adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The experiment had all the charm of novelty, and the weather was in their favor, since there was little temptation to be out of doors; so, at the close of the first day, the reading was voted a great success.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Polly's reading-club started off valiantly the next afternoon, and for an hour the girls read aloud industriously, while the rain pattered on the shingles above their heads.
adoptedadjectiveUS /əˈdɑːptɪd/
acquired as your own by free choice
From this reading Still, Polly was in the minority, and the change of programme was adopted.
afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Polly's reading-club started off valiantly the next afternoon, and for an hour the girls read aloud industriously, while the rain pattered on the shingles above their heads.
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 The experiment had all the charm of novelty, and the weather was in their favor, since there was little temptation to be out of doors; so, at the close of the first day, the reading was voted a great success.
aloudadverbUS /əˈlaʊd/
using the voice; not silently
From this reading Polly's reading-club started off valiantly the next afternoon, and for an hour the girls read aloud industriously, while the rain pattered on the shingles above their heads.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Polly's reading-club started off valiantly the next afternoon, and for an hour the girls read aloud industriously, while the rain pattered on the shingles above their heads.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Polly's reading-club started off valiantly the next afternoon, and for an hour the girls read aloud industriously, while the rain pattered on the shingles above their heads.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The experiment had all the charm of novelty, and the weather was in their favor, since there was little temptation to be out of doors; so, at the close of the first day, the reading was voted a great success.
AuntnounUS /ænt/
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The experiment had all the charm of novelty, and the weather was in their favor, since there was little temptation to be out of doors; so, at the close of the first day, the reading was voted a great success.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
changeverbUS /tʃeɪndʒ/
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Still, Polly was in the minority, and the change of programme was adopted.
charmnounUS /tʃɑːrm/
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading The experiment had all the charm of novelty, and the weather was in their favor, since there was little temptation to be out of doors; so, at the close of the first day, the reading was voted a great success.
closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading The experiment had all the charm of novelty, and the weather was in their favor, since there was little temptation to be out of doors; so, at the close of the first day, the reading was voted a great success.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The experiment had all the charm of novelty, and the weather was in their favor, since there was little temptation to be out of doors; so, at the close of the first day, the reading was voted a great success.
decreaseverbUS /dɪˈkriːs/
decrease in size, extent, or range
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
delightverbUS /dɪˈlaɪt/
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
disgraceverbUS /dɪsˈɡreɪs/
bring shame or dishonor upon
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
doorsnounUS /dɔːrz/
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The experiment had all the charm of novelty, and the weather was in their favor, since there was little temptation to be out of doors; so, at the close of the first day, the reading was voted a great success.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
experimentnounUS /ɪkˈsperəmənt/
the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation
From this reading The experiment had all the charm of novelty, and the weather was in their favor, since there was little temptation to be out of doors; so, at the close of the first day, the reading was voted a great success.
favorverbUS /ˈfeɪvər/
promote over another
From this reading The experiment had all the charm of novelty, and the weather was in their favor, since there was little temptation to be out of doors; so, at the close of the first day, the reading was voted a great success.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The experiment had all the charm of novelty, and the weather was in their favor, since there was little temptation to be out of doors; so, at the close of the first day, the reading was voted a great success.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Polly's reading-club started off valiantly the next afternoon, and for an hour the girls read aloud industriously, while the rain pattered on the shingles above their heads.
gamesnounUS /ɡeɪmz/
plural of “game” — a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
GIRLSnounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading THE GIRLS TRY TO IMPROVE THEIR MINDS.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The experiment had all the charm of novelty, and the weather was in their favor, since there was little temptation to be out of doors; so, at the close of the first day, the reading was voted a great success.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The experiment had all the charm of novelty, and the weather was in their favor, since there was little temptation to be out of doors; so, at the close of the first day, the reading was voted a great success.
hailedverbUS /heɪld/
past form of “hail” — praise vociferously
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
halfadjectiveUS /hæf/
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
hauntedadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːntɪd/
having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
headsnounUS /hedz/
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Polly's reading-club started off valiantly the next afternoon, and for an hour the girls read aloud industriously, while the rain pattered on the shingles above their heads.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Polly's reading-club started off valiantly the next afternoon, and for an hour the girls read aloud industriously, while the rain pattered on the shingles above their heads.
HoweveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
IMPROVEverbUS /ˌɪmˈpruːv/
to make better
From this reading THE GIRLS TRY TO IMPROVE THEIR MINDS.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The experiment had all the charm of novelty, and the weather was in their favor, since there was little temptation to be out of doors; so, at the close of the first day, the reading was voted a great success.
industriouslyadverb
in an industrious manner
From this reading Polly's reading-club started off valiantly the next afternoon, and for an hour the girls read aloud industriously, while the rain pattered on the shingles above their heads.
interestnounUS /ˈɪntrəst/
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
Jean'snounUS /dʒiːnz/
possessive form of “jean” — a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The experiment had all the charm of novelty, and the weather was in their favor, since there was little temptation to be out of doors; so, at the close of the first day, the reading was voted a great success.
livingnounUS /ˈlɪvɪŋ/
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
MINDSnounUS /maɪndz/
plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading THE GIRLS TRY TO IMPROVE THEIR MINDS.
minoritynounUS /maɪˈnɔːrəti/
a group of people who differ racially or politically from a larger group of which it is a part
From this reading Still, Polly was in the minority, and the change of programme was adopted.
nextadjectiveUS /nekst/
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Polly's reading-club started off valiantly the next afternoon, and for an hour the girls read aloud industriously, while the rain pattered on the shingles above their heads.
