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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 Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
afterwards
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From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading The village of Birlstone is a small and very ancient cluster of half-timbered cottages on the northern border of the county of Sussex.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading For centuries it had remained unchanged; but within the last few years its picturesque appearance and situation have attracted a number of well-to-do residents, whose villas peep out from the woods around.
appreciate
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From this reading Only in this way can I make the reader appreciate the people concerned and the strange setting in which their fate was cast.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These woods are locally supposed to be the extreme fringe of the great Weald forest, which thins away until it reaches the northern chalk downs.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading For centuries it had remained unchanged; but within the last few years its picturesque appearance and situation have attracted a number of well-to-do residents, whose villas peep out from the woods around.
arrived
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From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
ask
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From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
attracted
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From this reading For centuries it had remained unchanged; but within the last few years its picturesque appearance and situation have attracted a number of well-to-do residents, whose villas peep out from the woods around.
away
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From this reading These woods are locally supposed to be the extreme fringe of the great Weald forest, which thins away until it reaches the northern chalk downs.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading These woods are locally supposed to be the extreme fringe of the great Weald forest, which thins away until it reaches the northern chalk downs.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
Birlstone
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From this reading The village of Birlstone is a small and very ancient cluster of half-timbered cottages on the northern border of the county of Sussex.
border
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From this reading The village of Birlstone is a small and very ancient cluster of half-timbered cottages on the northern border of the county of Sussex.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For centuries it had remained unchanged; but within the last few years its picturesque appearance and situation have attracted a number of well-to-do residents, whose villas peep out from the woods around.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
came
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From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Only in this way can I make the reader appreciate the people concerned and the strange setting in which their fate was cast.
cast
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From this reading Only in this way can I make the reader appreciate the people concerned and the strange setting in which their fate was cast.
centuries
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From this reading For centuries it had remained unchanged; but within the last few years its picturesque appearance and situation have attracted a number of well-to-do residents, whose villas peep out from the woods around.
chalknounUS /tʃɔːk/
A soft white limestone used for marking doors, stone walls, and slate.
From this reading These woods are locally supposed to be the extreme fringe of the great Weald forest, which thins away until it reaches the northern chalk downs.
cluster
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From this reading The village of Birlstone is a small and very ancient cluster of half-timbered cottages on the northern border of the county of Sussex.
concerned
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From this reading Only in this way can I make the reader appreciate the people concerned and the strange setting in which their fate was cast.
cottages
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From this reading The village of Birlstone is a small and very ancient cluster of half-timbered cottages on the northern border of the county of Sussex.
county
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From this reading The village of Birlstone is a small and very ancient cluster of half-timbered cottages on the northern border of the county of Sussex.
describe
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From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
downs
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From this reading These woods are locally supposed to be the extreme fringe of the great Weald forest, which thins away until it reaches the northern chalk downs.
events
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From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
extreme
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From this reading These woods are locally supposed to be the extreme fringe of the great Weald forest, which thins away until it reaches the northern chalk downs.
fate
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From this reading Only in this way can I make the reader appreciate the people concerned and the strange setting in which their fate was cast.
few
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From this reading For centuries it had remained unchanged; but within the last few years its picturesque appearance and situation have attracted a number of well-to-do residents, whose villas peep out from the woods around.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
forest
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From this reading These woods are locally supposed to be the extreme fringe of the great Weald forest, which thins away until it reaches the northern chalk downs.
fringe
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From this reading These woods are locally supposed to be the extreme fringe of the great Weald forest, which thins away until it reaches the northern chalk downs.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading For centuries it had remained unchanged; but within the last few years its picturesque appearance and situation have attracted a number of well-to-do residents, whose villas peep out from the woods around.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading These woods are locally supposed to be the extreme fringe of the great Weald forest, which thins away until it reaches the northern chalk downs.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For centuries it had remained unchanged; but within the last few years its picturesque appearance and situation have attracted a number of well-to-do residents, whose villas peep out from the woods around.
half-timbered
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From this reading The village of Birlstone is a small and very ancient cluster of half-timbered cottages on the northern border of the county of Sussex.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading For centuries it had remained unchanged; but within the last few years its picturesque appearance and situation have attracted a number of well-to-do residents, whose villas peep out from the woods around.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Only in this way can I make the reader appreciate the people concerned and the strange setting in which their fate was cast.
insignificant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The village of Birlstone is a small and very ancient cluster of half-timbered cottages on the northern border of the county of Sussex.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For centuries it had remained unchanged; but within the last few years its picturesque appearance and situation have attracted a number of well-to-do residents, whose villas peep out from the woods around.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading For centuries it had remained unchanged; but within the last few years its picturesque appearance and situation have attracted a number of well-to-do residents, whose villas peep out from the woods around.
knowledge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For centuries it had remained unchanged; but within the last few years its picturesque appearance and situation have attracted a number of well-to-do residents, whose villas peep out from the woods around.
leave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
locally
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From this reading These woods are locally supposed to be the extreme fringe of the great Weald forest, which thins away until it reaches the northern chalk downs.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Only in this way can I make the reader appreciate the people concerned and the strange setting in which their fate was cast.
moment
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From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
northern
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From this reading The village of Birlstone is a small and very ancient cluster of half-timbered cottages on the northern border of the county of Sussex.
