adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading That afternoon, while Mr. Meekin was digesting his lunch, and chatting airily with Sylvia, Rufus Dawes began to brood over a desperate scheme.
accidentnounUS /ˈæksədənt/
an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
From this reading He had, by an almost miraculous accident, obtained that chance of open speech, and, having obtained it, he found that he was not allowed to speak.
afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading That afternoon, while Mr. Meekin was digesting his lunch, and chatting airily with Sylvia, Rufus Dawes began to brood over a desperate scheme.
airilyadverb
in a flippant manner
From this reading That afternoon, while Mr. Meekin was digesting his lunch, and chatting airily with Sylvia, Rufus Dawes began to brood over a desperate scheme.
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 All the hopes he had formed were dashed to earth.
allowedverbUS /əˈlaʊd/
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading He had, by an almost miraculous accident, obtained that chance of open speech, and, having obtained it, he found that he was not allowed to speak.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He had, by an almost miraculous accident, obtained that chance of open speech, and, having obtained it, he found that he was not allowed to speak.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had, by an almost miraculous accident, obtained that chance of open speech, and, having obtained it, he found that he was not allowed to speak.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That afternoon, while Mr. Meekin was digesting his lunch, and chatting airily with Sylvia, Rufus Dawes began to brood over a desperate scheme.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The intelligence that the investigation he had hoped for was not to be granted to him had rendered doubly bitter those galling fetters of self restraint which he had laid upon himself.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading That afternoon, while Mr. Meekin was digesting his lunch, and chatting airily with Sylvia, Rufus Dawes began to brood over a desperate scheme.
bitteradjectiveUS /ˈbɪtər/
marked by strong resentment or cynicism
From this reading The intelligence that the investigation he had hoped for was not to be granted to him had rendered doubly bitter those galling fetters of self restraint which he had laid upon himself.
bringverbUS /brɪŋ/
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading For five years of desolation he had waited and hoped for a chance which might bring him to Hobart Town, and enable him to denounce the treachery of Maurice Frere.
broodverbUS /bruːd/
think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading That afternoon, while Mr. Meekin was digesting his lunch, and chatting airily with Sylvia, Rufus Dawes began to brood over a desperate scheme.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He had, by an almost miraculous accident, obtained that chance of open speech, and, having obtained it, he found that he was not allowed to speak.
chancenounUS /tʃæns/
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading For five years of desolation he had waited and hoped for a chance which might bring him to Hobart Town, and enable him to denounce the treachery of Maurice Frere.
chattingverbUS /ˈtʃætɪŋ/
inflected form of “chat” — talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading That afternoon, while Mr. Meekin was digesting his lunch, and chatting airily with Sylvia, Rufus Dawes began to brood over a desperate scheme.
dashedadjectiveUS /dæʃt/
having gaps or spaces
From this reading All the hopes he had formed were dashed to earth.
DawesnounUS /dɔːz/
American patriot who rode with Paul Revere to warn that the British were advancing on Lexington and Concord (1745-1799)
From this reading That afternoon, while Mr. Meekin was digesting his lunch, and chatting airily with Sylvia, Rufus Dawes began to brood over a desperate scheme.
denounceverbUS /dɪˈnaʊns/
speak out against
From this reading For five years of desolation he had waited and hoped for a chance which might bring him to Hobart Town, and enable him to denounce the treachery of Maurice Frere.
desolationnounUS /ˌdesəˈleɪʃən/
the state of being decayed or destroyed
From this reading For five years of desolation he had waited and hoped for a chance which might bring him to Hobart Town, and enable him to denounce the treachery of Maurice Frere.
desperateadjectiveUS /ˈdesprɪt/
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading That afternoon, while Mr. Meekin was digesting his lunch, and chatting airily with Sylvia, Rufus Dawes began to brood over a desperate scheme.
digestingverbUS /daɪˈdʒestɪŋ/
-ing form of “digest” — convert food into absorbable substances
From this reading That afternoon, while Mr. Meekin was digesting his lunch, and chatting airily with Sylvia, Rufus Dawes began to brood over a desperate scheme.
doublyadverbUS /ˈdʌbli/
to double the degree
From this reading The intelligence that the investigation he had hoped for was not to be granted to him had rendered doubly bitter those galling fetters of self restraint which he had laid upon himself.
earthnounUS /ɜːrθ/
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading All the hopes he had formed were dashed to earth.
enableverbUS /eˈneɪbəl/
render capable or able for some task
From this reading For five years of desolation he had waited and hoped for a chance which might bring him to Hobart Town, and enable him to denounce the treachery of Maurice Frere.
