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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 There is no better fence than good manners, and it is really impossible to squabble with a person who preserves a studied politeness.
all
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From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They went in their best dresses and took their tennis rackets with them.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Greek meets Greek On the last Saturday in March, by special invitation from Mrs. Glyn Williams, the Ramsays spent the day at The Warren.
awkward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
behaviour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They went in their best dresses and took their tennis rackets with them.
better
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From this reading There is no better fence than good manners, and it is really impossible to squabble with a person who preserves a studied politeness.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Greek meets Greek On the last Saturday in March, by special invitation from Mrs. Glyn Williams, the Ramsays spent the day at The Warren.
coercive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Greek meets Greek On the last Saturday in March, by special invitation from Mrs. Glyn Williams, the Ramsays spent the day at The Warren.
demands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading To-day, however, the Glyn Williams did not wish for quarrels.
dresses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They went in their best dresses and took their tennis rackets with them.
evading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
fence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is no better fence than good manners, and it is really impossible to squabble with a person who preserves a studied politeness.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading To-day, however, the Glyn Williams did not wish for quarrels.
forth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Greek meets Greek On the last Saturday in March, by special invitation from Mrs. Glyn Williams, the Ramsays spent the day at The Warren.
Glyn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Greek meets Greek On the last Saturday in March, by special invitation from Mrs. Glyn Williams, the Ramsays spent the day at The Warren.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There is no better fence than good manners, and it is really impossible to squabble with a person who preserves a studied politeness.
Greek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Greek meets Greek On the last Saturday in March, by special invitation from Mrs. Glyn Williams, the Ramsays spent the day at The Warren.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading To-day, however, the Glyn Williams did not wish for quarrels.
impossible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is no better fence than good manners, and it is really impossible to squabble with a person who preserves a studied politeness.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Greek meets Greek On the last Saturday in March, by special invitation from Mrs. Glyn Williams, the Ramsays spent the day at The Warren.
invitation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Greek meets Greek On the last Saturday in March, by special invitation from Mrs. Glyn Williams, the Ramsays spent the day at The Warren.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Greek meets Greek On the last Saturday in March, by special invitation from Mrs. Glyn Williams, the Ramsays spent the day at The Warren.
manners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is no better fence than good manners, and it is really impossible to squabble with a person who preserves a studied politeness.
March
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Greek meets Greek On the last Saturday in March, by special invitation from Mrs. Glyn Williams, the Ramsays spent the day at The Warren.
Mavis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
meets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Greek meets Greek On the last Saturday in March, by special invitation from Mrs. Glyn Williams, the Ramsays spent the day at The Warren.
Merle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
moods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Greek meets Greek On the last Saturday in March, by special invitation from Mrs. Glyn Williams, the Ramsays spent the day at The Warren.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Greek meets Greek On the last Saturday in March, by special invitation from Mrs. Glyn Williams, the Ramsays spent the day at The Warren.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is no better fence than good manners, and it is really impossible to squabble with a person who preserves a studied politeness.
politeness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is no better fence than good manners, and it is really impossible to squabble with a person who preserves a studied politeness.
preserves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is no better fence than good manners, and it is really impossible to squabble with a person who preserves a studied politeness.
quarrels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day, however, the Glyn Williams did not wish for quarrels.
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
rackets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They went in their best dresses and took their tennis rackets with them.
Ramsays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Greek meets Greek On the last Saturday in March, by special invitation from Mrs. Glyn Williams, the Ramsays spent the day at The Warren.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is no better fence than good manners, and it is really impossible to squabble with a person who preserves a studied politeness.
remembrance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
Saturday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Greek meets Greek On the last Saturday in March, by special invitation from Mrs. Glyn Williams, the Ramsays spent the day at The Warren.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
skirmishes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
society
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
special
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Greek meets Greek On the last Saturday in March, by special invitation from Mrs. Glyn Williams, the Ramsays spent the day at The Warren.
spent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Greek meets Greek On the last Saturday in March, by special invitation from Mrs. Glyn Williams, the Ramsays spent the day at The Warren.
squabble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is no better fence than good manners, and it is really impossible to squabble with a person who preserves a studied politeness.
studied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is no better fence than good manners, and it is really impossible to squabble with a person who preserves a studied politeness.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
tennis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They went in their best dresses and took their tennis rackets with them.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading There is no better fence than good manners, and it is really impossible to squabble with a person who preserves a studied politeness.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Greek meets Greek On the last Saturday in March, by special invitation from Mrs. Glyn Williams, the Ramsays spent the day at The Warren.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They went in their best dresses and took their tennis rackets with them.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They went in their best dresses and took their tennis rackets with them.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They went in their best dresses and took their tennis rackets with them.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
To-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day, however, the Glyn Williams did not wish for quarrels.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They went in their best dresses and took their tennis rackets with them.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
visits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
Warren
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Greek meets Greek On the last Saturday in March, by special invitation from Mrs. Glyn Williams, the Ramsays spent the day at The Warren.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They went in their best dresses and took their tennis rackets with them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading There is no better fence than good manners, and it is really impossible to squabble with a person who preserves a studied politeness.
Williams
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Greek meets Greek On the last Saturday in March, by special invitation from Mrs. Glyn Williams, the Ramsays spent the day at The Warren.
wish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day, however, the Glyn Williams did not wish for quarrels.
wished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not at all sure whether they wished to go, but it was one of those coercive visits which society demands, and which there is no evading, so they set forth, Mavis in one of her quiet moods, and Merle, with an awkward remembrance of past skirmishes, on her very best behaviour.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading They went in their best dresses and took their tennis rackets with them.
