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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 CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
always
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From this reading Drexley had always had faith in his friend.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
arm
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From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But even Drexley had never believed him capable of such work as this.
atmosphere
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From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
BEFOREprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
believed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
brilliant
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From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But even Drexley had never believed him capable of such work as this.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
CALL
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From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
capable
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From this reading But even Drexley had never believed him capable of such work as this.
clever
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
curiously
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From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
CURTAIN
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From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
dimly-lit
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From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
Douglas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
Drexley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
events
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
expected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
faith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Drexley had always had faith in his friend.
final
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From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
former
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Drexley had always had faith in his friend.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Drexley had always had faith in his friend.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
London
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But even Drexley had never believed him capable of such work as this.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
original
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
picturesque
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
play
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
rehearsal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
squares
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
storm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
streets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
stuffy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
style
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading But even Drexley had never believed him capable of such work as this.
sunlit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
theatre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But even Drexley had never believed him capable of such work as this.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
unique
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
vivid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
voluble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
witty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But even Drexley had never believed him capable of such work as this.
writer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
