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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 "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
absolutely
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From this reading "The idea of war against us is absolutely absurd.
absurd
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From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
actually
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From this reading You Foreign Office people would have known if such were actually the case.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
AgainnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!
amazing
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From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
broke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You Foreign Office people would have known if such were actually the case.
chair
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From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
copies
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From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
cry
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From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
dear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!
devoured
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From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
distinct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!
eagerly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
Ella
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
England
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!
excitement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
exclaimed
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From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
exorbitant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
Foreign
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You Foreign Office people would have known if such were actually the case.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
hoarse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
hurrying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The idea of war against us is absolutely absurd.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading You Foreign Office people would have known if such were actually the case.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "The idea of war against us is absolutely absurd.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You Foreign Office people would have known if such were actually the case.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
moments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
news
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
Office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You Foreign Office people would have known if such were actually the case.
ominous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!
paper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
papers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
prices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
purchased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
rushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
Spe-shall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading You Foreign Office people would have known if such were actually the case.
Surely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "The idea of war against us is absolutely absurd.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!
War
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!
watching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading You Foreign Office people would have known if such were actually the case.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading You Foreign Office people would have known if such were actually the case.
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You Foreign Office people would have known if such were actually the case.