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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 The ancient port of Sunwich was basking in the sunshine of a July afternoon.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The ancient port of Sunwich was basking in the sunshine of a July afternoon.
ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading The ancient port of Sunwich was basking in the sunshine of a July afternoon.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A rattle of cranes and winches sounded from the shipping in the harbour, but the town itself was half asleep.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
ardent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
asleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A rattle of cranes and winches sounded from the shipping in the harbour, but the town itself was half asleep.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
basking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ancient port of Sunwich was basking in the sunshine of a July afternoon.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
black-faced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
boys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A rattle of cranes and winches sounded from the shipping in the harbour, but the town itself was half asleep.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
charge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
chimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
church
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
coyly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
cranes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A rattle of cranes and winches sounded from the shipping in the harbour, but the town itself was half asleep.
dim
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From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
displaying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
disquieting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
faces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is a fine church, and Sunwich is proud of it.
flies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A rattle of cranes and winches sounded from the shipping in the harbour, but the town itself was half asleep.
generations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
gilt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
grey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A rattle of cranes and winches sounded from the shipping in the harbour, but the town itself was half asleep.
handkerchiefs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
harbour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A rattle of cranes and winches sounded from the shipping in the harbour, but the town itself was half asleep.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
huddled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The ancient port of Sunwich was basking in the sunshine of a July afternoon.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is a fine church, and Sunwich is proud of it.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is a fine church, and Sunwich is proud of it.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading A rattle of cranes and winches sounded from the shipping in the harbour, but the town itself was half asleep.
July
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ancient port of Sunwich was basking in the sunshine of a July afternoon.
landmark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
listlessly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
mellow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
narrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
noticed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
numerals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The ancient port of Sunwich was basking in the sunshine of a July afternoon.
parlours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
passing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
port
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ancient port of Sunwich was basking in the sunshine of a July afternoon.
proud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is a fine church, and Sunwich is proud of it.
purpose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
rattle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A rattle of cranes and winches sounded from the shipping in the harbour, but the town itself was half asleep.
recorded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
rising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
roofs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
shipping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A rattle of cranes and winches sounded from the shipping in the harbour, but the town itself was half asleep.
shopkeepers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
slow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
Somnolent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
sounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A rattle of cranes and winches sounded from the shipping in the harbour, but the town itself was half asleep.
streets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
sunshine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ancient port of Sunwich was basking in the sunshine of a July afternoon.
Sunwich
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ancient port of Sunwich was basking in the sunshine of a July afternoon.
tall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The ancient port of Sunwich was basking in the sunshine of a July afternoon.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
tower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A rattle of cranes and winches sounded from the shipping in the harbour, but the town itself was half asleep.
veiled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The ancient port of Sunwich was basking in the sunshine of a July afternoon.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge noticed listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
winches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A rattle of cranes and winches sounded from the shipping in the harbour, but the town itself was half asleep.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men.
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