the retail trade going across the counter.
counter
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From this reading For some days after that the whole establishment was engaged in thinking, talking, and giving evidence about the matter, and it was all that the firm could do to keep the retail trade going across the counter.
DAY
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From this reading MISS BROWN NAMES THE DAY.
days
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From this reading For some days after that the whole establishment was engaged in thinking, talking, and giving evidence about the matter, and it was all that the firm could do to keep the retail trade going across the counter.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading For some days after that the whole establishment was engaged in thinking, talking, and giving evidence about the matter, and it was all that the firm could do to keep the retail trade going across the counter.
doubtful
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From this reading For a week it was doubtful whether it would be possible to keep the house open, and during that week Mr. Brown was so paralyzed by his feelings that he was unable to give any assistance.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading For a week it was doubtful whether it would be possible to keep the house open, and during that week Mr. Brown was so paralyzed by his feelings that he was unable to give any assistance.
engaged
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From this reading For some days after that the whole establishment was engaged in thinking, talking, and giving evidence about the matter, and it was all that the firm could do to keep the retail trade going across the counter.
establishment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some days after that the whole establishment was engaged in thinking, talking, and giving evidence about the matter, and it was all that the firm could do to keep the retail trade going across the counter.
evidence
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From this reading For some days after that the whole establishment was engaged in thinking, talking, and giving evidence about the matter, and it was all that the firm could do to keep the retail trade going across the counter.
feelings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a week it was doubtful whether it would be possible to keep the house open, and during that week Mr. Brown was so paralyzed by his feelings that he was unable to give any assistance.
firm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some days after that the whole establishment was engaged in thinking, talking, and giving evidence about the matter, and it was all that the firm could do to keep the retail trade going across the counter.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For some days after that the whole establishment was engaged in thinking, talking, and giving evidence about the matter, and it was all that the firm could do to keep the retail trade going across the counter.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of the young men and women gave notice, and went away; and others became so indifferent that it was necessary to get rid of them.
George
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Robinson had been in the very act of coming to an understanding with Mr. Brown as to the proceeds of the business, when he was interrupted by that terrible affair of Mrs. Morony.
get
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From this reading Some of the young men and women gave notice, and went away; and others became so indifferent that it was necessary to get rid of them.
give
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From this reading For a week it was doubtful whether it would be possible to keep the house open, and during that week Mr. Brown was so paralyzed by his feelings that he was unable to give any assistance.
giving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some days after that the whole establishment was engaged in thinking, talking, and giving evidence about the matter, and it was all that the firm could do to keep the retail trade going across the counter.
going
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From this reading For some days after that the whole establishment was engaged in thinking, talking, and giving evidence about the matter, and it was all that the firm could do to keep the retail trade going across the counter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading George Robinson had been in the very act of coming to an understanding with Mr. Brown as to the proceeds of the business, when he was interrupted by that terrible affair of Mrs. Morony.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading George Robinson had been in the very act of coming to an understanding with Mr. Brown as to the proceeds of the business, when he was interrupted by that terrible affair of Mrs. Morony.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For a week it was doubtful whether it would be possible to keep the house open, and during that week Mr. Brown was so paralyzed by his feelings that he was unable to give any assistance.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a week it was doubtful whether it would be possible to keep the house open, and during that week Mr. Brown was so paralyzed by his feelings that he was unable to give any assistance.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading George Robinson had been in the very act of coming to an understanding with Mr. Brown as to the proceeds of the business, when he was interrupted by that terrible affair of Mrs. Morony.
indifferent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of the young men and women gave notice, and went away; and others became so indifferent that it was necessary to get rid of them.
interruptednounUS /ˈinterrupted/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading George Robinson had been in the very act of coming to an understanding with Mr. Brown as to the proceeds of the business, when he was interrupted by that terrible affair of Mrs. Morony.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For some days after that the whole establishment was engaged in thinking, talking, and giving evidence about the matter, and it was all that the firm could do to keep the retail trade going across the counter.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some days after that the whole establishment was engaged in thinking, talking, and giving evidence about the matter, and it was all that the firm could do to keep the retail trade going across the counter.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some days after that the whole establishment was engaged in thinking, talking, and giving evidence about the matter, and it was all that the firm could do to keep the retail trade going across the counter.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of the young men and women gave notice, and went away; and others became so indifferent that it was necessary to get rid of them.
MISS
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From this reading MISS BROWN NAMES THE DAY.
Morony
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Robinson had been in the very act of coming to an understanding with Mr. Brown as to the proceeds of the business, when he was interrupted by that terrible affair of Mrs. Morony.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Robinson had been in the very act of coming to an understanding with Mr. Brown as to the proceeds of the business, when he was interrupted by that terrible affair of Mrs. Morony.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Robinson had been in the very act of coming to an understanding with Mr. Brown as to the proceeds of the business, when he was interrupted by that terrible affair of Mrs. Morony.
