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1879
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From this reading During the winter of 1879, when I was in London, it was my fortune to attend, a social meeting of literary men at the rooms of a certain eminent publisher.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading During the winter of 1879, when I was in London, it was my fortune to attend, a social meeting of literary men at the rooms of a certain eminent publisher.
all
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From this reading The rooms were full of tobacco-smoke and talk, amid which were discernible, on all sides, the figures and faces of men more or less renowned in the world of books.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading The rooms were full of tobacco-smoke and talk, amid which were discernible, on all sides, the figures and faces of men more or less renowned in the world of books.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Most noticeable among these personages was a broad-shouldered, sturdy man, of middle height, with a ruddy countenance, and snow-white tempestuous beard and hair.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The rooms were full of tobacco-smoke and talk, amid which were discernible, on all sides, the figures and faces of men more or less renowned in the world of books.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading During the winter of 1879, when I was in London, it was my fortune to attend, a social meeting of literary men at the rooms of a certain eminent publisher.
attend
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From this reading During the winter of 1879, when I was in London, it was my fortune to attend, a social meeting of literary men at the rooms of a certain eminent publisher.
beard
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From this reading Most noticeable among these personages was a broad-shouldered, sturdy man, of middle height, with a ruddy countenance, and snow-white tempestuous beard and hair.
black
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From this reading He wore large, gold-rimmed spectacles, but his eyes were black and brilliant, and looked at his interlocutor with a certain genial fury of inspection.
BOOKSnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading THE MAKER OF MANY BOOKS.
brilliant
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From this reading He wore large, gold-rimmed spectacles, but his eyes were black and brilliant, and looked at his interlocutor with a certain genial fury of inspection.
broad-shouldered
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From this reading Most noticeable among these personages was a broad-shouldered, sturdy man, of middle height, with a ruddy countenance, and snow-white tempestuous beard and hair.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He wore large, gold-rimmed spectacles, but his eyes were black and brilliant, and looked at his interlocutor with a certain genial fury of inspection.
certain
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From this reading During the winter of 1879, when I was in London, it was my fortune to attend, a social meeting of literary men at the rooms of a certain eminent publisher.
countenance
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From this reading Most noticeable among these personages was a broad-shouldered, sturdy man, of middle height, with a ruddy countenance, and snow-white tempestuous beard and hair.
discernible
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From this reading The rooms were full of tobacco-smoke and talk, amid which were discernible, on all sides, the figures and faces of men more or less renowned in the world of books.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the winter of 1879, when I was in London, it was my fortune to attend, a social meeting of literary men at the rooms of a certain eminent publisher.
eminent
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From this reading During the winter of 1879, when I was in London, it was my fortune to attend, a social meeting of literary men at the rooms of a certain eminent publisher.
eyes
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From this reading He wore large, gold-rimmed spectacles, but his eyes were black and brilliant, and looked at his interlocutor with a certain genial fury of inspection.
faces
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From this reading The rooms were full of tobacco-smoke and talk, amid which were discernible, on all sides, the figures and faces of men more or less renowned in the world of books.
figures
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From this reading The rooms were full of tobacco-smoke and talk, amid which were discernible, on all sides, the figures and faces of men more or less renowned in the world of books.
fortunenounUS /ˈfortune/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading During the winter of 1879, when I was in London, it was my fortune to attend, a social meeting of literary men at the rooms of a certain eminent publisher.
full
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From this reading The rooms were full of tobacco-smoke and talk, amid which were discernible, on all sides, the figures and faces of men more or less renowned in the world of books.
fury
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From this reading He wore large, gold-rimmed spectacles, but his eyes were black and brilliant, and looked at his interlocutor with a certain genial fury of inspection.
genial
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From this reading He wore large, gold-rimmed spectacles, but his eyes were black and brilliant, and looked at his interlocutor with a certain genial fury of inspection.
gold-rimmed
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From this reading He wore large, gold-rimmed spectacles, but his eyes were black and brilliant, and looked at his interlocutor with a certain genial fury of inspection.
hair
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From this reading Most noticeable among these personages was a broad-shouldered, sturdy man, of middle height, with a ruddy countenance, and snow-white tempestuous beard and hair.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He wore large, gold-rimmed spectacles, but his eyes were black and brilliant, and looked at his interlocutor with a certain genial fury of inspection.
height
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From this reading Most noticeable among these personages was a broad-shouldered, sturdy man, of middle height, with a ruddy countenance, and snow-white tempestuous beard and hair.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He wore large, gold-rimmed spectacles, but his eyes were black and brilliant, and looked at his interlocutor with a certain genial fury of inspection.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading During the winter of 1879, when I was in London, it was my fortune to attend, a social meeting of literary men at the rooms of a certain eminent publisher.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading During the winter of 1879, when I was in London, it was my fortune to attend, a social meeting of literary men at the rooms of a certain eminent publisher.
inspection
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From this reading He wore large, gold-rimmed spectacles, but his eyes were black and brilliant, and looked at his interlocutor with a certain genial fury of inspection.
interlocutor
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From this reading He wore large, gold-rimmed spectacles, but his eyes were black and brilliant, and looked at his interlocutor with a certain genial fury of inspection.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading During the winter of 1879, when I was in London, it was my fortune to attend, a social meeting of literary men at the rooms of a certain eminent publisher.
large
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From this reading He wore large, gold-rimmed spectacles, but his eyes were black and brilliant, and looked at his interlocutor with a certain genial fury of inspection.
less
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From this reading The rooms were full of tobacco-smoke and talk, amid which were discernible, on all sides, the figures and faces of men more or less renowned in the world of books.
literary
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From this reading During the winter of 1879, when I was in London, it was my fortune to attend, a social meeting of literary men at the rooms of a certain eminent publisher.
