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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 PARLEY AND A PRAYER.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had greeted him with a little air of weariness--but not unfriendly--and, as he took her hand, she looked at him with some indefinite question in her eyes.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had been alone with Margery for half an hour, and something in the music--or was it only fancy?--told him that her thoughts were occupied with him.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A PARLEY AND A PRAYER.
Andrew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She had greeted him with a little air of weariness--but not unfriendly--and, as he took her hand, she looked at him with some indefinite question in her eyes.
atmosphere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had been alone with Margery for half an hour, and something in the music--or was it only fancy?--told him that her thoughts were occupied with him.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The impression made by this gained on him as they talked, and, more strongly, as he played.
came
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From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
change
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had greeted him with a little air of weariness--but not unfriendly--and, as he took her hand, she looked at him with some indefinite question in her eyes.
fancy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been alone with Margery for half an hour, and something in the music--or was it only fancy?--told him that her thoughts were occupied with him.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had been alone with Margery for half an hour, and something in the music--or was it only fancy?--told him that her thoughts were occupied with him.
gained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The impression made by this gained on him as they talked, and, more strongly, as he played.
greeted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had greeted him with a little air of weariness--but not unfriendly--and, as he took her hand, she looked at him with some indefinite question in her eyes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had been alone with Margery for half an hour, and something in the music--or was it only fancy?--told him that her thoughts were occupied with him.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had been alone with Margery for half an hour, and something in the music--or was it only fancy?--told him that her thoughts were occupied with him.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had greeted him with a little air of weariness--but not unfriendly--and, as he took her hand, she looked at him with some indefinite question in her eyes.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had been alone with Margery for half an hour, and something in the music--or was it only fancy?--told him that her thoughts were occupied with him.
heels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He had been alone with Margery for half an hour, and something in the music--or was it only fancy?--told him that her thoughts were occupied with him.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been alone with Margery for half an hour, and something in the music--or was it only fancy?--told him that her thoughts were occupied with him.
impression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The impression made by this gained on him as they talked, and, more strongly, as he played.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
indefinite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had greeted him with a little air of weariness--but not unfriendly--and, as he took her hand, she looked at him with some indefinite question in her eyes.
intimacy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had been alone with Margery for half an hour, and something in the music--or was it only fancy?--told him that her thoughts were occupied with him.
June
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She had greeted him with a little air of weariness--but not unfriendly--and, as he took her hand, she looked at him with some indefinite question in her eyes.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She had greeted him with a little air of weariness--but not unfriendly--and, as he took her hand, she looked at him with some indefinite question in her eyes.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The impression made by this gained on him as they talked, and, more strongly, as he played.
Margery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been alone with Margery for half an hour, and something in the music--or was it only fancy?--told him that her thoughts were occupied with him.
Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The impression made by this gained on him as they talked, and, more strongly, as he played.
music
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been alone with Margery for half an hour, and something in the music--or was it only fancy?--told him that her thoughts were occupied with him.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She had greeted him with a little air of weariness--but not unfriendly--and, as he took her hand, she looked at him with some indefinite question in her eyes.
occupied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been alone with Margery for half an hour, and something in the music--or was it only fancy?--told him that her thoughts were occupied with him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The impression made by this gained on him as they talked, and, more strongly, as he played.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been alone with Margery for half an hour, and something in the music--or was it only fancy?--told him that her thoughts were occupied with him.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He had been alone with Margery for half an hour, and something in the music--or was it only fancy?--told him that her thoughts were occupied with him.
PARLEY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PARLEY AND A PRAYER.
paused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
played
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The impression made by this gained on him as they talked, and, more strongly, as he played.
playing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
PRAYER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PARLEY AND A PRAYER.
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She had greeted him with a little air of weariness--but not unfriendly--and, as he took her hand, she looked at him with some indefinite question in her eyes.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had greeted him with a little air of weariness--but not unfriendly--and, as he took her hand, she looked at him with some indefinite question in her eyes.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had greeted him with a little air of weariness--but not unfriendly--and, as he took her hand, she looked at him with some indefinite question in her eyes.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading He had been alone with Margery for half an hour, and something in the music--or was it only fancy?--told him that her thoughts were occupied with him.
strongly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The impression made by this gained on him as they talked, and, more strongly, as he played.
talked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The impression made by this gained on him as they talked, and, more strongly, as he played.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had been alone with Margery for half an hour, and something in the music--or was it only fancy?--told him that her thoughts were occupied with him.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The impression made by this gained on him as they talked, and, more strongly, as he played.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The impression made by this gained on him as they talked, and, more strongly, as he played.
thoughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been alone with Margery for half an hour, and something in the music--or was it only fancy?--told him that her thoughts were occupied with him.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had been alone with Margery for half an hour, and something in the music--or was it only fancy?--told him that her thoughts were occupied with him.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She had greeted him with a little air of weariness--but not unfriendly--and, as he took her hand, she looked at him with some indefinite question in her eyes.
touch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
unfriendly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had greeted him with a little air of weariness--but not unfriendly--and, as he took her hand, she looked at him with some indefinite question in her eyes.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading May was close upon the heels of June before there came a change, but one afternoon, as Andrew paused in his playing, an atmosphere of new intimacy seemed to touch him.
weariness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had greeted him with a little air of weariness--but not unfriendly--and, as he took her hand, she looked at him with some indefinite question in her eyes.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He had been alone with Margery for half an hour, and something in the music--or was it only fancy?--told him that her thoughts were occupied with him.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had been alone with Margery for half an hour, and something in the music--or was it only fancy?--told him that her thoughts were occupied with him.
