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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 He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
Andy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.
back
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From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What right have you got to interfere with my business?"
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.
cheek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
counter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
cutlery
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From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
demanded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.
emerged
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From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
evident
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From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
failed
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From this reading The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.
fit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
Fox
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
Fryback
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What right have you got to interfere with my business?"
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
haste
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
hotly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
interfere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What right have you got to interfere with my business?"
issue
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From this reading The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
key
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.
likely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
lips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
lock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.
Marshal's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
mistaken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "What right have you got to interfere with my business?"
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
parted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.
prodigious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.
recently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
remain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
repaired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
retort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "What right have you got to interfere with my business?"
sharp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.
shouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
strangelynounUS /ˈstrangely/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
subsided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
swelling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
utter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
whitheradverbUS /ˈwɪðər/
an old word meaning “to where”
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
Why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.
wiping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "What right have you got to interfere with my business?"