noveltynounUS /ˈnɑːvəlti/
originality by virtue of being refreshingly novel
From this reading The experiment had all the charm of novelty, and the weather was in their favor, since there was little temptation to be out of doors; so, at the close of the first day, the reading was voted a great success.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The experiment had all the charm of novelty, and the weather was in their favor, since there was little temptation to be out of doors; so, at the close of the first day, the reading was voted a great success.
offadverbUS /ɔːf/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Polly's reading-club started off valiantly the next afternoon, and for an hour the girls read aloud industriously, while the rain pattered on the shingles above their heads.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Polly's reading-club started off valiantly the next afternoon, and for an hour the girls read aloud industriously, while the rain pattered on the shingles above their heads.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The experiment had all the charm of novelty, and the weather was in their favor, since there was little temptation to be out of doors; so, at the close of the first day, the reading was voted a great success.
patteredverbUS /ˈpætərd/
past form of “patter” — rain gently
From this reading Polly's reading-club started off valiantly the next afternoon, and for an hour the girls read aloud industriously, while the rain pattered on the shingles above their heads.
playverbUS /pleɪ/
participate in games or sport
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
Polly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
Polly's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly's reading-club started off valiantly the next afternoon, and for an hour the girls read aloud industriously, while the rain pattered on the shingles above their heads.
possibilitynounUS /ˌpɑːsəˈbɪlətiː/
a future prospect or potential
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
programmenounUS /ˈproʊɡræm/
an announcement of the events that will occur as part of a theatrical or sporting event
From this reading Still, Polly was in the minority, and the change of programme was adopted.
pronouncedadjectiveUS /prəˈnaʊnst/
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
rainnounUS /reɪn/
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading Polly's reading-club started off valiantly the next afternoon, and for an hour the girls read aloud industriously, while the rain pattered on the shingles above their heads.
readverbUS /red/
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Polly's reading-club started off valiantly the next afternoon, and for an hour the girls read aloud industriously, while the rain pattered on the shingles above their heads.
readingnounUS /ˈriːdɪŋ/
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading The experiment had all the charm of novelty, and the weather was in their favor, since there was little temptation to be out of doors; so, at the close of the first day, the reading was voted a great success.
reading-club
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly's reading-club started off valiantly the next afternoon, and for an hour the girls read aloud industriously, while the rain pattered on the shingles above their heads.
restverbUS /rest/
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
shinglesnounUS /ˈʃɪŋɡəlz/
eruptions along a nerve path often accompanied by severe neuralgia
From this reading Polly's reading-club started off valiantly the next afternoon, and for an hour the girls read aloud industriously, while the rain pattered on the shingles above their heads.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading The experiment had all the charm of novelty, and the weather was in their favor, since there was little temptation to be out of doors; so, at the close of the first day, the reading was voted a great success.
slightnounUS /slaɪt/
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The experiment had all the charm of novelty, and the weather was in their favor, since there was little temptation to be out of doors; so, at the close of the first day, the reading was voted a great success.
startedverbUS /ˈstɑːrtɪd/
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Polly's reading-club started off valiantly the next afternoon, and for an hour the girls read aloud industriously, while the rain pattered on the shingles above their heads.
StilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading Still, Polly was in the minority, and the change of programme was adopted.
successnounUS /səkˈses/
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading The experiment had all the charm of novelty, and the weather was in their favor, since there was little temptation to be out of doors; so, at the close of the first day, the reading was voted a great success.
suggestionnounUS /səˈdʒestʃən/
an idea that is suggested
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
temptationnounUS /temˈteɪʃən/
something that seduces or has the quality to seduce
From this reading The experiment had all the charm of novelty, and the weather was in their favor, since there was little temptation to be out of doors; so, at the close of the first day, the reading was voted a great success.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE GIRLS TRY TO IMPROVE THEIR MINDS.
THEIRdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE GIRLS TRY TO IMPROVE THEIR MINDS.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading The experiment had all the charm of novelty, and the weather was in their favor, since there was little temptation to be out of doors; so, at the close of the first day, the reading was voted a great success.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
TOparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE GIRLS TRY TO IMPROVE THEIR MINDS.
TRYverbUS /traɪ/
make an effort or attempt
From this reading THE GIRLS TRY TO IMPROVE THEIR MINDS.
valiantlyadverbUS /ˈvæljəntli/
with valor; in a valiant manner
From this reading Polly's reading-club started off valiantly the next afternoon, and for an hour the girls read aloud industriously, while the rain pattered on the shingles above their heads.
votedverbUS /ˈvoʊtɪd/
past form of “vote” — express one's preference for a candidate or for a measure or resolution; cast a vote
From this reading The experiment had all the charm of novelty, and the weather was in their favor, since there was little temptation to be out of doors; so, at the close of the first day, the reading was voted a great success.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The experiment had all the charm of novelty, and the weather was in their favor, since there was little temptation to be out of doors; so, at the close of the first day, the reading was voted a great success.
weathernounUS /ˈweðər/
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading The experiment had all the charm of novelty, and the weather was in their favor, since there was little temptation to be out of doors; so, at the close of the first day, the reading was voted a great success.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Polly's reading-club started off valiantly the next afternoon, and for an hour the girls read aloud industriously, while the rain pattered on the shingles above their heads.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading However, the next time there was a slight decrease in the interest, and Jean's suggestion as they sat down, that they should read for half an hour and play games the rest of the time, was hailed with delight by all but Polly, who was haunted by the possibility of being that "living disgrace" which Aunt Jane had pronounced her.