NAMES
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From this reading MISS BROWN NAMES THE DAY.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of the young men and women gave notice, and went away; and others became so indifferent that it was necessary to get rid of them.
notice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of the young men and women gave notice, and went away; and others became so indifferent that it was necessary to get rid of them.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading George Robinson had been in the very act of coming to an understanding with Mr. Brown as to the proceeds of the business, when he was interrupted by that terrible affair of Mrs. Morony.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading For a week it was doubtful whether it would be possible to keep the house open, and during that week Mr. Brown was so paralyzed by his feelings that he was unable to give any assistance.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of the young men and women gave notice, and went away; and others became so indifferent that it was necessary to get rid of them.
paralyzed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a week it was doubtful whether it would be possible to keep the house open, and during that week Mr. Brown was so paralyzed by his feelings that he was unable to give any assistance.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a week it was doubtful whether it would be possible to keep the house open, and during that week Mr. Brown was so paralyzed by his feelings that he was unable to give any assistance.
proceeds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Robinson had been in the very act of coming to an understanding with Mr. Brown as to the proceeds of the business, when he was interrupted by that terrible affair of Mrs. Morony.
retail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some days after that the whole establishment was engaged in thinking, talking, and giving evidence about the matter, and it was all that the firm could do to keep the retail trade going across the counter.
rid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of the young men and women gave notice, and went away; and others became so indifferent that it was necessary to get rid of them.
Robinson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Robinson had been in the very act of coming to an understanding with Mr. Brown as to the proceeds of the business, when he was interrupted by that terrible affair of Mrs. Morony.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Some of the young men and women gave notice, and went away; and others became so indifferent that it was necessary to get rid of them.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some days after that the whole establishment was engaged in thinking, talking, and giving evidence about the matter, and it was all that the firm could do to keep the retail trade going across the counter.
talking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some days after that the whole establishment was engaged in thinking, talking, and giving evidence about the matter, and it was all that the firm could do to keep the retail trade going across the counter.
terriblenounUS /ˈterrible/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading George Robinson had been in the very act of coming to an understanding with Mr. Brown as to the proceeds of the business, when he was interrupted by that terrible affair of Mrs. Morony.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading George Robinson had been in the very act of coming to an understanding with Mr. Brown as to the proceeds of the business, when he was interrupted by that terrible affair of Mrs. Morony.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MISS BROWN NAMES THE DAY.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Some of the young men and women gave notice, and went away; and others became so indifferent that it was necessary to get rid of them.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For some days after that the whole establishment was engaged in thinking, talking, and giving evidence about the matter, and it was all that the firm could do to keep the retail trade going across the counter.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading George Robinson had been in the very act of coming to an understanding with Mr. Brown as to the proceeds of the business, when he was interrupted by that terrible affair of Mrs. Morony.
trade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some days after that the whole establishment was engaged in thinking, talking, and giving evidence about the matter, and it was all that the firm could do to keep the retail trade going across the counter.
unable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a week it was doubtful whether it would be possible to keep the house open, and during that week Mr. Brown was so paralyzed by his feelings that he was unable to give any assistance.
understanding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Robinson had been in the very act of coming to an understanding with Mr. Brown as to the proceeds of the business, when he was interrupted by that terrible affair of Mrs. Morony.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Robinson had been in the very act of coming to an understanding with Mr. Brown as to the proceeds of the business, when he was interrupted by that terrible affair of Mrs. Morony.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading George Robinson had been in the very act of coming to an understanding with Mr. Brown as to the proceeds of the business, when he was interrupted by that terrible affair of Mrs. Morony.
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a week it was doubtful whether it would be possible to keep the house open, and during that week Mr. Brown was so paralyzed by his feelings that he was unable to give any assistance.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Some of the young men and women gave notice, and went away; and others became so indifferent that it was necessary to get rid of them.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading George Robinson had been in the very act of coming to an understanding with Mr. Brown as to the proceeds of the business, when he was interrupted by that terrible affair of Mrs. Morony.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading For a week it was doubtful whether it would be possible to keep the house open, and during that week Mr. Brown was so paralyzed by his feelings that he was unable to give any assistance.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some days after that the whole establishment was engaged in thinking, talking, and giving evidence about the matter, and it was all that the firm could do to keep the retail trade going across the counter.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading George Robinson had been in the very act of coming to an understanding with Mr. Brown as to the proceeds of the business, when he was interrupted by that terrible affair of Mrs. Morony.
women
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of the young men and women gave notice, and went away; and others became so indifferent that it was necessary to get rid of them.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading For a week it was doubtful whether it would be possible to keep the house open, and during that week Mr. Brown was so paralyzed by his feelings that he was unable to give any assistance.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of the young men and women gave notice, and went away; and others became so indifferent that it was necessary to get rid of them.