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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 When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
breaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
caused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
chance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
cigar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt just in the mood to pause there and enjoy what comfort he could find in a good cigar.
city
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
comfort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt just in the mood to pause there and enjoy what comfort he could find in a good cigar.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He felt just in the mood to pause there and enjoy what comfort he could find in a good cigar.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
delay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
DoctornounUS /doctor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
due
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
enabled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
engine-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
enjoy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt just in the mood to pause there and enjoy what comfort he could find in a good cigar.
expected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
fate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt just in the mood to pause there and enjoy what comfort he could find in a good cigar.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt just in the mood to pause there and enjoy what comfort he could find in a good cigar.
fortnight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
gang-plank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
Gardiner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He felt just in the mood to pause there and enjoy what comfort he could find in a good cigar.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
hurry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
Jay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt just in the mood to pause there and enjoy what comfort he could find in a good cigar.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
leisurely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
lights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
machinery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
merest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
midnight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
mood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt just in the mood to pause there and enjoy what comfort he could find in a good cigar.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
owing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
passagenounUS /ˈpassage/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
passengers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
pause
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt just in the mood to pause there and enjoy what comfort he could find in a good cigar.
pausing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
pier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
possibly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
rail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
settle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
speaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
steamer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
touched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
transacting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
truly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
turn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
unaccountable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
unexpected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
walked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
wharf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He felt just in the mood to pause there and enjoy what comfort he could find in a good cigar.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
