adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This was a poor sort of a beginning to a day that, so far as outside conditions went, had promised so well.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The moment I entered the schoolroom something in the air seemed to tell me that here, too, matters were strained and awry.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I rigged up a sort of jurymast of a bootlace with a bit of old string, and wandered off to look up the girls, conscious of a jar and a discordance in the scheme of things.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This was a poor sort of a beginning to a day that, so far as outside conditions went, had promised so well.
awryadjectiveUS /ərˈaɪ/
turned or twisted toward one side
From this reading The moment I entered the schoolroom something in the air seemed to tell me that here, too, matters were strained and awry.
beginningnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading This was a poor sort of a beginning to a day that, so far as outside conditions went, had promised so well.
bitnounUS /bɪt/
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading I rigged up a sort of jurymast of a bootlace with a bit of old string, and wandered off to look up the girls, conscious of a jar and a discordance in the scheme of things.
bootlacenoun
a long lace for fastening boots
From this reading I rigged up a sort of jurymast of a bootlace with a bit of old string, and wandered off to look up the girls, conscious of a jar and a discordance in the scheme of things.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When I spoke to her she jerked a shoulder testily, but did not condescend to the civility of a reply.
civilitynounUS /səˈvɪləti/
formal or perfunctory politeness
From this reading When I spoke to her she jerked a shoulder testily, but did not condescend to the civility of a reply.
condescendverbUS /ˌkɑːndɪˈsend/
behave in a patronizing and condescending manner
From this reading When I spoke to her she jerked a shoulder testily, but did not condescend to the civility of a reply.
conditionsnounUS /kənˈdɪʃənz/
the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process
From this reading This was a poor sort of a beginning to a day that, so far as outside conditions went, had promised so well.
consciousadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnʃəs/
intentionally conceived
From this reading I rigged up a sort of jurymast of a bootlace with a bit of old string, and wandered off to look up the girls, conscious of a jar and a discordance in the scheme of things.
curledadjectiveUS /kɜːrld/
(of hair) making curls or having been made to curl
From this reading Selina was staring listlessly out of the window, one foot curled round her leg.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading This was a poor sort of a beginning to a day that, so far as outside conditions went, had promised so well.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading When I spoke to her she jerked a shoulder testily, but did not condescend to the civility of a reply.
discordancenoun
a harsh mixture of sounds
From this reading I rigged up a sort of jurymast of a bootlace with a bit of old string, and wandered off to look up the girls, conscious of a jar and a discordance in the scheme of things.
enteredverbUS /ˈentərd/
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading The moment I entered the schoolroom something in the air seemed to tell me that here, too, matters were strained and awry.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading This was a poor sort of a beginning to a day that, so far as outside conditions went, had promised so well.
footnounUS /fʊt/
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Selina was staring listlessly out of the window, one foot curled round her leg.
girlsnounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading I rigged up a sort of jurymast of a bootlace with a bit of old string, and wandered off to look up the girls, conscious of a jar and a discordance in the scheme of things.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This was a poor sort of a beginning to a day that, so far as outside conditions went, had promised so well.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Selina was staring listlessly out of the window, one foot curled round her leg.
hereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading The moment I entered the schoolroom something in the air seemed to tell me that here, too, matters were strained and awry.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I rigged up a sort of jurymast of a bootlace with a bit of old string, and wandered off to look up the girls, conscious of a jar and a discordance in the scheme of things.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I rigged up a sort of jurymast of a bootlace with a bit of old string, and wandered off to look up the girls, conscious of a jar and a discordance in the scheme of things.
jarverbUS /dʒɑːr/
be incompatible; be or come into conflict
From this reading I rigged up a sort of jurymast of a bootlace with a bit of old string, and wandered off to look up the girls, conscious of a jar and a discordance in the scheme of things.
jerkedverbUS /dʒɜːrkt/
past form of “jerk” — pull, or move with a sudden movement
From this reading When I spoke to her she jerked a shoulder testily, but did not condescend to the civility of a reply.
jurymast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I rigged up a sort of jurymast of a bootlace with a bit of old string, and wandered off to look up the girls, conscious of a jar and a discordance in the scheme of things.
legnounUS /leɡ/
a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle
From this reading Selina was staring listlessly out of the window, one foot curled round her leg.
listlesslyadverbUS /ˈlɪstləsli/
in a listless manner
From this reading Selina was staring listlessly out of the window, one foot curled round her leg.
lookverbUS /lʊk/
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading I rigged up a sort of jurymast of a bootlace with a bit of old string, and wandered off to look up the girls, conscious of a jar and a discordance in the scheme of things.
mattersnounUS /ˈmætərz/
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The moment I entered the schoolroom something in the air seemed to tell me that here, too, matters were strained and awry.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The moment I entered the schoolroom something in the air seemed to tell me that here, too, matters were strained and awry.
