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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 had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
Abbey
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From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
anxiety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
best
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From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
bit
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From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
bosom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
brushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
button-hole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
called
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From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
card-case
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From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
care
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From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
chance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
cheerful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
coat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
damp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
departure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
Despard
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From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
equipped
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From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
expand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
finished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
forth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
fortunenounUS /ˈfortune/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
FRIDAY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading --“TILL FRIDAY.”
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
gentlemannounUS /ˈgentleman/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
geranium
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
getting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
gloom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
hat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
investigation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
mission
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
papers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
Polly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
pride
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
reasonable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
Rollo's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
shabby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
solemn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
succeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
swell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
thus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
TILLprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading --“TILL FRIDAY.”
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”