AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A few days after the girls had returned to San Francisco, they received a letter from their father.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A few days after the girls had returned to San Francisco, they received a letter from their father.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading “Do you know what all this means, dear?” asked Jessie, who had been watching her sister with an unusually grave face.
allowverbUS /əˈlaʊ/
make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
askedverbUS /æskt/
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Do you know what all this means, dear?” asked Jessie, who had been watching her sister with an unusually grave face.
attentiveadjectiveUS /əˈtentɪv/
(often followed by “to”) giving care or attention
From this reading He had heard they had a pleasant visit to Mr. Prince's place, and that a certain young banker had been very attentive to Christie.
bankernounUS /ˈbæŋkər/
a financier who owns or is an executive in a bank
From this reading He had heard they had a pleasant visit to Mr. Prince's place, and that a certain young banker had been very attentive to Christie.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had heard they had a pleasant visit to Mr. Prince's place, and that a certain young banker had been very attentive to Christie.
begverbUS /beɡ/
call upon in supplication; entreat
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
businessnounUS /ˈbɪznəs/
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading His business, he wrote, would detain him in Sacramento some days longer.
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading He had heard they had a pleasant visit to Mr. Prince's place, and that a certain young banker had been very attentive to Christie.
ChristienounUS /ˈkrɪsti/
prolific English writer of detective stories (1890-1976)
From this reading He had heard they had a pleasant visit to Mr. Prince's place, and that a certain young banker had been very attentive to Christie.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading A few days after the girls had returned to San Francisco, they received a letter from their father.
dearadjectiveUS /dɪr/
dearly loved
From this reading “Do you know what all this means, dear?” asked Jessie, who had been watching her sister with an unusually grave face.
detainverbUS /dɪˈteɪn/
deprive of freedom; take into confinement
From this reading His business, he wrote, would detain him in Sacramento some days longer.
Devil'snounUS /ˈdevəlz/
possessive form of “devil” — (Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
disobligeverb
to cause inconvenience or discomfort to
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
Doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “Do you know what all this means, dear?” asked Jessie, who had been watching her sister with an unusually grave face.
enjoyingverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
extendedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstendəd/
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading “Do you know what all this means, dear?” asked Jessie, who had been watching her sister with an unusually grave face.
fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading A few days after the girls had returned to San Francisco, they received a letter from their father.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few days after the girls had returned to San Francisco, they received a letter from their father.
FordnounUS /fɔːrd/
United States film maker (1896-1973)
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
Francisco
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few days after the girls had returned to San Francisco, they received a letter from their father.
friendnounUS /frend/
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A few days after the girls had returned to San Francisco, they received a letter from their father.
girlsnounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading A few days after the girls had returned to San Francisco, they received a letter from their father.
gravenounUS /ɡreɪv/
death of a person
From this reading “Do you know what all this means, dear?” asked Jessie, who had been watching her sister with an unusually grave face.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A few days after the girls had returned to San Francisco, they received a letter from their father.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His business, he wrote, would detain him in Sacramento some days longer.
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading He had heard they had a pleasant visit to Mr. Prince's place, and that a certain young banker had been very attentive to Christie.
heatnounUS /hiːt/
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “Do you know what all this means, dear?” asked Jessie, who had been watching her sister with an unusually grave face.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His business, he wrote, would detain him in Sacramento some days longer.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His business, he wrote, would detain him in Sacramento some days longer.
hostnounUS /hoʊst/
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His business, he wrote, would detain him in Sacramento some days longer.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
Jessie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Do you know what all this means, dear?” asked Jessie, who had been watching her sister with an unusually grave face.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “Do you know what all this means, dear?” asked Jessie, who had been watching her sister with an unusually grave face.
letternounUS /ˈletər/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading A few days after the girls had returned to San Francisco, they received a letter from their father.
longeradverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɡər/
for more time
From this reading His business, he wrote, would detain him in Sacramento some days longer.
meansnounUS /miːnz/
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading “Do you know what all this means, dear?” asked Jessie, who had been watching her sister with an unusually grave face.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading He had heard they had a pleasant visit to Mr. Prince's place, and that a certain young banker had been very attentive to Christie.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading He had heard they had a pleasant visit to Mr. Prince's place, and that a certain young banker had been very attentive to Christie.
pleasantadjectiveUS /ˈplezənt/
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading He had heard they had a pleasant visit to Mr. Prince's place, and that a certain young banker had been very attentive to Christie.
Prince'snounUS /ˈprɪnsɪz/
possessive form of “prince” — a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading He had heard they had a pleasant visit to Mr. Prince's place, and that a certain young banker had been very attentive to Christie.
reasonnounUS /ˈriːzən/
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
receivedadjectiveUS /rəˈsiːvd/
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading A few days after the girls had returned to San Francisco, they received a letter from their father.
returnverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrn/
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
returnedverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrnd/
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading A few days after the girls had returned to San Francisco, they received a letter from their father.
SacramentonounUS /ˌsækrəˈmentoʊ/
a city in north central California 75 miles to the northeast of San Francisco on the Sacramento River; capital of California
From this reading His business, he wrote, would detain him in Sacramento some days longer.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few days after the girls had returned to San Francisco, they received a letter from their father.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
sisternounUS /ˈsɪstər/
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading “Do you know what all this means, dear?” asked Jessie, who had been watching her sister with an unusually grave face.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading His business, he wrote, would detain him in Sacramento some days longer.
summernounUS /ˈsʌmər/
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had heard they had a pleasant visit to Mr. Prince's place, and that a certain young banker had been very attentive to Christie.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A few days after the girls had returned to San Francisco, they received a letter from their father.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A few days after the girls had returned to San Francisco, they received a letter from their father.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A few days after the girls had returned to San Francisco, they received a letter from their father.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “Do you know what all this means, dear?” asked Jessie, who had been watching her sister with an unusually grave face.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A few days after the girls had returned to San Francisco, they received a letter from their father.
unusuallyadverbUS /əˈnjuːʒuːəli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading “Do you know what all this means, dear?” asked Jessie, who had been watching her sister with an unusually grave face.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading He had heard they had a pleasant visit to Mr. Prince's place, and that a certain young banker had been very attentive to Christie.
visitverbUS /ˈvɪzɪt/
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
watchingnounUS /ˈwɑːtʃɪŋ/
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading “Do you know what all this means, dear?” asked Jessie, who had been watching her sister with an unusually grave face.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “Do you know what all this means, dear?” asked Jessie, who had been watching her sister with an unusually grave face.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading “Do you know what all this means, dear?” asked Jessie, who had been watching her sister with an unusually grave face.
whynounUS /waɪ/
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Do you know what all this means, dear?” asked Jessie, who had been watching her sister with an unusually grave face.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading His business, he wrote, would detain him in Sacramento some days longer.
writtenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪtən/
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading There was no reason why they should return to Devil's Ford in the heat of the summer; their host had written to beg him to allow them a more extended visit, and, if they were enjoying themselves, he thought it would be well not to disoblige an old friend.
wroteverbUS /roʊt/
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading His business, he wrote, would detain him in Sacramento some days longer.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Do you know what all this means, dear?” asked Jessie, who had been watching her sister with an unusually grave face.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading He had heard they had a pleasant visit to Mr. Prince's place, and that a certain young banker had been very attentive to Christie.