Now
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From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
number
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From this reading For centuries it had remained unchanged; but within the last few years its picturesque appearance and situation have attracted a number of well-to-do residents, whose villas peep out from the woods around.
occurred
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From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The village of Birlstone is a small and very ancient cluster of half-timbered cottages on the northern border of the county of Sussex.
Only
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From this reading Only in this way can I make the reader appreciate the people concerned and the strange setting in which their fate was cast.
out
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From this reading For centuries it had remained unchanged; but within the last few years its picturesque appearance and situation have attracted a number of well-to-do residents, whose villas peep out from the woods around.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
peep
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From this reading For centuries it had remained unchanged; but within the last few years its picturesque appearance and situation have attracted a number of well-to-do residents, whose villas peep out from the woods around.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only in this way can I make the reader appreciate the people concerned and the strange setting in which their fate was cast.
personality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
picturesque
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For centuries it had remained unchanged; but within the last few years its picturesque appearance and situation have attracted a number of well-to-do residents, whose villas peep out from the woods around.
reaches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These woods are locally supposed to be the extreme fringe of the great Weald forest, which thins away until it reaches the northern chalk downs.
reader
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only in this way can I make the reader appreciate the people concerned and the strange setting in which their fate was cast.
remainednounUS /ˈremained/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading For centuries it had remained unchanged; but within the last few years its picturesque appearance and situation have attracted a number of well-to-do residents, whose villas peep out from the woods around.
remove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
residents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For centuries it had remained unchanged; but within the last few years its picturesque appearance and situation have attracted a number of well-to-do residents, whose villas peep out from the woods around.
scene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
setting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only in this way can I make the reader appreciate the people concerned and the strange setting in which their fate was cast.
situation
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From this reading For centuries it had remained unchanged; but within the last few years its picturesque appearance and situation have attracted a number of well-to-do residents, whose villas peep out from the woods around.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The village of Birlstone is a small and very ancient cluster of half-timbered cottages on the northern border of the county of Sussex.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only in this way can I make the reader appreciate the people concerned and the strange setting in which their fate was cast.
supposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These woods are locally supposed to be the extreme fringe of the great Weald forest, which thins away until it reaches the northern chalk downs.
Sussex
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The village of Birlstone is a small and very ancient cluster of half-timbered cottages on the northern border of the county of Sussex.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Only in this way can I make the reader appreciate the people concerned and the strange setting in which their fate was cast.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These woods are locally supposed to be the extreme fringe of the great Weald forest, which thins away until it reaches the northern chalk downs.
thins
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From this reading These woods are locally supposed to be the extreme fringe of the great Weald forest, which thins away until it reaches the northern chalk downs.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Only in this way can I make the reader appreciate the people concerned and the strange setting in which their fate was cast.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
unchanged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For centuries it had remained unchanged; but within the last few years its picturesque appearance and situation have attracted a number of well-to-do residents, whose villas peep out from the woods around.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading These woods are locally supposed to be the extreme fringe of the great Weald forest, which thins away until it reaches the northern chalk downs.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The village of Birlstone is a small and very ancient cluster of half-timbered cottages on the northern border of the county of Sussex.
village
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The village of Birlstone is a small and very ancient cluster of half-timbered cottages on the northern border of the county of Sussex.
villas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For centuries it had remained unchanged; but within the last few years its picturesque appearance and situation have attracted a number of well-to-do residents, whose villas peep out from the woods around.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Only in this way can I make the reader appreciate the people concerned and the strange setting in which their fate was cast.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only in this way can I make the reader appreciate the people concerned and the strange setting in which their fate was cast.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
Weald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These woods are locally supposed to be the extreme fringe of the great Weald forest, which thins away until it reaches the northern chalk downs.
well-to-do
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For centuries it had remained unchanged; but within the last few years its picturesque appearance and situation have attracted a number of well-to-do residents, whose villas peep out from the woods around.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading For centuries it had remained unchanged; but within the last few years its picturesque appearance and situation have attracted a number of well-to-do residents, whose villas peep out from the woods around.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove my own insignificant personality and to describe events which occurred before we arrived upon the scene by the light of knowledge which came to us afterwards.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading For centuries it had remained unchanged; but within the last few years its picturesque appearance and situation have attracted a number of well-to-do residents, whose villas peep out from the woods around.
woods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For centuries it had remained unchanged; but within the last few years its picturesque appearance and situation have attracted a number of well-to-do residents, whose villas peep out from the woods around.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For centuries it had remained unchanged; but within the last few years its picturesque appearance and situation have attracted a number of well-to-do residents, whose villas peep out from the woods around.