fettersnounUS /ˈfetərz/
plural of “fetter” — a shackle for the ankles or feet
From this reading The intelligence that the investigation he had hoped for was not to be granted to him had rendered doubly bitter those galling fetters of self restraint which he had laid upon himself.
fivenounUS /faɪv/
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading For five years of desolation he had waited and hoped for a chance which might bring him to Hobart Town, and enable him to denounce the treachery of Maurice Frere.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The intelligence that the investigation he had hoped for was not to be granted to him had rendered doubly bitter those galling fetters of self restraint which he had laid upon himself.
formedadjectiveUS /fɔːrmd/
having or given a form or shape
From this reading All the hopes he had formed were dashed to earth.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading He had, by an almost miraculous accident, obtained that chance of open speech, and, having obtained it, he found that he was not allowed to speak.
Frere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For five years of desolation he had waited and hoped for a chance which might bring him to Hobart Town, and enable him to denounce the treachery of Maurice Frere.
gallingadjectiveUS /ˈɡɔːlɪŋ/
causing irritation or annoyance
From this reading The intelligence that the investigation he had hoped for was not to be granted to him had rendered doubly bitter those galling fetters of self restraint which he had laid upon himself.
grantedadjectiveUS /ˈɡræntəd/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading The intelligence that the investigation he had hoped for was not to be granted to him had rendered doubly bitter those galling fetters of self restraint which he had laid upon himself.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The intelligence that the investigation he had hoped for was not to be granted to him had rendered doubly bitter those galling fetters of self restraint which he had laid upon himself.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading He had, by an almost miraculous accident, obtained that chance of open speech, and, having obtained it, he found that he was not allowed to speak.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The intelligence that the investigation he had hoped for was not to be granted to him had rendered doubly bitter those galling fetters of self restraint which he had laid upon himself.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The intelligence that the investigation he had hoped for was not to be granted to him had rendered doubly bitter those galling fetters of self restraint which he had laid upon himself.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The intelligence that the investigation he had hoped for was not to be granted to him had rendered doubly bitter those galling fetters of self restraint which he had laid upon himself.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading That afternoon, while Mr. Meekin was digesting his lunch, and chatting airily with Sylvia, Rufus Dawes began to brood over a desperate scheme.
HobartnounUS /ˈhoʊbɑːrt/
a port and state capital of Tasmania
From this reading For five years of desolation he had waited and hoped for a chance which might bring him to Hobart Town, and enable him to denounce the treachery of Maurice Frere.
hopedverbUS /hoʊpt/
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading The intelligence that the investigation he had hoped for was not to be granted to him had rendered doubly bitter those galling fetters of self restraint which he had laid upon himself.
hopesnounUS /hoʊps/
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading All the hopes he had formed were dashed to earth.
intelligencenounUS /ˌɪnˈtelədʒəns/
the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
From this reading The intelligence that the investigation he had hoped for was not to be granted to him had rendered doubly bitter those galling fetters of self restraint which he had laid upon himself.
investigationnounUS /ˌɪnvestəˈɡeɪʃən/
an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
From this reading The intelligence that the investigation he had hoped for was not to be granted to him had rendered doubly bitter those galling fetters of self restraint which he had laid upon himself.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had, by an almost miraculous accident, obtained that chance of open speech, and, having obtained it, he found that he was not allowed to speak.
laidadjectiveUS /leɪd/
set down according to a plan
From this reading The intelligence that the investigation he had hoped for was not to be granted to him had rendered doubly bitter those galling fetters of self restraint which he had laid upon himself.
lunchverbUS /lʌntʃ/
take the midday meal
From this reading That afternoon, while Mr. Meekin was digesting his lunch, and chatting airily with Sylvia, Rufus Dawes began to brood over a desperate scheme.
Maurice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For five years of desolation he had waited and hoped for a chance which might bring him to Hobart Town, and enable him to denounce the treachery of Maurice Frere.
