adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
arrivedverbUS /ərˈaɪvd/
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading “I reckon you look ez if you might have been here before, stranger.”
betrayedverbUS /bɪˈtreɪd/
past form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
boatnounUS /boʊt/
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
broadadjectiveUS /brɔːd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Seated on the broad veranda of the Harcourt House, and gazing out on the well-kept green and young eucalyptus trees of the Harcourt Square or Plaza, he had elicited a counter question from a prosperous-looking citizen who had been lounging at his side.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
citizennounUS /ˈsɪtəzən/
a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community
From this reading Seated on the broad veranda of the Harcourt House, and gazing out on the well-kept green and young eucalyptus trees of the Harcourt Square or Plaza, he had elicited a counter question from a prosperous-looking citizen who had been lounging at his side.
counternounUS /ˈkaʊntər/
table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted
From this reading Seated on the broad veranda of the Harcourt House, and gazing out on the well-kept green and young eucalyptus trees of the Harcourt Square or Plaza, he had elicited a counter question from a prosperous-looking citizen who had been lounging at his side.
creeknounUS /kriːk/
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading But it was when the tules grew in the square opposite, and the tide of the creek washed them.”
elicitedadjectiveUS /ɪˈlɪsɪtɪd/
called forth from a latent or potential state by stimulation
From this reading Seated on the broad veranda of the Harcourt House, and gazing out on the well-kept green and young eucalyptus trees of the Harcourt Square or Plaza, he had elicited a counter question from a prosperous-looking citizen who had been lounging at his side.
eucalyptusnounUS /ˌjuːkəˈlɪptəs/
wood of any of various eucalyptus trees valued as timber
From this reading Seated on the broad veranda of the Harcourt House, and gazing out on the well-kept green and young eucalyptus trees of the Harcourt Square or Plaza, he had elicited a counter question from a prosperous-looking citizen who had been lounging at his side.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
ez
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I reckon you look ez if you might have been here before, stranger.”
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
gazingverbUS /ˈɡeɪzɪŋ/
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Seated on the broad veranda of the Harcourt House, and gazing out on the well-kept green and young eucalyptus trees of the Harcourt Square or Plaza, he had elicited a counter question from a prosperous-looking citizen who had been lounging at his side.
greennounUS /ɡriːn/
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Seated on the broad veranda of the Harcourt House, and gazing out on the well-kept green and young eucalyptus trees of the Harcourt Square or Plaza, he had elicited a counter question from a prosperous-looking citizen who had been lounging at his side.
grewverbUS /ɡruː/
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading But it was when the tules grew in the square opposite, and the tide of the creek washed them.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Seated on the broad veranda of the Harcourt House, and gazing out on the well-kept green and young eucalyptus trees of the Harcourt Square or Plaza, he had elicited a counter question from a prosperous-looking citizen who had been lounging at his side.
half-critical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
half-professional
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
Harcourt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Seated on the broad veranda of the Harcourt House, and gazing out on the well-kept green and young eucalyptus trees of the Harcourt Square or Plaza, he had elicited a counter question from a prosperous-looking citizen who had been lounging at his side.
hereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “I reckon you look ez if you might have been here before, stranger.”
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Seated on the broad veranda of the Harcourt House, and gazing out on the well-kept green and young eucalyptus trees of the Harcourt Square or Plaza, he had elicited a counter question from a prosperous-looking citizen who had been lounging at his side.
HousenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I reckon you look ez if you might have been here before, stranger.”
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “I reckon you look ez if you might have been here before, stranger.”
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But it was when the tules grew in the square opposite, and the tide of the creek washed them.”
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it was when the tules grew in the square opposite, and the tide of the creek washed them.”
knowledgenounUS /ˈnɑːlədʒ/
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
localitynounUS /loʊˈkæləti/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
lookverbUS /lʊk/
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading “I reckon you look ez if you might have been here before, stranger.”
loungingverbUS /ˈlaʊndʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “lounge” — sit or recline comfortably
From this reading Seated on the broad veranda of the Harcourt House, and gazing out on the well-kept green and young eucalyptus trees of the Harcourt Square or Plaza, he had elicited a counter question from a prosperous-looking citizen who had been lounging at his side.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Seated on the broad veranda of the Harcourt House, and gazing out on the well-kept green and young eucalyptus trees of the Harcourt Square or Plaza, he had elicited a counter question from a prosperous-looking citizen who had been lounging at his side.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
opinionnounUS /əˈpɪnjən/
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
oppositeadjectiveUS /ˈɑːpəzət/
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading But it was when the tules grew in the square opposite, and the tide of the creek washed them.”
