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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 post-office was full of them, and when the captain walked in with Allison at his heels they greeted him boisterously, and asked more questions in a minute than he could answer in ten.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading First and foremost they wanted to know why Beardsley had come home so unexpectedly, but that was a matter he did not care to say much about.
aided
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From this reading The streets of Nashville were almost deserted, for the cold wind, aided by the driving rain that was falling steadily, had forced all the idlers to seek comfort within doors.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets of Nashville were almost deserted, for the cold wind, aided by the driving rain that was falling steadily, had forced all the idlers to seek comfort within doors.
Allison
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From this reading The post-office was full of them, and when the captain walked in with Allison at his heels they greeted him boisterously, and asked more questions in a minute than he could answer in ten.
almost
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From this reading The streets of Nashville were almost deserted, for the cold wind, aided by the driving rain that was falling steadily, had forced all the idlers to seek comfort within doors.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The post-office was full of them, and when the captain walked in with Allison at his heels they greeted him boisterously, and asked more questions in a minute than he could answer in ten.
answer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The post-office was full of them, and when the captain walked in with Allison at his heels they greeted him boisterously, and asked more questions in a minute than he could answer in ten.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The post-office was full of them, and when the captain walked in with Allison at his heels they greeted him boisterously, and asked more questions in a minute than he could answer in ten.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The post-office was full of them, and when the captain walked in with Allison at his heels they greeted him boisterously, and asked more questions in a minute than he could answer in ten.
attend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All they could get from him was that he had some important business to attend to.
Beardsley
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From this reading First and foremost they wanted to know why Beardsley had come home so unexpectedly, but that was a matter he did not care to say much about.
boisterously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The post-office was full of them, and when the captain walked in with Allison at his heels they greeted him boisterously, and asked more questions in a minute than he could answer in ten.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All they could get from him was that he had some important business to attend to.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading First and foremost they wanted to know why Beardsley had come home so unexpectedly, but that was a matter he did not care to say much about.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The streets of Nashville were almost deserted, for the cold wind, aided by the driving rain that was falling steadily, had forced all the idlers to seek comfort within doors.
captainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The post-office was full of them, and when the captain walked in with Allison at his heels they greeted him boisterously, and asked more questions in a minute than he could answer in ten.
care
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First and foremost they wanted to know why Beardsley had come home so unexpectedly, but that was a matter he did not care to say much about.
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets of Nashville were almost deserted, for the cold wind, aided by the driving rain that was falling steadily, had forced all the idlers to seek comfort within doors.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading First and foremost they wanted to know why Beardsley had come home so unexpectedly, but that was a matter he did not care to say much about.
comfort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets of Nashville were almost deserted, for the cold wind, aided by the driving rain that was falling steadily, had forced all the idlers to seek comfort within doors.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The post-office was full of them, and when the captain walked in with Allison at his heels they greeted him boisterously, and asked more questions in a minute than he could answer in ten.
desertedverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/
left a place or vessel without intending to return
From this reading The streets of Nashville were almost deserted, for the cold wind, aided by the driving rain that was falling steadily, had forced all the idlers to seek comfort within doors.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading First and foremost they wanted to know why Beardsley had come home so unexpectedly, but that was a matter he did not care to say much about.
doors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets of Nashville were almost deserted, for the cold wind, aided by the driving rain that was falling steadily, had forced all the idlers to seek comfort within doors.
driving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets of Nashville were almost deserted, for the cold wind, aided by the driving rain that was falling steadily, had forced all the idlers to seek comfort within doors.
falling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets of Nashville were almost deserted, for the cold wind, aided by the driving rain that was falling steadily, had forced all the idlers to seek comfort within doors.
FirstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading First and foremost they wanted to know why Beardsley had come home so unexpectedly, but that was a matter he did not care to say much about.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The streets of Nashville were almost deserted, for the cold wind, aided by the driving rain that was falling steadily, had forced all the idlers to seek comfort within doors.
forced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets of Nashville were almost deserted, for the cold wind, aided by the driving rain that was falling steadily, had forced all the idlers to seek comfort within doors.
foremostnounUS /ˈforemost/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading First and foremost they wanted to know why Beardsley had come home so unexpectedly, but that was a matter he did not care to say much about.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading All they could get from him was that he had some important business to attend to.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The post-office was full of them, and when the captain walked in with Allison at his heels they greeted him boisterously, and asked more questions in a minute than he could answer in ten.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All they could get from him was that he had some important business to attend to.
