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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 It was too dear a triumph to a schoolboy's heart to create shudders of disgust every time he opened his mouth!
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After the first start of surprise, understanding dawned quickly enough.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pile of presents on the trays waxed rapidly less and less, the last parcel of all being of exceptional daintiness,--tissue-paper, tied round with a narrow blue ribbon.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Jill's present had been short-lived, but it had served its purpose, both in her eyes and Jack's, in causing the sensation of the evening, and the mother's pitiful, "Take them off, Jack dear, do!
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Jill's present had been short-lived, but it had served its purpose, both in her eyes and Jack's, in causing the sensation of the evening, and the mother's pitiful, "Take them off, Jack dear, do!
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The pile of presents on the trays waxed rapidly less and less, the last parcel of all being of exceptional daintiness,--tissue-paper, tied round with a narrow blue ribbon.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You look _so_ dreadful!" could not persuade Jack to peel off the disfiguring black squares.
blue
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From this reading The pile of presents on the trays waxed rapidly less and less, the last parcel of all being of exceptional daintiness,--tissue-paper, tied round with a narrow blue ribbon.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading Jill's present had been short-lived, but it had served its purpose, both in her eyes and Jack's, in causing the sensation of the evening, and the mother's pitiful, "Take them off, Jack dear, do!
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Jill's present had been short-lived, but it had served its purpose, both in her eyes and Jack's, in causing the sensation of the evening, and the mother's pitiful, "Take them off, Jack dear, do!
causing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jill's present had been short-lived, but it had served its purpose, both in her eyes and Jack's, in causing the sensation of the evening, and the mother's pitiful, "Take them off, Jack dear, do!
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading You look _so_ dreadful!" could not persuade Jack to peel off the disfiguring black squares.
create
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From this reading It was too dear a triumph to a schoolboy's heart to create shudders of disgust every time he opened his mouth!
daintiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pile of presents on the trays waxed rapidly less and less, the last parcel of all being of exceptional daintiness,--tissue-paper, tied round with a narrow blue ribbon.
dawned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the first start of surprise, understanding dawned quickly enough.
dear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jill's present had been short-lived, but it had served its purpose, both in her eyes and Jack's, in causing the sensation of the evening, and the mother's pitiful, "Take them off, Jack dear, do!
disfiguring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You look _so_ dreadful!" could not persuade Jack to peel off the disfiguring black squares.
disgustnounUS /dɪsˈɡʌst/
a strong feeling of dislike or sickness caused by something unpleasant
From this reading It was too dear a triumph to a schoolboy's heart to create shudders of disgust every time he opened his mouth!
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Jill's present had been short-lived, but it had served its purpose, both in her eyes and Jack's, in causing the sensation of the evening, and the mother's pitiful, "Take them off, Jack dear, do!
dreadfuladjectiveUS /ˈdrɛdfəl/
extremely frightening or unpleasant
From this reading You look _so_ dreadful!" could not persuade Jack to peel off the disfiguring black squares.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the first start of surprise, understanding dawned quickly enough.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jill's present had been short-lived, but it had served its purpose, both in her eyes and Jack's, in causing the sensation of the evening, and the mother's pitiful, "Take them off, Jack dear, do!
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading It was too dear a triumph to a schoolboy's heart to create shudders of disgust every time he opened his mouth!
exceptional
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pile of presents on the trays waxed rapidly less and less, the last parcel of all being of exceptional daintiness,--tissue-paper, tied round with a narrow blue ribbon.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jill's present had been short-lived, but it had served its purpose, both in her eyes and Jack's, in causing the sensation of the evening, and the mother's pitiful, "Take them off, Jack dear, do!
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After the first start of surprise, understanding dawned quickly enough.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Jill's present had been short-lived, but it had served its purpose, both in her eyes and Jack's, in causing the sensation of the evening, and the mother's pitiful, "Take them off, Jack dear, do!
