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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 He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
answer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
appear
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From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
area
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”
big
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From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Mr. Ledbetter, by an effort, smiled a wan propitiatory smile.
chins
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From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
considerable
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From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
delicately-chiselled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
deuce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
distributed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
effort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Ledbetter, by an effort, smiled a wan propitiatory smile.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
features
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”
Ledbetter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
Ledbetter's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
legs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
note
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the note of his voice had a sort of whispering undertone.
number
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
objectionable
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From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
personal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
possessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”
proceeded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
promised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
propitiatory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Ledbetter, by an effort, smiled a wan propitiatory smile.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
remarks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
require
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
smile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Ledbetter, by an effort, smiled a wan propitiatory smile.
smiled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Ledbetter, by an effort, smiled a wan propitiatory smile.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the note of his voice had a sort of whispering undertone.
stout
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
strong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And the note of his voice had a sort of whispering undertone.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”
undertone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the note of his voice had a sort of whispering undertone.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the note of his voice had a sort of whispering undertone.
wan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Ledbetter, by an effort, smiled a wan propitiatory smile.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”
whispering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the note of his voice had a sort of whispering undertone.
whitish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”