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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 A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AS the gig rattled down the hill and past the end of Penrose’s road, Tom leaned forward and looked up toward the spot where he had met Isaac Naylor the day before.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The houses were clustered more thickly together around the outskirts of the town.
ASconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading AS the gig rattled down the hill and past the end of Penrose’s road, Tom leaned forward and looked up toward the spot where he had met Isaac Naylor the day before.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading AS the gig rattled down the hill and past the end of Penrose’s road, Tom leaned forward and looked up toward the spot where he had met Isaac Naylor the day before.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
broke
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From this reading At last they reached the level road that led into Eastcaster, and the nag broke into a trot.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
clustered
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From this reading The houses were clustered more thickly together around the outskirts of the town.
collected
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From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Of course, the news had spread everywhere, and knots of people were gathered here and there talking the matter over.
curiosity
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From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
day
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From this reading AS the gig rattled down the hill and past the end of Penrose’s road, Tom leaned forward and looked up toward the spot where he had met Isaac Naylor the day before.
down
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From this reading AS the gig rattled down the hill and past the end of Penrose’s road, Tom leaned forward and looked up toward the spot where he had met Isaac Naylor the day before.
earnestly
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From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
Eastcaster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last they reached the level road that led into Eastcaster, and the nag broke into a trot.
end
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From this reading AS the gig rattled down the hill and past the end of Penrose’s road, Tom leaned forward and looked up toward the spot where he had met Isaac Naylor the day before.
everywhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, the news had spread everywhere, and knots of people were gathered here and there talking the matter over.
fence
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From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AS the gig rattled down the hill and past the end of Penrose’s road, Tom leaned forward and looked up toward the spot where he had met Isaac Naylor the day before.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
gathered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
gig
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS the gig rattled down the hill and past the end of Penrose’s road, Tom leaned forward and looked up toward the spot where he had met Isaac Naylor the day before.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading AS the gig rattled down the hill and past the end of Penrose’s road, Tom leaned forward and looked up toward the spot where he had met Isaac Naylor the day before.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading AS the gig rattled down the hill and past the end of Penrose’s road, Tom leaned forward and looked up toward the spot where he had met Isaac Naylor the day before.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Of course, the news had spread everywhere, and knots of people were gathered here and there talking the matter over.
hill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS the gig rattled down the hill and past the end of Penrose’s road, Tom leaned forward and looked up toward the spot where he had met Isaac Naylor the day before.
houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The houses were clustered more thickly together around the outskirts of the town.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading At last they reached the level road that led into Eastcaster, and the nag broke into a trot.
Isaac
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS the gig rattled down the hill and past the end of Penrose’s road, Tom leaned forward and looked up toward the spot where he had met Isaac Naylor the day before.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
knot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
knots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, the news had spread everywhere, and knots of people were gathered here and there talking the matter over.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At last they reached the level road that led into Eastcaster, and the nag broke into a trot.
leaned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS the gig rattled down the hill and past the end of Penrose’s road, Tom leaned forward and looked up toward the spot where he had met Isaac Naylor the day before.
leaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last they reached the level road that led into Eastcaster, and the nag broke into a trot.
level
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last they reached the level road that led into Eastcaster, and the nag broke into a trot.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AS the gig rattled down the hill and past the end of Penrose’s road, Tom leaned forward and looked up toward the spot where he had met Isaac Naylor the day before.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, the news had spread everywhere, and knots of people were gathered here and there talking the matter over.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS the gig rattled down the hill and past the end of Penrose’s road, Tom leaned forward and looked up toward the spot where he had met Isaac Naylor the day before.
morbid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The houses were clustered more thickly together around the outskirts of the town.
nag
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last they reached the level road that led into Eastcaster, and the nag broke into a trot.
Naylor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS the gig rattled down the hill and past the end of Penrose’s road, Tom leaned forward and looked up toward the spot where he had met Isaac Naylor the day before.
news
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, the news had spread everywhere, and knots of people were gathered here and there talking the matter over.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AS the gig rattled down the hill and past the end of Penrose’s road, Tom leaned forward and looked up toward the spot where he had met Isaac Naylor the day before.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
outskirts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The houses were clustered more thickly together around the outskirts of the town.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Of course, the news had spread everywhere, and knots of people were gathered here and there talking the matter over.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS the gig rattled down the hill and past the end of Penrose’s road, Tom leaned forward and looked up toward the spot where he had met Isaac Naylor the day before.
Penrose's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS the gig rattled down the hill and past the end of Penrose’s road, Tom leaned forward and looked up toward the spot where he had met Isaac Naylor the day before.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
rattled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS the gig rattled down the hill and past the end of Penrose’s road, Tom leaned forward and looked up toward the spot where he had met Isaac Naylor the day before.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last they reached the level road that led into Eastcaster, and the nag broke into a trot.
road
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS the gig rattled down the hill and past the end of Penrose’s road, Tom leaned forward and looked up toward the spot where he had met Isaac Naylor the day before.
sitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
spot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS the gig rattled down the hill and past the end of Penrose’s road, Tom leaned forward and looked up toward the spot where he had met Isaac Naylor the day before.
spread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, the news had spread everywhere, and knots of people were gathered here and there talking the matter over.
stirs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
talking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AS the gig rattled down the hill and past the end of Penrose’s road, Tom leaned forward and looked up toward the spot where he had met Isaac Naylor the day before.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
thickly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The houses were clustered more thickly together around the outskirts of the town.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
Tom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS the gig rattled down the hill and past the end of Penrose’s road, Tom leaned forward and looked up toward the spot where he had met Isaac Naylor the day before.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading AS the gig rattled down the hill and past the end of Penrose’s road, Tom leaned forward and looked up toward the spot where he had met Isaac Naylor the day before.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The houses were clustered more thickly together around the outskirts of the town.
trot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last they reached the level road that led into Eastcaster, and the nag broke into a trot.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS the gig rattled down the hill and past the end of Penrose’s road, Tom leaned forward and looked up toward the spot where he had met Isaac Naylor the day before.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A knot of people had gathered about the place where the body had been found, collected there by the morbid curiosity that stirs men at such a time; they were talking earnestly together, some sitting on the fence, some leaning against it.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading AS the gig rattled down the hill and past the end of Penrose’s road, Tom leaned forward and looked up toward the spot where he had met Isaac Naylor the day before.