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading The moment I entered the schoolroom something in the air seemed to tell me that here, too, matters were strained and awry.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading When I spoke to her she jerked a shoulder testily, but did not condescend to the civility of a reply.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This was a poor sort of a beginning to a day that, so far as outside conditions went, had promised so well.
offadverbUS /ɔːf/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading I rigged up a sort of jurymast of a bootlace with a bit of old string, and wandered off to look up the girls, conscious of a jar and a discordance in the scheme of things.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading I rigged up a sort of jurymast of a bootlace with a bit of old string, and wandered off to look up the girls, conscious of a jar and a discordance in the scheme of things.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Selina was staring listlessly out of the window, one foot curled round her leg.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Selina was staring listlessly out of the window, one foot curled round her leg.
outsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading This was a poor sort of a beginning to a day that, so far as outside conditions went, had promised so well.
pooradjectiveUS /puːr/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading This was a poor sort of a beginning to a day that, so far as outside conditions went, had promised so well.
promisedverbUS /ˈprɑːməst/
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading This was a poor sort of a beginning to a day that, so far as outside conditions went, had promised so well.
replynounUS /rɪˈplaɪ/
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading When I spoke to her she jerked a shoulder testily, but did not condescend to the civility of a reply.
riggedadjectiveUS /rɪɡd/
fitted or equipped with necessary rigging (sails and shrouds and stays etc)
From this reading I rigged up a sort of jurymast of a bootlace with a bit of old string, and wandered off to look up the girls, conscious of a jar and a discordance in the scheme of things.
roundnounUS /raʊnd/
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Selina was staring listlessly out of the window, one foot curled round her leg.
schemenounUS /skiːm/
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading I rigged up a sort of jurymast of a bootlace with a bit of old string, and wandered off to look up the girls, conscious of a jar and a discordance in the scheme of things.
schoolroomnounUS /ˈskuːlruːm/
a room in a school where lessons take place
From this reading The moment I entered the schoolroom something in the air seemed to tell me that here, too, matters were strained and awry.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The moment I entered the schoolroom something in the air seemed to tell me that here, too, matters were strained and awry.
Selina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Selina was staring listlessly out of the window, one foot curled round her leg.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When I spoke to her she jerked a shoulder testily, but did not condescend to the civility of a reply.
shoulderverbUS /ˈʃoʊldər/
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading When I spoke to her she jerked a shoulder testily, but did not condescend to the civility of a reply.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading This was a poor sort of a beginning to a day that, so far as outside conditions went, had promised so well.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The moment I entered the schoolroom something in the air seemed to tell me that here, too, matters were strained and awry.
sortnounUS /sɔːrt/
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading This was a poor sort of a beginning to a day that, so far as outside conditions went, had promised so well.
spokenounUS /spoʊk/
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading When I spoke to her she jerked a shoulder testily, but did not condescend to the civility of a reply.
staringadjectiveUS /ˈsterɪŋ/
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading Selina was staring listlessly out of the window, one foot curled round her leg.
strainedadjectiveUS /streɪnd/
lacking natural ease
From this reading The moment I entered the schoolroom something in the air seemed to tell me that here, too, matters were strained and awry.
stringnounUS /strɪŋ/
a lightweight cord
From this reading I rigged up a sort of jurymast of a bootlace with a bit of old string, and wandered off to look up the girls, conscious of a jar and a discordance in the scheme of things.
tellverbUS /tel/
express in words
From this reading The moment I entered the schoolroom something in the air seemed to tell me that here, too, matters were strained and awry.
testilyadverbUS /ˈtestəli/
in a petulant manner
From this reading When I spoke to her she jerked a shoulder testily, but did not condescend to the civility of a reply.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This was a poor sort of a beginning to a day that, so far as outside conditions went, had promised so well.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I rigged up a sort of jurymast of a bootlace with a bit of old string, and wandered off to look up the girls, conscious of a jar and a discordance in the scheme of things.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading I rigged up a sort of jurymast of a bootlace with a bit of old string, and wandered off to look up the girls, conscious of a jar and a discordance in the scheme of things.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was a poor sort of a beginning to a day that, so far as outside conditions went, had promised so well.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This was a poor sort of a beginning to a day that, so far as outside conditions went, had promised so well.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The moment I entered the schoolroom something in the air seemed to tell me that here, too, matters were strained and awry.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading I rigged up a sort of jurymast of a bootlace with a bit of old string, and wandered off to look up the girls, conscious of a jar and a discordance in the scheme of things.
wanderedverbUS /ˈwɑːndərd/
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading I rigged up a sort of jurymast of a bootlace with a bit of old string, and wandered off to look up the girls, conscious of a jar and a discordance in the scheme of things.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was a poor sort of a beginning to a day that, so far as outside conditions went, had promised so well.
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 This was a poor sort of a beginning to a day that, so far as outside conditions went, had promised so well.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading This was a poor sort of a beginning to a day that, so far as outside conditions went, had promised so well.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The moment I entered the schoolroom something in the air seemed to tell me that here, too, matters were strained and awry.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When I spoke to her she jerked a shoulder testily, but did not condescend to the civility of a reply.
windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Selina was staring listlessly out of the window, one foot curled round her leg.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I rigged up a sort of jurymast of a bootlace with a bit of old string, and wandered off to look up the girls, conscious of a jar and a discordance in the scheme of things.