London
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From this reading During the winter of 1879, when I was in London, it was my fortune to attend, a social meeting of literary men at the rooms of a certain eminent publisher.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He wore large, gold-rimmed spectacles, but his eyes were black and brilliant, and looked at his interlocutor with a certain genial fury of inspection.
MAKER
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From this reading THE MAKER OF MANY BOOKS.
man
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From this reading Most noticeable among these personages was a broad-shouldered, sturdy man, of middle height, with a ruddy countenance, and snow-white tempestuous beard and hair.
MANY
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From this reading THE MAKER OF MANY BOOKS.
meeting
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From this reading During the winter of 1879, when I was in London, it was my fortune to attend, a social meeting of literary men at the rooms of a certain eminent publisher.
men
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From this reading During the winter of 1879, when I was in London, it was my fortune to attend, a social meeting of literary men at the rooms of a certain eminent publisher.
middle
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From this reading Most noticeable among these personages was a broad-shouldered, sturdy man, of middle height, with a ruddy countenance, and snow-white tempestuous beard and hair.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rooms were full of tobacco-smoke and talk, amid which were discernible, on all sides, the figures and faces of men more or less renowned in the world of books.
Most
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From this reading Most noticeable among these personages was a broad-shouldered, sturdy man, of middle height, with a ruddy countenance, and snow-white tempestuous beard and hair.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading During the winter of 1879, when I was in London, it was my fortune to attend, a social meeting of literary men at the rooms of a certain eminent publisher.
noticeable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most noticeable among these personages was a broad-shouldered, sturdy man, of middle height, with a ruddy countenance, and snow-white tempestuous beard and hair.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE MAKER OF MANY BOOKS.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The rooms were full of tobacco-smoke and talk, amid which were discernible, on all sides, the figures and faces of men more or less renowned in the world of books.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The rooms were full of tobacco-smoke and talk, amid which were discernible, on all sides, the figures and faces of men more or less renowned in the world of books.
personages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most noticeable among these personages was a broad-shouldered, sturdy man, of middle height, with a ruddy countenance, and snow-white tempestuous beard and hair.
publisher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the winter of 1879, when I was in London, it was my fortune to attend, a social meeting of literary men at the rooms of a certain eminent publisher.
renowned
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From this reading The rooms were full of tobacco-smoke and talk, amid which were discernible, on all sides, the figures and faces of men more or less renowned in the world of books.
rooms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the winter of 1879, when I was in London, it was my fortune to attend, a social meeting of literary men at the rooms of a certain eminent publisher.
ruddy
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From this reading Most noticeable among these personages was a broad-shouldered, sturdy man, of middle height, with a ruddy countenance, and snow-white tempestuous beard and hair.
sides
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rooms were full of tobacco-smoke and talk, amid which were discernible, on all sides, the figures and faces of men more or less renowned in the world of books.
snow-white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most noticeable among these personages was a broad-shouldered, sturdy man, of middle height, with a ruddy countenance, and snow-white tempestuous beard and hair.
social
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the winter of 1879, when I was in London, it was my fortune to attend, a social meeting of literary men at the rooms of a certain eminent publisher.
spectacles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wore large, gold-rimmed spectacles, but his eyes were black and brilliant, and looked at his interlocutor with a certain genial fury of inspection.
sturdy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most noticeable among these personages was a broad-shouldered, sturdy man, of middle height, with a ruddy countenance, and snow-white tempestuous beard and hair.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rooms were full of tobacco-smoke and talk, amid which were discernible, on all sides, the figures and faces of men more or less renowned in the world of books.
tempestuous
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From this reading Most noticeable among these personages was a broad-shouldered, sturdy man, of middle height, with a ruddy countenance, and snow-white tempestuous beard and hair.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MAKER OF MANY BOOKS.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Most noticeable among these personages was a broad-shouldered, sturdy man, of middle height, with a ruddy countenance, and snow-white tempestuous beard and hair.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading During the winter of 1879, when I was in London, it was my fortune to attend, a social meeting of literary men at the rooms of a certain eminent publisher.
tobacco-smoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rooms were full of tobacco-smoke and talk, amid which were discernible, on all sides, the figures and faces of men more or less renowned in the world of books.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading During the winter of 1879, when I was in London, it was my fortune to attend, a social meeting of literary men at the rooms of a certain eminent publisher.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The rooms were full of tobacco-smoke and talk, amid which were discernible, on all sides, the figures and faces of men more or less renowned in the world of books.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading During the winter of 1879, when I was in London, it was my fortune to attend, a social meeting of literary men at the rooms of a certain eminent publisher.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The rooms were full of tobacco-smoke and talk, amid which were discernible, on all sides, the figures and faces of men more or less renowned in the world of books.
winter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the winter of 1879, when I was in London, it was my fortune to attend, a social meeting of literary men at the rooms of a certain eminent publisher.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Most noticeable among these personages was a broad-shouldered, sturdy man, of middle height, with a ruddy countenance, and snow-white tempestuous beard and hair.
wore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wore large, gold-rimmed spectacles, but his eyes were black and brilliant, and looked at his interlocutor with a certain genial fury of inspection.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rooms were full of tobacco-smoke and talk, amid which were discernible, on all sides, the figures and faces of men more or less renowned in the world of books.
