Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was not a fear-inspiring object; hunger and privation seemed so to have gripped him that now he presented but a pitiable shadow of himself.
abject
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Did John Steele notice that changed, abject aspect, that bearing, devoid totally of confidence?
absurdly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
accosted
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From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
All
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
arm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Steele's arm had half raised; it now fell to his side; his eyes continued to study, with swift, piercing glance, the man who had called.
aspect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Did John Steele notice that changed, abject aspect, that bearing, devoid totally of confidence?
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
bearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Did John Steele notice that changed, abject aspect, that bearing, devoid totally of confidence?
BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
bright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
build
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was not a fear-inspiring object; hunger and privation seemed so to have gripped him that now he presented but a pitiable shadow of himself.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Steele's arm had half raised; it now fell to his side; his eyes continued to study, with swift, piercing glance, the man who had called.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
changed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Did John Steele notice that changed, abject aspect, that bearing, devoid totally of confidence?
cheap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
confidencenounUS /ˈconfidence/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Did John Steele notice that changed, abject aspect, that bearing, devoid totally of confidence?
continuednounUS /ˈcontinued/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Steele's arm had half raised; it now fell to his side; his eyes continued to study, with swift, piercing glance, the man who had called.
coster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
cravatnounUS /krəˈvæt/
A short, wide strip of silk fabric worn by gentlemen around the neck inside an open-collared shirt.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
curled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
definite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
detailsnounUS /ˈdetails/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
devoid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Did John Steele notice that changed, abject aspect, that bearing, devoid totally of confidence?
Didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Did John Steele notice that changed, abject aspect, that bearing, devoid totally of confidence?
distinct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
dropped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Steele's arm had half raised; it now fell to his side; his eyes continued to study, with swift, piercing glance, the man who had called.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
fear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
fear-inspiring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not a fear-inspiring object; hunger and privation seemed so to have gripped him that now he presented but a pitiable shadow of himself.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Steele's arm had half raised; it now fell to his side; his eyes continued to study, with swift, piercing glance, the man who had called.
fierce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
flamenounUS /fleɪm/
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
glance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Steele's arm had half raised; it now fell to his side; his eyes continued to study, with swift, piercing glance, the man who had called.
gleaming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
gripped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not a fear-inspiring object; hunger and privation seemed so to have gripped him that now he presented but a pitiable shadow of himself.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Steele's arm had half raised; it now fell to his side; his eyes continued to study, with swift, piercing glance, the man who had called.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He was not a fear-inspiring object; hunger and privation seemed so to have gripped him that now he presented but a pitiable shadow of himself.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He was not a fear-inspiring object; hunger and privation seemed so to have gripped him that now he presented but a pitiable shadow of himself.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
hung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
hunger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not a fear-inspiring object; hunger and privation seemed so to have gripped him that now he presented but a pitiable shadow of himself.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
incoherently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
individual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Steele's arm had half raised; it now fell to his side; his eyes continued to study, with swift, piercing glance, the man who had called.
jauntiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Steele's arm had half raised; it now fell to his side; his eyes continued to study, with swift, piercing glance, the man who had called.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was not a fear-inspiring object; hunger and privation seemed so to have gripped him that now he presented but a pitiable shadow of himself.
notice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Did John Steele notice that changed, abject aspect, that bearing, devoid totally of confidence?
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Steele's arm had half raised; it now fell to his side; his eyes continued to study, with swift, piercing glance, the man who had called.
object
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not a fear-inspiring object; hunger and privation seemed so to have gripped him that now he presented but a pitiable shadow of himself.
oblivion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
ornament
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
pale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
passion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
piercing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Steele's arm had half raised; it now fell to his side; his eyes continued to study, with swift, piercing glance, the man who had called.
pinchednounUS /ˈpinched/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
pitiable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not a fear-inspiring object; hunger and privation seemed so to have gripped him that now he presented but a pitiable shadow of himself.
presented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not a fear-inspiring object; hunger and privation seemed so to have gripped him that now he presented but a pitiable shadow of himself.
pretense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
privation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not a fear-inspiring object; hunger and privation seemed so to have gripped him that now he presented but a pitiable shadow of himself.
raised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Steele's arm had half raised; it now fell to his side; his eyes continued to study, with swift, piercing glance, the man who had called.
remembered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was not a fear-inspiring object; hunger and privation seemed so to have gripped him that now he presented but a pitiable shadow of himself.
served
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading He was not a fear-inspiring object; hunger and privation seemed so to have gripped him that now he presented but a pitiable shadow of himself.
showed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
shrank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Steele's arm had half raised; it now fell to his side; his eyes continued to study, with swift, piercing glance, the man who had called.
smartness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He was not a fear-inspiring object; hunger and privation seemed so to have gripped him that now he presented but a pitiable shadow of himself.
stammer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
Steele
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Did John Steele notice that changed, abject aspect, that bearing, devoid totally of confidence?
Steele's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
straggling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
straight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
study
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Steele's arm had half raised; it now fell to his side; his eyes continued to study, with swift, piercing glance, the man who had called.
suddennounUS /sudden/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
swift
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Steele's arm had half raised; it now fell to his side; his eyes continued to study, with swift, piercing glance, the man who had called.
tawdry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was not a fear-inspiring object; hunger and privation seemed so to have gripped him that now he presented but a pitiable shadow of himself.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
totally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Did John Steele notice that changed, abject aspect, that bearing, devoid totally of confidence?
type
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
UNEXPECTED
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
vanished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was not a fear-inspiring object; hunger and privation seemed so to have gripped him that now he presented but a pitiable shadow of himself.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading All pretense of a certain coster smartness that he remembered, had vanished; the hair, once curled with cheap jauntiness, hung now straight and straggling; a tawdry ornament which had stood out in the past, absurdly distinct on a bright cravat, with many other details that had served to build up a definite type of individual, seemed to have dropped off into oblivion.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading THE UNEXPECTED Before the sudden fierce passion gleaming on John Steele's face, the bright flame of his look, the person who had accosted him shrank back; his pinched and pale face showed surprise, fear; almost incoherently he began to stammer.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Steele's arm had half raised; it now fell to his side; his eyes continued to study, with swift, piercing glance, the man who had called.
