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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 ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
ALASexclamationUS /əˈlæs/
used to show sadness, pity, or regret
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
alive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
Artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading Art is long, time fleeting.
bear
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From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
bench
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
circumstances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
close-written
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From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
clue
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From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
conning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
Crown
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From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
cup
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
diligently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
engaged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
fleeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Art is long, time fleeting.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
gypsies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
heirnounUS /er/
A person legally or magically entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death.
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
hopeful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
invention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Art is long, time fleeting.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
latest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Art is long, time fleeting.
memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
piece
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
playwright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
problem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
recollection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
remembrance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
sack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
Shakespeare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
sharpen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
sheets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
slight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
spent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The playwright spent the rest of the morning on a bench in the sun before the door of the Crown, conning diligently the close-written sheets of the latest heir of his invention.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
threads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Art is long, time fleeting.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
vain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was in vain that he brought his mind to bear upon the problem that now engaged it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He felt sure he had seen both the gypsies before, and in very different circumstances; slight threads of recollection were alive in his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece them together into any hopeful clue.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ALAS! a large cup of sack did little to sharpen the remembrance of Mr. William Shakespeare.
