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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 If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
angels
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From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
balk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
beings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
Ben
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
best
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From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
calculating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
chance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
comfort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And there was much comfort in the thought.
contemporary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
creatures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
deceive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
false
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
founded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
humorists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
innocent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
INTERVIEW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST INTERVIEW.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
LASTnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE LAST INTERVIEW.
learned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
merchandising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
mistake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
Mothers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And there was much comfort in the thought.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
novels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
Renton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
shoes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
sketches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
sordid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
studies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LAST INTERVIEW.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And there was much comfort in the thought.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
unloose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
virtuous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
worthyadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːr.ði/
Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
