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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 He was nearing the house when he saw from the opposite direction a man turn the corner and with halting gait come slowly toward the house and pause before the steps uncertainly.
addition
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From this reading Michael stopped beside him, saying good evening, the thrill of his voice conveying his own joy in the meeting in addition to a common greeting.
always
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From this reading He was convinced that Starr was still away from home, for he had seen no lights now for several weeks in the room that he knew was her own, but there was always the chance that she might have returned.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was nearing the house when he saw from the opposite direction a man turn the corner and with halting gait come slowly toward the house and pause before the steps uncertainly.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Something familiar in the man’s attitude caused Michael to hasten his steps, and coming closer he found that it was Mr. Endicott himself, and that he stood looking up the steps of his home as though they had been a difficult hill which he must climb.
attitude
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From this reading Something familiar in the man’s attitude caused Michael to hasten his steps, and coming closer he found that it was Mr. Endicott himself, and that he stood looking up the steps of his home as though they had been a difficult hill which he must climb.
away
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From this reading He was convinced that Starr was still away from home, for he had seen no lights now for several weeks in the room that he knew was her own, but there was always the chance that she might have returned.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Something familiar in the man’s attitude caused Michael to hasten his steps, and coming closer he found that it was Mr. Endicott himself, and that he stood looking up the steps of his home as though they had been a difficult hill which he must climb.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He was nearing the house when he saw from the opposite direction a man turn the corner and with halting gait come slowly toward the house and pause before the steps uncertainly.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading Michael stopped beside him, saying good evening, the thrill of his voice conveying his own joy in the meeting in addition to a common greeting.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was convinced that Starr was still away from home, for he had seen no lights now for several weeks in the room that he knew was her own, but there was always the chance that she might have returned.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Late in January Michael was taking his nightly walk homeward by way of the Endicott home.
caused
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From this reading Something familiar in the man’s attitude caused Michael to hasten his steps, and coming closer he found that it was Mr. Endicott himself, and that he stood looking up the steps of his home as though they had been a difficult hill which he must climb.
chance
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From this reading He was convinced that Starr was still away from home, for he had seen no lights now for several weeks in the room that he knew was her own, but there was always the chance that she might have returned.
climb
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From this reading Something familiar in the man’s attitude caused Michael to hasten his steps, and coming closer he found that it was Mr. Endicott himself, and that he stood looking up the steps of his home as though they had been a difficult hill which he must climb.
closer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something familiar in the man’s attitude caused Michael to hasten his steps, and coming closer he found that it was Mr. Endicott himself, and that he stood looking up the steps of his home as though they had been a difficult hill which he must climb.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was nearing the house when he saw from the opposite direction a man turn the corner and with halting gait come slowly toward the house and pause before the steps uncertainly.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something familiar in the man’s attitude caused Michael to hasten his steps, and coming closer he found that it was Mr. Endicott himself, and that he stood looking up the steps of his home as though they had been a difficult hill which he must climb.
common
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Michael stopped beside him, saying good evening, the thrill of his voice conveying his own joy in the meeting in addition to a common greeting.
conveying
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From this reading Michael stopped beside him, saying good evening, the thrill of his voice conveying his own joy in the meeting in addition to a common greeting.
convinced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was convinced that Starr was still away from home, for he had seen no lights now for several weeks in the room that he knew was her own, but there was always the chance that she might have returned.
corner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was nearing the house when he saw from the opposite direction a man turn the corner and with halting gait come slowly toward the house and pause before the steps uncertainly.
difficult
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something familiar in the man’s attitude caused Michael to hasten his steps, and coming closer he found that it was Mr. Endicott himself, and that he stood looking up the steps of his home as though they had been a difficult hill which he must climb.
direction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was nearing the house when he saw from the opposite direction a man turn the corner and with halting gait come slowly toward the house and pause before the steps uncertainly.
Endicott
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Late in January Michael was taking his nightly walk homeward by way of the Endicott home.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Michael stopped beside him, saying good evening, the thrill of his voice conveying his own joy in the meeting in addition to a common greeting.
familiar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something familiar in the man’s attitude caused Michael to hasten his steps, and coming closer he found that it was Mr. Endicott himself, and that he stood looking up the steps of his home as though they had been a difficult hill which he must climb.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was convinced that Starr was still away from home, for he had seen no lights now for several weeks in the room that he knew was her own, but there was always the chance that she might have returned.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Something familiar in the man’s attitude caused Michael to hasten his steps, and coming closer he found that it was Mr. Endicott himself, and that he stood looking up the steps of his home as though they had been a difficult hill which he must climb.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He was convinced that Starr was still away from home, for he had seen no lights now for several weeks in the room that he knew was her own, but there was always the chance that she might have returned.
gait
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was nearing the house when he saw from the opposite direction a man turn the corner and with halting gait come slowly toward the house and pause before the steps uncertainly.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Michael stopped beside him, saying good evening, the thrill of his voice conveying his own joy in the meeting in addition to a common greeting.
greeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Michael stopped beside him, saying good evening, the thrill of his voice conveying his own joy in the meeting in addition to a common greeting.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was convinced that Starr was still away from home, for he had seen no lights now for several weeks in the room that he knew was her own, but there was always the chance that she might have returned.
halting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was nearing the house when he saw from the opposite direction a man turn the corner and with halting gait come slowly toward the house and pause before the steps uncertainly.
hasten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something familiar in the man’s attitude caused Michael to hasten his steps, and coming closer he found that it was Mr. Endicott himself, and that he stood looking up the steps of his home as though they had been a difficult hill which he must climb.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He was convinced that Starr was still away from home, for he had seen no lights now for several weeks in the room that he knew was her own, but there was always the chance that she might have returned.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was convinced that Starr was still away from home, for he had seen no lights now for several weeks in the room that he knew was her own, but there was always the chance that she might have returned.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He was convinced that Starr was still away from home, for he had seen no lights now for several weeks in the room that he knew was her own, but there was always the chance that she might have returned.
hill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something familiar in the man’s attitude caused Michael to hasten his steps, and coming closer he found that it was Mr. Endicott himself, and that he stood looking up the steps of his home as though they had been a difficult hill which he must climb.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Michael stopped beside him, saying good evening, the thrill of his voice conveying his own joy in the meeting in addition to a common greeting.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Something familiar in the man’s attitude caused Michael to hasten his steps, and coming closer he found that it was Mr. Endicott himself, and that he stood looking up the steps of his home as though they had been a difficult hill which he must climb.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Late in January Michael was taking his nightly walk homeward by way of the Endicott home.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Late in January Michael was taking his nightly walk homeward by way of the Endicott home.
homeward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Late in January Michael was taking his nightly walk homeward by way of the Endicott home.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was nearing the house when he saw from the opposite direction a man turn the corner and with halting gait come slowly toward the house and pause before the steps uncertainly.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Late in January Michael was taking his nightly walk homeward by way of the Endicott home.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Something familiar in the man’s attitude caused Michael to hasten his steps, and coming closer he found that it was Mr. Endicott himself, and that he stood looking up the steps of his home as though they had been a difficult hill which he must climb.
January
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Late in January Michael was taking his nightly walk homeward by way of the Endicott home.
joy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Michael stopped beside him, saying good evening, the thrill of his voice conveying his own joy in the meeting in addition to a common greeting.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was convinced that Starr was still away from home, for he had seen no lights now for several weeks in the room that he knew was her own, but there was always the chance that she might have returned.
Late
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Late in January Michael was taking his nightly walk homeward by way of the Endicott home.
lights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was convinced that Starr was still away from home, for he had seen no lights now for several weeks in the room that he knew was her own, but there was always the chance that she might have returned.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something familiar in the man’s attitude caused Michael to hasten his steps, and coming closer he found that it was Mr. Endicott himself, and that he stood looking up the steps of his home as though they had been a difficult hill which he must climb.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was nearing the house when he saw from the opposite direction a man turn the corner and with halting gait come slowly toward the house and pause before the steps uncertainly.
man's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something familiar in the man’s attitude caused Michael to hasten his steps, and coming closer he found that it was Mr. Endicott himself, and that he stood looking up the steps of his home as though they had been a difficult hill which he must climb.
meeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Michael stopped beside him, saying good evening, the thrill of his voice conveying his own joy in the meeting in addition to a common greeting.
Michael
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Late in January Michael was taking his nightly walk homeward by way of the Endicott home.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He was convinced that Starr was still away from home, for he had seen no lights now for several weeks in the room that he knew was her own, but there was always the chance that she might have returned.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something familiar in the man’s attitude caused Michael to hasten his steps, and coming closer he found that it was Mr. Endicott himself, and that he stood looking up the steps of his home as though they had been a difficult hill which he must climb.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Something familiar in the man’s attitude caused Michael to hasten his steps, and coming closer he found that it was Mr. Endicott himself, and that he stood looking up the steps of his home as though they had been a difficult hill which he must climb.
nearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was nearing the house when he saw from the opposite direction a man turn the corner and with halting gait come slowly toward the house and pause before the steps uncertainly.
nightly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Late in January Michael was taking his nightly walk homeward by way of the Endicott home.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading He was convinced that Starr was still away from home, for he had seen no lights now for several weeks in the room that he knew was her own, but there was always the chance that she might have returned.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was convinced that Starr was still away from home, for he had seen no lights now for several weeks in the room that he knew was her own, but there was always the chance that she might have returned.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Late in January Michael was taking his nightly walk homeward by way of the Endicott home.
opposite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was nearing the house when he saw from the opposite direction a man turn the corner and with halting gait come slowly toward the house and pause before the steps uncertainly.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was convinced that Starr was still away from home, for he had seen no lights now for several weeks in the room that he knew was her own, but there was always the chance that she might have returned.
