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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 His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.
advertisement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.
Africa
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From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.
awful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.
back
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From this reading She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.
ceased
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From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
Coast
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From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.
cutting
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From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
depart
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From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.
diminutive
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From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
engaged
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From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Pooh! the girl is happy enough!”
flannel
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From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
garment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
gentle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
getting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Pooh! the girl is happy enough!”
gladness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.
Glynde
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.
happy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Pooh! the girl is happy enough!”
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.
husband's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Pooh! the girl is happy enough!”
jerked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
Making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.
MOTIVES
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From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.
mute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.
newspaper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.
occupation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
OfprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.
operation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
performing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
Pooh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Pooh! the girl is happy enough!”
pretence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.
proportions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.
scarlet
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From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
snips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
steamships
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.
study
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Pooh! the girl is happy enough!”
thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.
TWO
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.
vain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.
watching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.
West
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.