Meekin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That afternoon, while Mr. Meekin was digesting his lunch, and chatting airily with Sylvia, Rufus Dawes began to brood over a desperate scheme.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading For five years of desolation he had waited and hoped for a chance which might bring him to Hobart Town, and enable him to denounce the treachery of Maurice Frere.
miraculousadjectiveUS /mərˈækjələs/
being or having the character of a miracle
From this reading He had, by an almost miraculous accident, obtained that chance of open speech, and, having obtained it, he found that he was not allowed to speak.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading That afternoon, while Mr. Meekin was digesting his lunch, and chatting airily with Sylvia, Rufus Dawes began to brood over a desperate scheme.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The intelligence that the investigation he had hoped for was not to be granted to him had rendered doubly bitter those galling fetters of self restraint which he had laid upon himself.
obtainedverbUS /əbˈteɪnd/
past form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading He had, by an almost miraculous accident, obtained that chance of open speech, and, having obtained it, he found that he was not allowed to speak.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The intelligence that the investigation he had hoped for was not to be granted to him had rendered doubly bitter those galling fetters of self restraint which he had laid upon himself.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading He had, by an almost miraculous accident, obtained that chance of open speech, and, having obtained it, he found that he was not allowed to speak.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading That afternoon, while Mr. Meekin was digesting his lunch, and chatting airily with Sylvia, Rufus Dawes began to brood over a desperate scheme.
renderedverbUS /ˈrendərd/
past form of “render” — cause to become
From this reading The intelligence that the investigation he had hoped for was not to be granted to him had rendered doubly bitter those galling fetters of self restraint which he had laid upon himself.
restraintnounUS /rɪˈstreɪnt/
the act of controlling by restraining someone or something
From this reading The intelligence that the investigation he had hoped for was not to be granted to him had rendered doubly bitter those galling fetters of self restraint which he had laid upon himself.
Rufus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That afternoon, while Mr. Meekin was digesting his lunch, and chatting airily with Sylvia, Rufus Dawes began to brood over a desperate scheme.
schemenounUS /skiːm/
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading That afternoon, while Mr. Meekin was digesting his lunch, and chatting airily with Sylvia, Rufus Dawes began to brood over a desperate scheme.
selfnounUS /self/
your consciousness of your own identity
From this reading The intelligence that the investigation he had hoped for was not to be granted to him had rendered doubly bitter those galling fetters of self restraint which he had laid upon himself.
speakverbUS /spiːk/
express in speech
From this reading He had, by an almost miraculous accident, obtained that chance of open speech, and, having obtained it, he found that he was not allowed to speak.
speechnounUS /spiːtʃ/
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading He had, by an almost miraculous accident, obtained that chance of open speech, and, having obtained it, he found that he was not allowed to speak.
Sylvia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That afternoon, while Mr. Meekin was digesting his lunch, and chatting airily with Sylvia, Rufus Dawes began to brood over a desperate scheme.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That afternoon, while Mr. Meekin was digesting his lunch, and chatting airily with Sylvia, Rufus Dawes began to brood over a desperate scheme.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The intelligence that the investigation he had hoped for was not to be granted to him had rendered doubly bitter those galling fetters of self restraint which he had laid upon himself.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The intelligence that the investigation he had hoped for was not to be granted to him had rendered doubly bitter those galling fetters of self restraint which he had laid upon himself.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That afternoon, while Mr. Meekin was digesting his lunch, and chatting airily with Sylvia, Rufus Dawes began to brood over a desperate scheme.
TownnounUS /taʊn/
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading For five years of desolation he had waited and hoped for a chance which might bring him to Hobart Town, and enable him to denounce the treachery of Maurice Frere.
treacherynounUS /ˈtretʃ.ər.i/
Betrayal of trust; deceptive action or disloyalty against a host or ally.
From this reading For five years of desolation he had waited and hoped for a chance which might bring him to Hobart Town, and enable him to denounce the treachery of Maurice Frere.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The intelligence that the investigation he had hoped for was not to be granted to him had rendered doubly bitter those galling fetters of self restraint which he had laid upon himself.
waitedverbUS /ˈweɪtɪd/
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading For five years of desolation he had waited and hoped for a chance which might bring him to Hobart Town, and enable him to denounce the treachery of Maurice Frere.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That afternoon, while Mr. Meekin was digesting his lunch, and chatting airily with Sylvia, Rufus Dawes began to brood over a desperate scheme.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading All the hopes he had formed were dashed to earth.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The intelligence that the investigation he had hoped for was not to be granted to him had rendered doubly bitter those galling fetters of self restraint which he had laid upon himself.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading That afternoon, while Mr. Meekin was digesting his lunch, and chatting airily with Sylvia, Rufus Dawes began to brood over a desperate scheme.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading That afternoon, while Mr. Meekin was digesting his lunch, and chatting airily with Sylvia, Rufus Dawes began to brood over a desperate scheme.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading For five years of desolation he had waited and hoped for a chance which might bring him to Hobart Town, and enable him to denounce the treachery of Maurice Frere.
