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Chapter XX · More Discoveries

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Context Illustration Reading 1/30 · 5 lines
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When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.
Mat bore all this noise and ridicule, and all the jesting that followed it about the futility of drowning his passion for Madonna in the brandy-bottle, with the most unruffled and exemplary patience.
The self-control which he thus exhibited did not pass without its reward.
Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.
"By-the-bye, Mat," he said, "we must sweep the place up, and look as respectable as we can, before to-morrow night.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Hide and Seek

Chapter XX · More Discoveries

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.
Line 2
Mat bore all this noise and ridicule, and all the jesting that followed it about the futility of drowning his passion for Madonna in the brandy-bottle, with the most unruffled and exemplary patience.
Line 3
The self-control which he thus exhibited did not pass without its reward.
Line 4
Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.
Line 5
"By-the-bye, Mat," he said, "we must sweep the place up, and look as respectable as we can, before to-morrow night.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.”

Astonished adjective US /əˈstɑːnɪʃt/

very surprised

From this reading “Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “"By-the-bye, Mat," he said, "we must sweep the place up, and look as respectable as we can, before to-morrow night.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.”

Look noun US /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"By-the-bye, Mat," he said, "we must sweep the place up, and look as respectable as we can, before to-morrow night.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “"By-the-bye, Mat," he said, "we must sweep the place up, and look as respectable as we can, before to-morrow night.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.”

Roared noun US /roared/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.”

Suddenly noun US /ˈsuddenly/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.”

Till preposition US /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “The self-control which he thus exhibited did not pass without its reward.”

All words in this reading · 117

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 When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mat bore all this noise and ridicule, and all the jesting that followed it about the futility of drowning his passion for Madonna in the brandy-bottle, with the most unruffled and exemplary patience.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading "By-the-bye, Mat," he said, "we must sweep the place up, and look as respectable as we can, before to-morrow night.

astonishedadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃt/

very surprised

From this reading Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading "By-the-bye, Mat," he said, "we must sweep the place up, and look as respectable as we can, before to-morrow night.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

boisterous

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

bore

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mat bore all this noise and ridicule, and all the jesting that followed it about the futility of drowning his passion for Madonna in the brandy-bottle, with the most unruffled and exemplary patience.

brandy-bottle

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.

By-the-bye

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "By-the-bye, Mat," he said, "we must sweep the place up, and look as respectable as we can, before to-morrow night.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "By-the-bye, Mat," he said, "we must sweep the place up, and look as respectable as we can, before to-morrow night.

candle

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

communicating

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.

corner

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

crossed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading The self-control which he thus exhibited did not pass without its reward.

drowning

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mat bore all this noise and ridicule, and all the jesting that followed it about the futility of drowning his passion for Madonna in the brandy-bottle, with the most unruffled and exemplary patience.

entered

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

exemplary

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mat bore all this noise and ridicule, and all the jesting that followed it about the futility of drowning his passion for Madonna in the brandy-bottle, with the most unruffled and exemplary patience.

exhibited

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The self-control which he thus exhibited did not pass without its reward.

fanciful

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.

fellow-lodger

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.

flimsy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

floor

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

followed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mat bore all this noise and ridicule, and all the jesting that followed it about the futility of drowning his passion for Madonna in the brandy-bottle, with the most unruffled and exemplary patience.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Mat bore all this noise and ridicule, and all the jesting that followed it about the futility of drowning his passion for Madonna in the brandy-bottle, with the most unruffled and exemplary patience.

foundations

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

friend

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.

futility

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mat bore all this noise and ridicule, and all the jesting that followed it about the futility of drowning his passion for Madonna in the brandy-bottle, with the most unruffled and exemplary patience.

got

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.

gravely

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

guttering

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

house

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

important

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

inattention

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Mat bore all this noise and ridicule, and all the jesting that followed it about the futility of drowning his passion for Madonna in the brandy-bottle, with the most unruffled and exemplary patience.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

jesting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mat bore all this noise and ridicule, and all the jesting that followed it about the futility of drowning his passion for Madonna in the brandy-bottle, with the most unruffled and exemplary patience.

jokes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.

laughter

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

legs

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

looknounUS /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "By-the-bye, Mat," he said, "we must sweep the place up, and look as respectable as we can, before to-morrow night.

