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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 two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Someone had come into the room--they did not know who nor when--to poke up the fire and to throw fresh coals into the grate.
Author
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author Of “Graustark,” “Brewster's Millions,” “Truxton King,” “Rose In The Ring,” “Mary Midthorne,” Etc.
blaze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
bleak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
blue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
Brewster's
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From this reading Author Of “Graustark,” “Brewster's Millions,” “Truxton King,” “Rose In The Ring,” “Mary Midthorne,” Etc.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
Co
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From this reading Everett & Co., Ltd.
coals
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From this reading Someone had come into the room--they did not know who nor when--to poke up the fire and to throw fresh coals into the grate.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Someone had come into the room--they did not know who nor when--to poke up the fire and to throw fresh coals into the grate.
corners
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From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
crackled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
cry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
December
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Someone had come into the room--they did not know who nor when--to poke up the fire and to throw fresh coals into the grate.
doubt
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From this reading No doubt it was the parlourmaid.
down
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From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
effort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
end
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From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
envelope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
Etc
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From this reading Author Of “Graustark,” “Brewster's Millions,” “Truxton King,” “Rose In The Ring,” “Mary Midthorne,” Etc.
Everett
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From this reading Everett & Co., Ltd.
eyeing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Someone had come into the room--they did not know who nor when--to poke up the fire and to throw fresh coals into the grate.
fireplace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
fresh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Someone had come into the room--they did not know who nor when--to poke up the fire and to throw fresh coals into the grate.
grate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Someone had come into the room--they did not know who nor when--to poke up the fire and to throw fresh coals into the grate.
Graustark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author Of “Graustark,” “Brewster's Millions,” “Truxton King,” “Rose In The Ring,” “Mary Midthorne,” Etc.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Someone had come into the room--they did not know who nor when--to poke up the fire and to throw fresh coals into the grate.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Author Of “Graustark,” “Brewster's Millions,” “Truxton King,” “Rose In The Ring,” “Mary Midthorne,” Etc.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Someone had come into the room--they did not know who nor when--to poke up the fire and to throw fresh coals into the grate.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading No doubt it was the parlourmaid.
King
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author Of “Graustark,” “Brewster's Millions,” “Truxton King,” “Rose In The Ring,” “Mary Midthorne,” Etc.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Someone had come into the room--they did not know who nor when--to poke up the fire and to throw fresh coals into the grate.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
library
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
Ltd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everett & Co., Ltd.
Mary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author Of “Graustark,” “Brewster's Millions,” “Truxton King,” “Rose In The Ring,” “Mary Midthorne,” Etc.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
merry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
Midthorne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author Of “Graustark,” “Brewster's Millions,” “Truxton King,” “Rose In The Ring,” “Mary Midthorne,” Etc.
Millions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author Of “Graustark,” “Brewster's Millions,” “Truxton King,” “Rose In The Ring,” “Mary Midthorne,” Etc.
nearest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading No doubt it was the parlourmaid.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Someone had come into the room--they did not know who nor when--to poke up the fire and to throw fresh coals into the grate.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Someone had come into the room--they did not know who nor when--to poke up the fire and to throw fresh coals into the grate.
OfprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Author Of “Graustark,” “Brewster's Millions,” “Truxton King,” “Rose In The Ring,” “Mary Midthorne,” Etc.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
parlourmaid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No doubt it was the parlourmaid.
poke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Someone had come into the room--they did not know who nor when--to poke up the fire and to throw fresh coals into the grate.
Ring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author Of “Graustark,” “Brewster's Millions,” “Truxton King,” “Rose In The Ring,” “Mary Midthorne,” Etc.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Someone had come into the room--they did not know who nor when--to poke up the fire and to throw fresh coals into the grate.
Rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author Of “Graustark,” “Brewster's Millions,” “Truxton King,” “Rose In The Ring,” “Mary Midthorne,” Etc.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
shrieks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
SomeonepronounUS /ˈsʌmwʌn/
a person, without saying who
From this reading Someone had come into the room--they did not know who nor when--to poke up the fire and to throw fresh coals into the grate.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Author Of “Graustark,” “Brewster's Millions,” “Truxton King,” “Rose In The Ring,” “Mary Midthorne,” Etc.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Someone had come into the room--they did not know who nor when--to poke up the fire and to throw fresh coals into the grate.
throw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Someone had come into the room--they did not know who nor when--to poke up the fire and to throw fresh coals into the grate.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
Truxton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author Of “Graustark,” “Brewster's Millions,” “Truxton King,” “Rose In The Ring,” “Mary Midthorne,” Etc.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
unnoticed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Someone had come into the room--they did not know who nor when--to poke up the fire and to throw fresh coals into the grate.
vain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading No doubt it was the parlourmaid.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Someone had come into the room--they did not know who nor when--to poke up the fire and to throw fresh coals into the grate.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
whistled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Someone had come into the room--they did not know who nor when--to poke up the fire and to throw fresh coals into the grate.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The two old men sat in the library, eyeing the blue envelope that lay on the end of the long table nearest the fireplace, where a merry but unnoticed blaze crackled in the vain effort to cry down the shrieks of the bleak December wind that whistled about the corners of the house.
