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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 “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
admonition
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From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading Mahala instinctively drew back from contact with anything that might soil her clothing or her person.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading At fourteen in appearance Mahala was what she had been destined to be from birth.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At fourteen in appearance Mahala was what she had been destined to be from birth.
attend
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From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
back
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From this reading Mahala instinctively drew back from contact with anything that might soil her clothing or her person.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading At fourteen in appearance Mahala was what she had been destined to be from birth.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading At fourteen in appearance Mahala was what she had been destined to be from birth.
birth
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From this reading At fourteen in appearance Mahala was what she had been destined to be from birth.
birthday
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From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
brilliant
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From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
care
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From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
clothing
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From this reading Mahala instinctively drew back from contact with anything that might soil her clothing or her person.
concerning
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From this reading The only criticism Jemima Davis had ever been known to make concerning Mrs. Spellman was that she was “nasty nice.”
constant
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From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
contact
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From this reading Mahala instinctively drew back from contact with anything that might soil her clothing or her person.
criticism
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From this reading The only criticism Jemima Davis had ever been known to make concerning Mrs. Spellman was that she was “nasty nice.”
daily
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From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
daintiness
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From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
daughter
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From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
Davis
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From this reading The only criticism Jemima Davis had ever been known to make concerning Mrs. Spellman was that she was “nasty nice.”
day
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From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
destined
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From this reading At fourteen in appearance Mahala was what she had been destined to be from birth.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mahala instinctively drew back from contact with anything that might soil her clothing or her person.
drilling
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From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
Elizabeth
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From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The only criticism Jemima Davis had ever been known to make concerning Mrs. Spellman was that she was “nasty nice.”
exquisite
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From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
fourteen
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From this reading At fourteen in appearance Mahala was what she had been destined to be from birth.
friends
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From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading At fourteen in appearance Mahala was what she had been destined to be from birth.
GIFTS
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From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
habitual
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From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At fourteen in appearance Mahala was what she had been destined to be from birth.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At fourteen in appearance Mahala was what she had been destined to be from birth.
instinctively
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From this reading Mahala instinctively drew back from contact with anything that might soil her clothing or her person.
inviting
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From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
Jemima
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From this reading The only criticism Jemima Davis had ever been known to make concerning Mrs. Spellman was that she was “nasty nice.”
known
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From this reading The only criticism Jemima Davis had ever been known to make concerning Mrs. Spellman was that she was “nasty nice.”
LIGHT
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From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
made
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From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
Mahala
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From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The only criticism Jemima Davis had ever been known to make concerning Mrs. Spellman was that she was “nasty nice.”
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Mahala instinctively drew back from contact with anything that might soil her clothing or her person.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only criticism Jemima Davis had ever been known to make concerning Mrs. Spellman was that she was “nasty nice.”
nasty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only criticism Jemima Davis had ever been known to make concerning Mrs. Spellman was that she was “nasty nice.”
nice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only criticism Jemima Davis had ever been known to make concerning Mrs. Spellman was that she was “nasty nice.”
October
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From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only criticism Jemima Davis had ever been known to make concerning Mrs. Spellman was that she was “nasty nice.”
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Mahala instinctively drew back from contact with anything that might soil her clothing or her person.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
particular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
period
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From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
pupils
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
recess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At fourteen in appearance Mahala was what she had been destined to be from birth.
soil
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From this reading Mahala instinctively drew back from contact with anything that might soil her clothing or her person.
SONG
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From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
Spellman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
spent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The only criticism Jemima Davis had ever been known to make concerning Mrs. Spellman was that she was “nasty nice.”
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
unceasing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At fourteen in appearance Mahala was what she had been destined to be from birth.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading At fourteen in appearance Mahala was what she had been destined to be from birth.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading “THE GIFTS OF LIGHT AND SONG” During the recess period of a brilliant October day, Mahala spent her time inviting those pupils of her school who were her particular friends to attend her birthday party.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fourteen years of unceasing drilling, of constant care, of daily admonition on the part of Elizabeth Spellman had made habitual with her daughter an exquisite daintiness of person.