GOSSIP
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From this reading THE NEIGHBORHOOD GOSSIP.
greeted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The post-office was full of them, and when the captain walked in with Allison at his heels they greeted him boisterously, and asked more questions in a minute than he could answer in ten.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The streets of Nashville were almost deserted, for the cold wind, aided by the driving rain that was falling steadily, had forced all the idlers to seek comfort within doors.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The post-office was full of them, and when the captain walked in with Allison at his heels they greeted him boisterously, and asked more questions in a minute than he could answer in ten.
heels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The post-office was full of them, and when the captain walked in with Allison at his heels they greeted him boisterously, and asked more questions in a minute than he could answer in ten.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The post-office was full of them, and when the captain walked in with Allison at his heels they greeted him boisterously, and asked more questions in a minute than he could answer in ten.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The post-office was full of them, and when the captain walked in with Allison at his heels they greeted him boisterously, and asked more questions in a minute than he could answer in ten.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First and foremost they wanted to know why Beardsley had come home so unexpectedly, but that was a matter he did not care to say much about.
idlers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets of Nashville were almost deserted, for the cold wind, aided by the driving rain that was falling steadily, had forced all the idlers to seek comfort within doors.
important
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All they could get from him was that he had some important business to attend to.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The post-office was full of them, and when the captain walked in with Allison at his heels they greeted him boisterously, and asked more questions in a minute than he could answer in ten.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading First and foremost they wanted to know why Beardsley had come home so unexpectedly, but that was a matter he did not care to say much about.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First and foremost they wanted to know why Beardsley had come home so unexpectedly, but that was a matter he did not care to say much about.
minute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The post-office was full of them, and when the captain walked in with Allison at his heels they greeted him boisterously, and asked more questions in a minute than he could answer in ten.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The post-office was full of them, and when the captain walked in with Allison at his heels they greeted him boisterously, and asked more questions in a minute than he could answer in ten.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First and foremost they wanted to know why Beardsley had come home so unexpectedly, but that was a matter he did not care to say much about.
Nashville
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets of Nashville were almost deserted, for the cold wind, aided by the driving rain that was falling steadily, had forced all the idlers to seek comfort within doors.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEIGHBORHOOD GOSSIP.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading First and foremost they wanted to know why Beardsley had come home so unexpectedly, but that was a matter he did not care to say much about.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The streets of Nashville were almost deserted, for the cold wind, aided by the driving rain that was falling steadily, had forced all the idlers to seek comfort within doors.
post-office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The post-office was full of them, and when the captain walked in with Allison at his heels they greeted him boisterously, and asked more questions in a minute than he could answer in ten.
questions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The post-office was full of them, and when the captain walked in with Allison at his heels they greeted him boisterously, and asked more questions in a minute than he could answer in ten.
rain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets of Nashville were almost deserted, for the cold wind, aided by the driving rain that was falling steadily, had forced all the idlers to seek comfort within doors.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First and foremost they wanted to know why Beardsley had come home so unexpectedly, but that was a matter he did not care to say much about.
seek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets of Nashville were almost deserted, for the cold wind, aided by the driving rain that was falling steadily, had forced all the idlers to seek comfort within doors.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading First and foremost they wanted to know why Beardsley had come home so unexpectedly, but that was a matter he did not care to say much about.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All they could get from him was that he had some important business to attend to.
steadily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets of Nashville were almost deserted, for the cold wind, aided by the driving rain that was falling steadily, had forced all the idlers to seek comfort within doors.
streets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets of Nashville were almost deserted, for the cold wind, aided by the driving rain that was falling steadily, had forced all the idlers to seek comfort within doors.
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The post-office was full of them, and when the captain walked in with Allison at his heels they greeted him boisterously, and asked more questions in a minute than he could answer in ten.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The post-office was full of them, and when the captain walked in with Allison at his heels they greeted him boisterously, and asked more questions in a minute than he could answer in ten.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The streets of Nashville were almost deserted, for the cold wind, aided by the driving rain that was falling steadily, had forced all the idlers to seek comfort within doors.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE NEIGHBORHOOD GOSSIP.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The post-office was full of them, and when the captain walked in with Allison at his heels they greeted him boisterously, and asked more questions in a minute than he could answer in ten.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The post-office was full of them, and when the captain walked in with Allison at his heels they greeted him boisterously, and asked more questions in a minute than he could answer in ten.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The streets of Nashville were almost deserted, for the cold wind, aided by the driving rain that was falling steadily, had forced all the idlers to seek comfort within doors.
unexpectedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First and foremost they wanted to know why Beardsley had come home so unexpectedly, but that was a matter he did not care to say much about.
walked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The post-office was full of them, and when the captain walked in with Allison at his heels they greeted him boisterously, and asked more questions in a minute than he could answer in ten.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First and foremost they wanted to know why Beardsley had come home so unexpectedly, but that was a matter he did not care to say much about.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The streets of Nashville were almost deserted, for the cold wind, aided by the driving rain that was falling steadily, had forced all the idlers to seek comfort within doors.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The streets of Nashville were almost deserted, for the cold wind, aided by the driving rain that was falling steadily, had forced all the idlers to seek comfort within doors.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The post-office was full of them, and when the captain walked in with Allison at his heels they greeted him boisterously, and asked more questions in a minute than he could answer in ten.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First and foremost they wanted to know why Beardsley had come home so unexpectedly, but that was a matter he did not care to say much about.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The streets of Nashville were almost deserted, for the cold wind, aided by the driving rain that was falling steadily, had forced all the idlers to seek comfort within doors.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The post-office was full of them, and when the captain walked in with Allison at his heels they greeted him boisterously, and asked more questions in a minute than he could answer in ten.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading The streets of Nashville were almost deserted, for the cold wind, aided by the driving rain that was falling steadily, had forced all the idlers to seek comfort within doors.