pause
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was nearing the house when he saw from the opposite direction a man turn the corner and with halting gait come slowly toward the house and pause before the steps uncertainly.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He was convinced that Starr was still away from home, for he had seen no lights now for several weeks in the room that he knew was her own, but there was always the chance that she might have returned.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was convinced that Starr was still away from home, for he had seen no lights now for several weeks in the room that he knew was her own, but there was always the chance that she might have returned.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was nearing the house when he saw from the opposite direction a man turn the corner and with halting gait come slowly toward the house and pause before the steps uncertainly.
saying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Michael stopped beside him, saying good evening, the thrill of his voice conveying his own joy in the meeting in addition to a common greeting.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was convinced that Starr was still away from home, for he had seen no lights now for several weeks in the room that he knew was her own, but there was always the chance that she might have returned.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was convinced that Starr was still away from home, for he had seen no lights now for several weeks in the room that he knew was her own, but there was always the chance that she might have returned.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was convinced that Starr was still away from home, for he had seen no lights now for several weeks in the room that he knew was her own, but there was always the chance that she might have returned.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was nearing the house when he saw from the opposite direction a man turn the corner and with halting gait come slowly toward the house and pause before the steps uncertainly.
SomethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Something familiar in the man’s attitude caused Michael to hasten his steps, and coming closer he found that it was Mr. Endicott himself, and that he stood looking up the steps of his home as though they had been a difficult hill which he must climb.
Starr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was convinced that Starr was still away from home, for he had seen no lights now for several weeks in the room that he knew was her own, but there was always the chance that she might have returned.
steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was nearing the house when he saw from the opposite direction a man turn the corner and with halting gait come slowly toward the house and pause before the steps uncertainly.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was convinced that Starr was still away from home, for he had seen no lights now for several weeks in the room that he knew was her own, but there was always the chance that she might have returned.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Something familiar in the man’s attitude caused Michael to hasten his steps, and coming closer he found that it was Mr. Endicott himself, and that he stood looking up the steps of his home as though they had been a difficult hill which he must climb.
stoppednounUS /stopped/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Michael stopped beside him, saying good evening, the thrill of his voice conveying his own joy in the meeting in addition to a common greeting.
taking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Late in January Michael was taking his nightly walk homeward by way of the Endicott home.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was convinced that Starr was still away from home, for he had seen no lights now for several weeks in the room that he knew was her own, but there was always the chance that she might have returned.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Late in January Michael was taking his nightly walk homeward by way of the Endicott home.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was convinced that Starr was still away from home, for he had seen no lights now for several weeks in the room that he knew was her own, but there was always the chance that she might have returned.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Something familiar in the man’s attitude caused Michael to hasten his steps, and coming closer he found that it was Mr. Endicott himself, and that he stood looking up the steps of his home as though they had been a difficult hill which he must climb.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Something familiar in the man’s attitude caused Michael to hasten his steps, and coming closer he found that it was Mr. Endicott himself, and that he stood looking up the steps of his home as though they had been a difficult hill which he must climb.
thrill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Michael stopped beside him, saying good evening, the thrill of his voice conveying his own joy in the meeting in addition to a common greeting.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Something familiar in the man’s attitude caused Michael to hasten his steps, and coming closer he found that it was Mr. Endicott himself, and that he stood looking up the steps of his home as though they had been a difficult hill which he must climb.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading He was nearing the house when he saw from the opposite direction a man turn the corner and with halting gait come slowly toward the house and pause before the steps uncertainly.
turn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was nearing the house when he saw from the opposite direction a man turn the corner and with halting gait come slowly toward the house and pause before the steps uncertainly.
uncertainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was nearing the house when he saw from the opposite direction a man turn the corner and with halting gait come slowly toward the house and pause before the steps uncertainly.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something familiar in the man’s attitude caused Michael to hasten his steps, and coming closer he found that it was Mr. Endicott himself, and that he stood looking up the steps of his home as though they had been a difficult hill which he must climb.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Michael stopped beside him, saying good evening, the thrill of his voice conveying his own joy in the meeting in addition to a common greeting.
walk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Late in January Michael was taking his nightly walk homeward by way of the Endicott home.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Late in January Michael was taking his nightly walk homeward by way of the Endicott home.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Late in January Michael was taking his nightly walk homeward by way of the Endicott home.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was convinced that Starr was still away from home, for he had seen no lights now for several weeks in the room that he knew was her own, but there was always the chance that she might have returned.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading He was nearing the house when he saw from the opposite direction a man turn the corner and with halting gait come slowly toward the house and pause before the steps uncertainly.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Something familiar in the man’s attitude caused Michael to hasten his steps, and coming closer he found that it was Mr. Endicott himself, and that he stood looking up the steps of his home as though they had been a difficult hill which he must climb.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was nearing the house when he saw from the opposite direction a man turn the corner and with halting gait come slowly toward the house and pause before the steps uncertainly.