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was too dear a triumph to a schoolboy's heart to create shudders of disgust every time he opened his mouth!
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was too dear a triumph to a schoolboy's heart to create shudders of disgust every time he opened his mouth!
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Jill's present had been short-lived, but it had served its purpose, both in her eyes and Jack's, in causing the sensation of the evening, and the mother's pitiful, "Take them off, Jack dear, do!
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was too dear a triumph to a schoolboy's heart to create shudders of disgust every time he opened his mouth!
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Jill's present had been short-lived, but it had served its purpose, both in her eyes and Jack's, in causing the sensation of the evening, and the mother's pitiful, "Take them off, Jack dear, do!
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Jill's present had been short-lived, but it had served its purpose, both in her eyes and Jack's, in causing the sensation of the evening, and the mother's pitiful, "Take them off, Jack dear, do!
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Jill's present had been short-lived, but it had served its purpose, both in her eyes and Jack's, in causing the sensation of the evening, and the mother's pitiful, "Take them off, Jack dear, do!
Jack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jill's present had been short-lived, but it had served its purpose, both in her eyes and Jack's, in causing the sensation of the evening, and the mother's pitiful, "Take them off, Jack dear, do!
Jack's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jill's present had been short-lived, but it had served its purpose, both in her eyes and Jack's, in causing the sensation of the evening, and the mother's pitiful, "Take them off, Jack dear, do!
Jill's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jill's present had been short-lived, but it had served its purpose, both in her eyes and Jack's, in causing the sensation of the evening, and the mother's pitiful, "Take them off, Jack dear, do!
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The pile of presents on the trays waxed rapidly less and less, the last parcel of all being of exceptional daintiness,--tissue-paper, tied round with a narrow blue ribbon.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pile of presents on the trays waxed rapidly less and less, the last parcel of all being of exceptional daintiness,--tissue-paper, tied round with a narrow blue ribbon.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading You look _so_ dreadful!" could not persuade Jack to peel off the disfiguring black squares.
mother's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jill's present had been short-lived, but it had served its purpose, both in her eyes and Jack's, in causing the sensation of the evening, and the mother's pitiful, "Take them off, Jack dear, do!
mouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was too dear a triumph to a schoolboy's heart to create shudders of disgust every time he opened his mouth!
narrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pile of presents on the trays waxed rapidly less and less, the last parcel of all being of exceptional daintiness,--tissue-paper, tied round with a narrow blue ribbon.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading You look _so_ dreadful!" could not persuade Jack to peel off the disfiguring black squares.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading After the first start of surprise, understanding dawned quickly enough.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jill's present had been short-lived, but it had served its purpose, both in her eyes and Jack's, in causing the sensation of the evening, and the mother's pitiful, "Take them off, Jack dear, do!
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The pile of presents on the trays waxed rapidly less and less, the last parcel of all being of exceptional daintiness,--tissue-paper, tied round with a narrow blue ribbon.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was too dear a triumph to a schoolboy's heart to create shudders of disgust every time he opened his mouth!
parcel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pile of presents on the trays waxed rapidly less and less, the last parcel of all being of exceptional daintiness,--tissue-paper, tied round with a narrow blue ribbon.
peel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You look _so_ dreadful!" could not persuade Jack to peel off the disfiguring black squares.
persuade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You look _so_ dreadful!" could not persuade Jack to peel off the disfiguring black squares.
pile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pile of presents on the trays waxed rapidly less and less, the last parcel of all being of exceptional daintiness,--tissue-paper, tied round with a narrow blue ribbon.
pitiful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jill's present had been short-lived, but it had served its purpose, both in her eyes and Jack's, in causing the sensation of the evening, and the mother's pitiful, "Take them off, Jack dear, do!