Madonna

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mat bore all this noise and ridicule, and all the jesting that followed it about the futility of drowning his passion for Madonna in the brandy-bottle, with the most unruffled and exemplary patience.

making

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.

Mat

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mat bore all this noise and ridicule, and all the jesting that followed it about the futility of drowning his passion for Madonna in the brandy-bottle, with the most unruffled and exemplary patience.

most

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mat bore all this noise and ridicule, and all the jesting that followed it about the futility of drowning his passion for Madonna in the brandy-bottle, with the most unruffled and exemplary patience.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading "By-the-bye, Mat," he said, "we must sweep the place up, and look as respectable as we can, before to-morrow night.

news

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.

night

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "By-the-bye, Mat," he said, "we must sweep the place up, and look as respectable as we can, before to-morrow night.

noise

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mat bore all this noise and ridicule, and all the jesting that followed it about the futility of drowning his passion for Madonna in the brandy-bottle, with the most unruffled and exemplary patience.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The self-control which he thus exhibited did not pass without its reward.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mat bore all this noise and ridicule, and all the jesting that followed it about the futility of drowning his passion for Madonna in the brandy-bottle, with the most unruffled and exemplary patience.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

once

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From this reading Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

other

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

pass

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From this reading The self-control which he thus exhibited did not pass without its reward.

passing

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From this reading Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.

passion

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mat bore all this noise and ridicule, and all the jesting that followed it about the futility of drowning his passion for Madonna in the brandy-bottle, with the most unruffled and exemplary patience.

patience

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mat bore all this noise and ridicule, and all the jesting that followed it about the futility of drowning his passion for Madonna in the brandy-bottle, with the most unruffled and exemplary patience.

piece

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.

place

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "By-the-bye, Mat," he said, "we must sweep the place up, and look as respectable as we can, before to-morrow night.

pockets

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

practical

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.

received

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.

respectable

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "By-the-bye, Mat," he said, "we must sweep the place up, and look as respectable as we can, before to-morrow night.

reward

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From this reading The self-control which he thus exhibited did not pass without its reward.

ridicule

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From this reading Mat bore all this noise and ridicule, and all the jesting that followed it about the futility of drowning his passion for Madonna in the brandy-bottle, with the most unruffled and exemplary patience.

roarednounUS /roared/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

room

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

said

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "By-the-bye, Mat," he said, "we must sweep the place up, and look as respectable as we can, before to-morrow night.

saw

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

self-control

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From this reading The self-control which he thus exhibited did not pass without its reward.

serenest

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.

side

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

sitting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

stamped

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

strange

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.

sweep

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "By-the-bye, Mat," he said, "we must sweep the place up, and look as respectable as we can, before to-morrow night.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Mat bore all this noise and ridicule, and all the jesting that followed it about the futility of drowning his passion for Madonna in the brandy-bottle, with the most unruffled and exemplary patience.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Mat bore all this noise and ridicule, and all the jesting that followed it about the futility of drowning his passion for Madonna in the brandy-bottle, with the most unruffled and exemplary patience.

thus

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From this reading The self-control which he thus exhibited did not pass without its reward.

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

tired

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

to-morrow

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "By-the-bye, Mat," he said, "we must sweep the place up, and look as respectable as we can, before to-morrow night.

trembling

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

unexpected

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.

unruffled

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mat bore all this noise and ridicule, and all the jesting that followed it about the futility of drowning his passion for Madonna in the brandy-bottle, with the most unruffled and exemplary patience.

unsnuffed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

up

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "By-the-bye, Mat," he said, "we must sweep the place up, and look as respectable as we can, before to-morrow night.

usual

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

very

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

way

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "By-the-bye, Mat," he said, "we must sweep the place up, and look as respectable as we can, before to-morrow night.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Zack got tired of making jokes which were received with the serenest inattention; and, passing at once from the fanciful to the practical, astonished his fellow-lodger, by suddenly communicating a very unexpected and very important piece of news.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The self-control which he thus exhibited did not pass without its reward.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The self-control which he thus exhibited did not pass without its reward.

Zack

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Zack entered the room, and saw his strange friend, with legs crossed and hands in pockets, sitting gravely in the usual corner, on the floor, between a brandy-bottle on one side, and a guttering, unsnuffed candle on the other, he roared with laughter, and stamped about in his usual boisterous way, till the flimsy little house seemed to be trembling under him to its very foundations.