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AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
admitted
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From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.
Alison's
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From this reading She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
altogether
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From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
announced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.
company
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.
contrived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
cookery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
cool
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.
correct
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From this reading This surmise, as it happened, was quite correct.
crept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
drove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
dusk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
enjoying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
explain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
favored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
FRIEND
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This surmise, as it happened, was quite correct.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
homestead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
host
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
hostess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
Hunter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.
inclined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.
intention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.
meal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
people's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
prairie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
preferred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
purpose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This surmise, as it happened, was quite correct.
reach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
sake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
staying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
supper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
supposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.
surmise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This surmise, as it happened, was quite correct.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This surmise, as it happened, was quite correct.
Thorne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
USEFUL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
veranda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
visit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
wonder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.