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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 I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading ‘Late in the evening I entered his study, after traversing an imposing but empty dining-room very dimly lit.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading ‘Late in the evening I entered his study, after traversing an imposing but empty dining-room very dimly lit.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
aside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading ‘Late in the evening I entered his study, after traversing an imposing but empty dining-room very dimly lit.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
chair
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From this reading Stein turned round with the chair, and in the same movement his spectacles seemed to get pushed up on his forehead.
dimly
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From this reading ‘Late in the evening I entered his study, after traversing an imposing but empty dining-room very dimly lit.
dining-room
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From this reading ‘Late in the evening I entered his study, after traversing an imposing but empty dining-room very dimly lit.
door
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From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
elderly
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From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
embodied
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From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
empty
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From this reading ‘Late in the evening I entered his study, after traversing an imposing but empty dining-room very dimly lit.
entered
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From this reading ‘Late in the evening I entered his study, after traversing an imposing but empty dining-room very dimly lit.
evening
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From this reading ‘Late in the evening I entered his study, after traversing an imposing but empty dining-room very dimly lit.
exclaimed
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From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
forehead
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From this reading Stein turned round with the chair, and in the same movement his spectacles seemed to get pushed up on his forehead.
get
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From this reading Stein turned round with the chair, and in the same movement his spectacles seemed to get pushed up on his forehead.
ghost
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From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
grim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading ‘Late in the evening I entered his study, after traversing an imposing but empty dining-room very dimly lit.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was silent.
humorous
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From this reading He welcomed me in his quiet and humorous voice.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading ‘Late in the evening I entered his study, after traversing an imposing but empty dining-room very dimly lit.
imposing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Late in the evening I entered his study, after traversing an imposing but empty dining-room very dimly lit.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ‘Late in the evening I entered his study, after traversing an imposing but empty dining-room very dimly lit.
jacket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
Javanese
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From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
Late
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From this reading ‘Late in the evening I entered his study, after traversing an imposing but empty dining-room very dimly lit.
lit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Late in the evening I entered his study, after traversing an imposing but empty dining-room very dimly lit.
livery
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From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
low
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
master
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He welcomed me in his quiet and humorous voice.
momentarily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
movement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stein turned round with the chair, and in the same movement his spectacles seemed to get pushed up on his forehead.
mysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/
difficult to explain or understand
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
O
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Stein turned round with the chair, and in the same movement his spectacles seemed to get pushed up on his forehead.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
particular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
preceded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
pushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stein turned round with the chair, and in the same movement his spectacles seemed to get pushed up on his forehead.
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He welcomed me in his quiet and humorous voice.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stein turned round with the chair, and in the same movement his spectacles seemed to get pushed up on his forehead.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Stein turned round with the chair, and in the same movement his spectacles seemed to get pushed up on his forehead.
sarong
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From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Stein turned round with the chair, and in the same movement his spectacles seemed to get pushed up on his forehead.
servant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
service
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was silent.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
spectacles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stein turned round with the chair, and in the same movement his spectacles seemed to get pushed up on his forehead.
Stein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stein turned round with the chair, and in the same movement his spectacles seemed to get pushed up on his forehead.
stepping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
study
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Late in the evening I entered his study, after traversing an imposing but empty dining-room very dimly lit.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ‘Late in the evening I entered his study, after traversing an imposing but empty dining-room very dimly lit.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
throwing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Stein turned round with the chair, and in the same movement his spectacles seemed to get pushed up on his forehead.
traversing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Late in the evening I entered his study, after traversing an imposing but empty dining-room very dimly lit.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stein turned round with the chair, and in the same movement his spectacles seemed to get pushed up on his forehead.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stein turned round with the chair, and in the same movement his spectacles seemed to get pushed up on his forehead.
vanished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Late in the evening I entered his study, after traversing an imposing but empty dining-room very dimly lit.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He welcomed me in his quiet and humorous voice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The house was silent.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
welcomed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He welcomed me in his quiet and humorous voice.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Stein turned round with the chair, and in the same movement his spectacles seemed to get pushed up on his forehead.
yellow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was preceded by an elderly grim Javanese servant in a sort of livery of white jacket and yellow sarong, who, after throwing the door open, exclaimed low, “O master!” and stepping aside, vanished in a mysterious way as though he had been a ghost only momentarily embodied for that particular service.
