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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR ARRIVES I In these days of rapid movement, when existence has become little more than a series of shocks of varying intensity, astonishment is the shortest-lived of all the emotions.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR ARRIVES I In these days of rapid movement, when existence has become little more than a series of shocks of varying intensity, astonishment is the shortest-lived of all the emotions.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
amazement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
AMBASSADOR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR ARRIVES I In these days of rapid movement, when existence has become little more than a series of shocks of varying intensity, astonishment is the shortest-lived of all the emotions.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
ARRIVES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR ARRIVES I In these days of rapid movement, when existence has become little more than a series of shocks of varying intensity, astonishment is the shortest-lived of all the emotions.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
astonishment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR ARRIVES I In these days of rapid movement, when existence has become little more than a series of shocks of varying intensity, astonishment is the shortest-lived of all the emotions.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
become
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR ARRIVES I In these days of rapid movement, when existence has become little more than a series of shocks of varying intensity, astonishment is the shortest-lived of all the emotions.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
chain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
circumstances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
collect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not a very exalted note on which to pitch the conversation, but it had the merit of giving each of them a little more time to collect themselves.
conversation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not a very exalted note on which to pitch the conversation, but it had the merit of giving each of them a little more time to collect themselves.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR ARRIVES I In these days of rapid movement, when existence has become little more than a series of shocks of varying intensity, astonishment is the shortest-lived of all the emotions.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
emotions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR ARRIVES I In these days of rapid movement, when existence has become little more than a series of shocks of varying intensity, astonishment is the shortest-lived of all the emotions.
event
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
exalted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not a very exalted note on which to pitch the conversation, but it had the merit of giving each of them a little more time to collect themselves.
existence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR ARRIVES I In these days of rapid movement, when existence has become little more than a series of shocks of varying intensity, astonishment is the shortest-lived of all the emotions.
eye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
giving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not a very exalted note on which to pitch the conversation, but it had the merit of giving each of them a little more time to collect themselves.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was not a very exalted note on which to pitch the conversation, but it had the merit of giving each of them a little more time to collect themselves.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR ARRIVES I In these days of rapid movement, when existence has become little more than a series of shocks of varying intensity, astonishment is the shortest-lived of all the emotions.
Hullo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Hullo!" said Wally.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR ARRIVES I In these days of rapid movement, when existence has become little more than a series of shocks of varying intensity, astonishment is the shortest-lived of all the emotions.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR ARRIVES I In these days of rapid movement, when existence has become little more than a series of shocks of varying intensity, astonishment is the shortest-lived of all the emotions.
inexplicablenounUS /inexplicable/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
instant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
intensity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR ARRIVES I In these days of rapid movement, when existence has become little more than a series of shocks of varying intensity, astonishment is the shortest-lived of all the emotions.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR ARRIVES I In these days of rapid movement, when existence has become little more than a series of shocks of varying intensity, astonishment is the shortest-lived of all the emotions.
isolated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not a very exalted note on which to pitch the conversation, but it had the merit of giving each of them a little more time to collect themselves.
Jill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR ARRIVES I In these days of rapid movement, when existence has become little more than a series of shocks of varying intensity, astonishment is the shortest-lived of all the emotions.
logical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
meeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
merit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not a very exalted note on which to pitch the conversation, but it had the merit of giving each of them a little more time to collect themselves.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR ARRIVES I In these days of rapid movement, when existence has become little more than a series of shocks of varying intensity, astonishment is the shortest-lived of all the emotions.
movement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR ARRIVES I In these days of rapid movement, when existence has become little more than a series of shocks of varying intensity, astonishment is the shortest-lived of all the emotions.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
note
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not a very exalted note on which to pitch the conversation, but it had the merit of giving each of them a little more time to collect themselves.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR ARRIVES I In these days of rapid movement, when existence has become little more than a series of shocks of varying intensity, astonishment is the shortest-lived of all the emotions.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was not a very exalted note on which to pitch the conversation, but it had the merit of giving each of them a little more time to collect themselves.
perfectly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
pitch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not a very exalted note on which to pitch the conversation, but it had the merit of giving each of them a little more time to collect themselves.
process
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
rapid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR ARRIVES I In these days of rapid movement, when existence has become little more than a series of shocks of varying intensity, astonishment is the shortest-lived of all the emotions.
regard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
resulting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Hullo!" said Wally.
series
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR ARRIVES I In these days of rapid movement, when existence has become little more than a series of shocks of varying intensity, astonishment is the shortest-lived of all the emotions.
shocks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR ARRIVES I In these days of rapid movement, when existence has become little more than a series of shocks of varying intensity, astonishment is the shortest-lived of all the emotions.
shortest-lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR ARRIVES I In these days of rapid movement, when existence has become little more than a series of shocks of varying intensity, astonishment is the shortest-lived of all the emotions.
simultaneously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
subconscious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR ARRIVES I In these days of rapid movement, when existence has become little more than a series of shocks of varying intensity, astonishment is the shortest-lived of all the emotions.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR ARRIVES I In these days of rapid movement, when existence has become little more than a series of shocks of varying intensity, astonishment is the shortest-lived of all the emotions.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was not a very exalted note on which to pitch the conversation, but it had the merit of giving each of them a little more time to collect themselves.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading It was not a very exalted note on which to pitch the conversation, but it had the merit of giving each of them a little more time to collect themselves.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR ARRIVES I In these days of rapid movement, when existence has become little more than a series of shocks of varying intensity, astonishment is the shortest-lived of all the emotions.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was not a very exalted note on which to pitch the conversation, but it had the merit of giving each of them a little more time to collect themselves.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
total
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
varying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR ARRIVES I In these days of rapid movement, when existence has become little more than a series of shocks of varying intensity, astonishment is the shortest-lived of all the emotions.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not a very exalted note on which to pitch the conversation, but it had the merit of giving each of them a little more time to collect themselves.
Wally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR ARRIVES I In these days of rapid movement, when existence has become little more than a series of shocks of varying intensity, astonishment is the shortest-lived of all the emotions.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was an instant in which Jill looked at Wally and Wally at Jill with the eye of total amazement, and then, almost simultaneously, each began--the process was subconscious--to regard this meeting not as an isolated and inexplicable event, but as something resulting from a perfectly logical chain of circumstances.