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Seated on the broad veranda of the Harcourt House, and gazing out on the well-kept green and young eucalyptus trees of the Harcourt Square or Plaza, he had elicited a counter question from a prosperous-looking citizen who had been lounging at his side.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Seated on the broad veranda of the Harcourt House, and gazing out on the well-kept green and young eucalyptus trees of the Harcourt Square or Plaza, he had elicited a counter question from a prosperous-looking citizen who had been lounging at his side.
PlazanounUS /ˈplɑːzə/
a public square with room for pedestrians
From this reading Seated on the broad veranda of the Harcourt House, and gazing out on the well-kept green and young eucalyptus trees of the Harcourt Square or Plaza, he had elicited a counter question from a prosperous-looking citizen who had been lounging at his side.
previousadjectiveUS /ˈpriːviəs/
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
prosperous-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on the broad veranda of the Harcourt House, and gazing out on the well-kept green and young eucalyptus trees of the Harcourt Square or Plaza, he had elicited a counter question from a prosperous-looking citizen who had been lounging at his side.
questionverbUS /ˈkwestʃən/
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Seated on the broad veranda of the Harcourt House, and gazing out on the well-kept green and young eucalyptus trees of the Harcourt Square or Plaza, he had elicited a counter question from a prosperous-looking citizen who had been lounging at his side.
questioningsnounUS /ˈkwestʃənɪŋz/
plural of “questioning” — a request for information
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
quietlyadverbUS /ˈkwaɪətli/
with low volume
From this reading “Yes,” said the stranger quietly, “I have been.
reckonverbUS /ˈrekən/
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading “I reckon you look ez if you might have been here before, stranger.”
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Yes,” said the stranger quietly, “I have been.
SeatedadjectiveUS /ˈsiːtɪd/
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading Seated on the broad veranda of the Harcourt House, and gazing out on the well-kept green and young eucalyptus trees of the Harcourt Square or Plaza, he had elicited a counter question from a prosperous-looking citizen who had been lounging at his side.
shrewdadjectiveUS /ʃruːd/
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
sidenounUS /saɪd/
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Seated on the broad veranda of the Harcourt House, and gazing out on the well-kept green and young eucalyptus trees of the Harcourt Square or Plaza, he had elicited a counter question from a prosperous-looking citizen who had been lounging at his side.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
SquareverbUS /skwer/
make square
From this reading Seated on the broad veranda of the Harcourt House, and gazing out on the well-kept green and young eucalyptus trees of the Harcourt Square or Plaza, he had elicited a counter question from a prosperous-looking citizen who had been lounging at his side.
StocktonnounUS /ˈstɑːktən/
United States writer (1834-1902)
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
strangernounUS /ˈstreɪndʒər/
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading “I reckon you look ez if you might have been here before, stranger.”
summernounUS /ˈsʌmər/
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But it was when the tules grew in the square opposite, and the tide of the creek washed them.”
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
tidenounUS /taɪd/
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading But it was when the tules grew in the square opposite, and the tide of the creek washed them.”
treesnounUS /triːz/
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Seated on the broad veranda of the Harcourt House, and gazing out on the well-kept green and young eucalyptus trees of the Harcourt Square or Plaza, he had elicited a counter question from a prosperous-looking citizen who had been lounging at his side.
tules
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was when the tules grew in the square opposite, and the tide of the creek washed them.”
verandanounUS /vərˈændə/
a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)
From this reading Seated on the broad veranda of the Harcourt House, and gazing out on the well-kept green and young eucalyptus trees of the Harcourt Square or Plaza, he had elicited a counter question from a prosperous-looking citizen who had been lounging at his side.
visitornounUS /ˈvɪzɪtər/
someone who visits
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But it was when the tules grew in the square opposite, and the tide of the creek washed them.”
washedadjectiveUS /wɑːʃt/
clean by virtue of having been washed in water
From this reading But it was when the tules grew in the square opposite, and the tide of the creek washed them.”
well-keptadjective
kept in good condition
From this reading Seated on the broad veranda of the Harcourt House, and gazing out on the well-kept green and young eucalyptus trees of the Harcourt Square or Plaza, he had elicited a counter question from a prosperous-looking citizen who had been lounging at his side.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading But it was when the tules grew in the square opposite, and the tide of the creek washed them.”
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading This might have been the opinion of a visitor at the Harcourt House, who arrived one summer afternoon from the Stockton boat, but whose shrewd, half-critical, half-professional eyes and quiet questionings betrayed some previous knowledge of the locality.
YesnounUS /jes/
an affirmative
From this reading “Yes,” said the stranger quietly, “I have been.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I reckon you look ez if you might have been here before, stranger.”
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Seated on the broad veranda of the Harcourt House, and gazing out on the well-kept green and young eucalyptus trees of the Harcourt Square or Plaza, he had elicited a counter question from a prosperous-looking citizen who had been lounging at his side.
