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affairs
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From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
almost
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From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
arrive
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From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
assuredly
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From this reading He would assuredly travel as fast as he could, and if he had understood my directions he was not likely to go astray.
astray
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From this reading He would assuredly travel as fast as he could, and if he had understood my directions he was not likely to go astray.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But in spite of my hopes the summons came too soon, and I was obliged to go myself.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
call
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From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.
came
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From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
contessina
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From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He would assuredly travel as fast as he could, and if he had understood my directions he was not likely to go astray.
delay
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From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.
directions
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From this reading He would assuredly travel as fast as he could, and if he had understood my directions he was not likely to go astray.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
events
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
fast
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From this reading He would assuredly travel as fast as he could, and if he had understood my directions he was not likely to go astray.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
force
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From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.
go
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From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.
got
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From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
habit
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From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
happens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
haste
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.
hopes
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From this reading But in spite of my hopes the summons came too soon, and I was obliged to go myself.
hoping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He would assuredly travel as fast as he could, and if he had understood my directions he was not likely to go astray.
importance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.
lead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
likely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would assuredly travel as fast as he could, and if he had understood my directions he was not likely to go astray.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.
made
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From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.
many
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From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.
meeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.
minor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading But in spite of my hopes the summons came too soon, and I was obliged to go myself.
Nino
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From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.
Nino's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.
obliged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in spite of my hopes the summons came too soon, and I was obliged to go myself.
occur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
pass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.
possibility
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.
rapidly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
result
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.
seem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
shadowy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.
sitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in spite of my hopes the summons came too soon, and I was obliged to go myself.
spite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in spite of my hopes the summons came too soon, and I was obliged to go myself.
stumble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
summonsnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/
an official order to appear or respond
From this reading But in spite of my hopes the summons came too soon, and I was obliged to go myself.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in spite of my hopes the summons came too soon, and I was obliged to go myself.
travel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would assuredly travel as fast as he could, and if he had understood my directions he was not likely to go astray.
ultimate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
understood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would assuredly travel as fast as he could, and if he had understood my directions he was not likely to go astray.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.
