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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 For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
administrator
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From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
atomic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
banging
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From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Only instead of its being a smash that opened a way to better things, it might have been a smash without a recovery.
better
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From this reading Only instead of its being a smash that opened a way to better things, it might have been a smash without a recovery.
bombs
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From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
brim
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From this reading He spoke like one who was full to the brim.
broke
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From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
came
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From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
civilisation
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From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
disaster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
Edith
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From this reading ‘_Never_,’ said Edith stoutly....
fancy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
full
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From this reading He spoke like one who was full to the brim.
gave
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From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
gibed
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From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He spoke like one who was full to the brim.
Holsten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
humorous
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From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
induced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
instead
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From this reading Only instead of its being a smash that opened a way to better things, it might have been a smash without a recovery.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Only instead of its being a smash that opened a way to better things, it might have been a smash without a recovery.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
like
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From this reading He spoke like one who was full to the brim.
men
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From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Only instead of its being a smash that opened a way to better things, it might have been a smash without a recovery.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
NevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘_Never_,’ said Edith stoutly....
new
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From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
Only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only instead of its being a smash that opened a way to better things, it might have been a smash without a recovery.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only instead of its being a smash that opened a way to better things, it might have been a smash without a recovery.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
personalities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
presently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
prove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
radio-activity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
recovery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only instead of its being a smash that opened a way to better things, it might have been a smash without a recovery.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘_Never_,’ said Edith stoutly....
scientific
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
sir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
smash
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only instead of its being a smash that opened a way to better things, it might have been a smash without a recovery.
smashed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
smiling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
spoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He spoke like one who was full to the brim.
stoutly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘_Never_,’ said Edith stoutly....
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He spoke like one who was full to the brim.
turn
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From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He spoke like one who was full to the brim.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only instead of its being a smash that opened a way to better things, it might have been a smash without a recovery.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He spoke like one who was full to the brim.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Only instead of its being a smash that opened a way to better things, it might have been a smash without a recovery.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ‘You know, sir, I’ve a fancy—it is hard to prove such things—that civilisation was very near disaster when the atomic bombs came banging into it, that if there had been no Holsten and no induced radio-activity, the world would have—smashed—much as it did.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a time the talk broke into humorous personalities, and the young people gibed at each other across the smiling old administrator, and then presently one of the young scientific men gave things a new turn.