Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
appearances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie realised that he was being called a liar as unmistakably as a man can be; but at this moment the drill came into full operation, and he merely gripped the arms of the chair.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Hughie realised that he was being called a liar as unmistakably as a man can be; but at this moment the drill came into full operation, and he merely gripped the arms of the chair.
aside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
ATprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
attended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It seems hard to believe," said the dentist morosely, setting the machinery of the drill in motion with his foot, "that your teeth have not been attended to for eight years.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "It seems hard to believe," said the dentist morosely, setting the machinery of the drill in motion with his foot, "that your teeth have not been attended to for eight years.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
BEGINS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Hughie realised that he was being called a liar as unmistakably as a man can be; but at this moment the drill came into full operation, and he merely gripped the arms of the chair.
believenounUS /ˈbelieve/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "It seems hard to believe," said the dentist morosely, setting the machinery of the drill in motion with his foot, "that your teeth have not been attended to for eight years.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Hughie realised that he was being called a liar as unmistakably as a man can be; but at this moment the drill came into full operation, and he merely gripped the arms of the chair.
calculated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie realised that he was being called a liar as unmistakably as a man can be; but at this moment the drill came into full operation, and he merely gripped the arms of the chair.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie realised that he was being called a liar as unmistakably as a man can be; but at this moment the drill came into full operation, and he merely gripped the arms of the chair.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Hughie realised that he was being called a liar as unmistakably as a man can be; but at this moment the drill came into full operation, and he merely gripped the arms of the chair.
cautiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
CHARITY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
circular
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From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
clearance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
contrary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
dentist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
drill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
eight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It seems hard to believe," said the dentist morosely, setting the machinery of the drill in motion with his foot, "that your teeth have not been attended to for eight years.
electric
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From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
excavating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
final
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
fit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "It seems hard to believe," said the dentist morosely, setting the machinery of the drill in motion with his foot, "that your teeth have not been attended to for eight years.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "It seems hard to believe," said the dentist morosely, setting the machinery of the drill in motion with his foot, "that your teeth have not been attended to for eight years.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie realised that he was being called a liar as unmistakably as a man can be; but at this moment the drill came into full operation, and he merely gripped the arms of the chair.
gripped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie realised that he was being called a liar as unmistakably as a man can be; but at this moment the drill came into full operation, and he merely gripped the arms of the chair.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It seems hard to believe," said the dentist morosely, setting the machinery of the drill in motion with his foot, "that your teeth have not been attended to for eight years.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "It seems hard to believe," said the dentist morosely, setting the machinery of the drill in motion with his foot, "that your teeth have not been attended to for eight years.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Hughie realised that he was being called a liar as unmistakably as a man can be; but at this moment the drill came into full operation, and he merely gripped the arms of the chair.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
HISdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
hole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
HOME
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
HUGHIE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
inserted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
job
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
liar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie realised that he was being called a liar as unmistakably as a man can be; but at this moment the drill came into full operation, and he merely gripped the arms of the chair.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A little wider, please!"
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
machinery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It seems hard to believe," said the dentist morosely, setting the machinery of the drill in motion with his foot, "that your teeth have not been attended to for eight years.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
mere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
merely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie realised that he was being called a liar as unmistakably as a man can be; but at this moment the drill came into full operation, and he merely gripped the arms of the chair.
miniature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
MISSES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie realised that he was being called a liar as unmistakably as a man can be; but at this moment the drill came into full operation, and he merely gripped the arms of the chair.
morosely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It seems hard to believe," said the dentist morosely, setting the machinery of the drill in motion with his foot, "that your teeth have not been attended to for eight years.
motion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It seems hard to believe," said the dentist morosely, setting the machinery of the drill in motion with his foot, "that your teeth have not been attended to for eight years.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
operation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie realised that he was being called a liar as unmistakably as a man can be; but at this moment the drill came into full operation, and he merely gripped the arms of the chair.
pick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
please
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A little wider, please!"
realised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie realised that he was being called a liar as unmistakably as a man can be; but at this moment the drill came into full operation, and he merely gripped the arms of the chair.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
recumbent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
regretful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
resolutely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It seems hard to believe," said the dentist morosely, setting the machinery of the drill in motion with his foot, "that your teeth have not been attended to for eight years.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
seems
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It seems hard to believe," said the dentist morosely, setting the machinery of the drill in motion with his foot, "that your teeth have not been attended to for eight years.
setting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It seems hard to believe," said the dentist morosely, setting the machinery of the drill in motion with his foot, "that your teeth have not been attended to for eight years.
shortest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
sigh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
teeth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It seems hard to believe," said the dentist morosely, setting the machinery of the drill in motion with his foot, "that your teeth have not been attended to for eight years.
telling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
tonguenounUS /tongue/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
TRAIN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
unmistakably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie realised that he was being called a liar as unmistakably as a man can be; but at this moment the drill came into full operation, and he merely gripped the arms of the chair.
voluptuousness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
WHICHpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
wider
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A little wider, please!"
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading IN WHICH CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, AND HUGHIE MISSES HIS TRAIN The dentist laid aside his excavating pick with a regretful sigh, and began to fit what looked like a miniature circular saw into the end of the electric drill.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Hughie, recumbent in the chair, telling himself resolutely that, appearances to the contrary, the man was doing this because it was really necessary, and not from mere voluptuousness, cautiously inserted his tongue into the hole, and calculated that the final clearance would be a three minutes' job at the shortest.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It seems hard to believe," said the dentist morosely, setting the machinery of the drill in motion with his foot, "that your teeth have not been attended to for eight years.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "It seems hard to believe," said the dentist morosely, setting the machinery of the drill in motion with his foot, "that your teeth have not been attended to for eight years.
