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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 OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
basket
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From this reading Setting down her basket of soiled linen she put her hands on her hips and stood motionless, intently listening.
building
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From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In ordinary the loft was never entered, nowadays, except by some slippered maid, or Michael with a trunk.
CONFESSION
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From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
detached
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From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
disused
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From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
Dorothy
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From this reading Dorothy?
down
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From this reading Setting down her basket of soiled linen she put her hands on her hips and stood motionless, intently listening.
drying-room
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From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In ordinary the loft was never entered, nowadays, except by some slippered maid, or Michael with a trunk.
exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading In ordinary the loft was never entered, nowadays, except by some slippered maid, or Michael with a trunk.
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
GOODnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading Setting down her basket of soiled linen she put her hands on her hips and stood motionless, intently listening.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Setting down her basket of soiled linen she put her hands on her hips and stood motionless, intently listening.
hips
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From this reading Setting down her basket of soiled linen she put her hands on her hips and stood motionless, intently listening.
housemaid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
intently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Setting down her basket of soiled linen she put her hands on her hips and stood motionless, intently listening.
ISauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
laundry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
linen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Setting down her basket of soiled linen she put her hands on her hips and stood motionless, intently listening.
listen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
listening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Setting down her basket of soiled linen she put her hands on her hips and stood motionless, intently listening.
loft
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From this reading In ordinary the loft was never entered, nowadays, except by some slippered maid, or Michael with a trunk.
maid
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From this reading In ordinary the loft was never entered, nowadays, except by some slippered maid, or Michael with a trunk.
Michael
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From this reading In ordinary the loft was never entered, nowadays, except by some slippered maid, or Michael with a trunk.
motionless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Setting down her basket of soiled linen she put her hands on her hips and stood motionless, intently listening.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In ordinary the loft was never entered, nowadays, except by some slippered maid, or Michael with a trunk.
newer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
noise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
nowadays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In ordinary the loft was never entered, nowadays, except by some slippered maid, or Michael with a trunk.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Setting down her basket of soiled linen she put her hands on her hips and stood motionless, intently listening.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
OPENverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In ordinary the loft was never entered, nowadays, except by some slippered maid, or Michael with a trunk.
ordinary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In ordinary the loft was never entered, nowadays, except by some slippered maid, or Michael with a trunk.
overhead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
passing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
paused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Setting down her basket of soiled linen she put her hands on her hips and stood motionless, intently listening.
Setting
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From this reading Setting down her basket of soiled linen she put her hands on her hips and stood motionless, intently listening.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Setting down her basket of soiled linen she put her hands on her hips and stood motionless, intently listening.
short-cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
slippered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In ordinary the loft was never entered, nowadays, except by some slippered maid, or Michael with a trunk.
soiled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Setting down her basket of soiled linen she put her hands on her hips and stood motionless, intently listening.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In ordinary the loft was never entered, nowadays, except by some slippered maid, or Michael with a trunk.
SOUL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Setting down her basket of soiled linen she put her hands on her hips and stood motionless, intently listening.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was unusual.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL A housemaid, passing through the disused "old laundry" on the ground floor, as a short-cut toward the newer one in a detached building, heard a strange noise in the drying-room overhead, and paused to listen.
trunk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In ordinary the loft was never entered, nowadays, except by some slippered maid, or Michael with a trunk.
unusual
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From this reading This was unusual.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was unusual.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading In ordinary the loft was never entered, nowadays, except by some slippered maid, or Michael with a trunk.