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jill's present had been short-lived, but it had served its purpose, both in her eyes and Jack's, in causing the sensation of the evening, and the mother's pitiful, "Take them off, Jack dear, do!
presents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pile of presents on the trays waxed rapidly less and less, the last parcel of all being of exceptional daintiness,--tissue-paper, tied round with a narrow blue ribbon.
purpose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jill's present had been short-lived, but it had served its purpose, both in her eyes and Jack's, in causing the sensation of the evening, and the mother's pitiful, "Take them off, Jack dear, do!
quickly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the first start of surprise, understanding dawned quickly enough.
rapidly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pile of presents on the trays waxed rapidly less and less, the last parcel of all being of exceptional daintiness,--tissue-paper, tied round with a narrow blue ribbon.
ribbon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pile of presents on the trays waxed rapidly less and less, the last parcel of all being of exceptional daintiness,--tissue-paper, tied round with a narrow blue ribbon.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pile of presents on the trays waxed rapidly less and less, the last parcel of all being of exceptional daintiness,--tissue-paper, tied round with a narrow blue ribbon.
schoolboy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was too dear a triumph to a schoolboy's heart to create shudders of disgust every time he opened his mouth!
sensation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jill's present had been short-lived, but it had served its purpose, both in her eyes and Jack's, in causing the sensation of the evening, and the mother's pitiful, "Take them off, Jack dear, do!
served
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jill's present had been short-lived, but it had served its purpose, both in her eyes and Jack's, in causing the sensation of the evening, and the mother's pitiful, "Take them off, Jack dear, do!
short-lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jill's present had been short-lived, but it had served its purpose, both in her eyes and Jack's, in causing the sensation of the evening, and the mother's pitiful, "Take them off, Jack dear, do!
shudders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was too dear a triumph to a schoolboy's heart to create shudders of disgust every time he opened his mouth!
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading You look _so_ dreadful!" could not persuade Jack to peel off the disfiguring black squares.
squares
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You look _so_ dreadful!" could not persuade Jack to peel off the disfiguring black squares.
startnounUS /start/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After the first start of surprise, understanding dawned quickly enough.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the first start of surprise, understanding dawned quickly enough.
TakenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Jill's present had been short-lived, but it had served its purpose, both in her eyes and Jack's, in causing the sensation of the evening, and the mother's pitiful, "Take them off, Jack dear, do!
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After the first start of surprise, understanding dawned quickly enough.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Jill's present had been short-lived, but it had served its purpose, both in her eyes and Jack's, in causing the sensation of the evening, and the mother's pitiful, "Take them off, Jack dear, do!
tied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pile of presents on the trays waxed rapidly less and less, the last parcel of all being of exceptional daintiness,--tissue-paper, tied round with a narrow blue ribbon.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was too dear a triumph to a schoolboy's heart to create shudders of disgust every time he opened his mouth!
tissue-paper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pile of presents on the trays waxed rapidly less and less, the last parcel of all being of exceptional daintiness,--tissue-paper, tied round with a narrow blue ribbon.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading You look _so_ dreadful!" could not persuade Jack to peel off the disfiguring black squares.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was too dear a triumph to a schoolboy's heart to create shudders of disgust every time he opened his mouth!
trays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pile of presents on the trays waxed rapidly less and less, the last parcel of all being of exceptional daintiness,--tissue-paper, tied round with a narrow blue ribbon.
triumph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was too dear a triumph to a schoolboy's heart to create shudders of disgust every time he opened his mouth!
understanding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the first start of surprise, understanding dawned quickly enough.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was too dear a triumph to a schoolboy's heart to create shudders of disgust every time he opened his mouth!
waxed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pile of presents on the trays waxed rapidly less and less, the last parcel of all being of exceptional daintiness,--tissue-paper, tied round with a narrow blue ribbon.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The pile of presents on the trays waxed rapidly less and less, the last parcel of all being of exceptional daintiness,--tissue-paper, tied round with a narrow blue ribbon.
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You look _so_ dreadful!" could not persuade Jack to peel off the disfiguring black squares.
