adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading One close thundery morning about a week later, Michael was sitting at his piano in his shirtsleeves, busy practising.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading One close thundery morning about a week later, Michael was sitting at his piano in his shirtsleeves, busy practising.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Then it suddenly flashed across him that it might be Sylvia who wanted to speak to him, or that there might be news about his mother, and his fingers leaped from the piano in the middle of a bar, and he ran and slid across the parquet floor.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then it suddenly flashed across him that it might be Sylvia who wanted to speak to him, or that there might be news about his mother, and his fingers leaped from the piano in the middle of a bar, and he ran and slid across the parquet floor.
anybodypronounUS /ˈenibədi/
any person at all
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But Hermann, it appeared, wanted to see him urgently, and, if he was in (which he was) would be with him in ten minutes.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading One close thundery morning about a week later, Michael was sitting at his piano in his shirtsleeves, busy practising.
attendverbUS /əˈtend/
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
awareadjectiveUS /əˈwer/
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
BachnounUS /bɑːk/
German baroque organist and contrapuntist; composed mostly keyboard music; one of the greatest creators of western music (1685-1750)
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
barnounUS /bɑːr/
a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
From this reading Then it suddenly flashed across him that it might be Sylvia who wanted to speak to him, or that there might be news about his mother, and his fingers leaped from the piano in the middle of a bar, and he ran and slid across the parquet floor.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
busyadjectiveUS /ˈbɪzi/
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading One close thundery morning about a week later, Michael was sitting at his piano in his shirtsleeves, busy practising.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
callingnounUS /ˈkɔːlɪŋ/
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
casenounUS /keɪs/
an occurrence of something
From this reading But it was neither of these, and compared to them it was a case of “only” Hermann who wanted to see him.
closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading One close thundery morning about a week later, Michael was sitting at his piano in his shirtsleeves, busy practising.
comparedverbUS /kəmˈperd/
past form of “compare” — examine and note the similarities or differences of
From this reading But it was neither of these, and compared to them it was a case of “only” Hermann who wanted to see him.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
endnounUS /end/
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
fingersnounUS /ˈfɪŋɡərz/
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Then it suddenly flashed across him that it might be Sylvia who wanted to speak to him, or that there might be news about his mother, and his fingers leaped from the piano in the middle of a bar, and he ran and slid across the parquet floor.
finishverbUS /ˈfɪnɪʃ/
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
flashedverbUS /flæʃt/
past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading Then it suddenly flashed across him that it might be Sylvia who wanted to speak to him, or that there might be news about his mother, and his fingers leaped from the piano in the middle of a bar, and he ran and slid across the parquet floor.
floornounUS /flɔːr/
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Then it suddenly flashed across him that it might be Sylvia who wanted to speak to him, or that there might be news about his mother, and his fingers leaped from the piano in the middle of a bar, and he ran and slid across the parquet floor.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Then it suddenly flashed across him that it might be Sylvia who wanted to speak to him, or that there might be news about his mother, and his fingers leaped from the piano in the middle of a bar, and he ran and slid across the parquet floor.
fuguesnounUS /fjuːɡz/
plural of “fugue” — dissociative disorder in which a person forgets who they are and leaves home to create a new life; during the fugue there is no memory of the former life; after recovering there is no memory for events during the dissociative state
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
greateradjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtər/
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
HermannnounUS /ˈhɜːrmən/
German hero; leader at the battle of Teutoburger Wald in AD 9 (circa 18 BC - AD 19)
From this reading But it was neither of these, and compared to them it was a case of “only” Hermann who wanted to see him.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading One close thundery morning about a week later, Michael was sitting at his piano in his shirtsleeves, busy practising.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But Hermann, it appeared, wanted to see him urgently, and, if he was in (which he was) would be with him in ten minutes.
importancenounUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtəns/
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One close thundery morning about a week later, Michael was sitting at his piano in his shirtsleeves, busy practising.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading One close thundery morning about a week later, Michael was sitting at his piano in his shirtsleeves, busy practising.
leapedverbUS /lept/
past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading Then it suddenly flashed across him that it might be Sylvia who wanted to speak to him, or that there might be news about his mother, and his fingers leaped from the piano in the middle of a bar, and he ran and slid across the parquet floor.
MichaelnounUS /ˈmaɪkəl/
(Old Testament) the guardian archangel of the Jews
From this reading One close thundery morning about a week later, Michael was sitting at his piano in his shirtsleeves, busy practising.
middlenounUS /ˈmɪdəl/
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading Then it suddenly flashed across him that it might be Sylvia who wanted to speak to him, or that there might be news about his mother, and his fingers leaped from the piano in the middle of a bar, and he ran and slid across the parquet floor.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
minutenounUS /ˈmɪnət/
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
minutesnounUS /ˈmɪnəts/
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading But Hermann, it appeared, wanted to see him urgently, and, if he was in (which he was) would be with him in ten minutes.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading One close thundery morning about a week later, Michael was sitting at his piano in his shirtsleeves, busy practising.
mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Then it suddenly flashed across him that it might be Sylvia who wanted to speak to him, or that there might be news about his mother, and his fingers leaped from the piano in the middle of a bar, and he ran and slid across the parquet floor.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading But it was neither of these, and compared to them it was a case of “only” Hermann who wanted to see him.
newsnounUS /nuːz/
information about recent and important events
From this reading Then it suddenly flashed across him that it might be Sylvia who wanted to speak to him, or that there might be news about his mother, and his fingers leaped from the piano in the middle of a bar, and he ran and slid across the parquet floor.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One close thundery morning about a week later, Michael was sitting at his piano in his shirtsleeves, busy practising.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading But it was neither of these, and compared to them it was a case of “only” Hermann who wanted to see him.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Then it suddenly flashed across him that it might be Sylvia who wanted to speak to him, or that there might be news about his mother, and his fingers leaped from the piano in the middle of a bar, and he ran and slid across the parquet floor.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
pagenounUS /peɪdʒ/
one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
parquetnounUS /pɑːrˈkeɪ/
a floor made of parquetry
From this reading Then it suddenly flashed across him that it might be Sylvia who wanted to speak to him, or that there might be news about his mother, and his fingers leaped from the piano in the middle of a bar, and he ran and slid across the parquet floor.
pianonounUS /piˈænoʊ/
a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
From this reading One close thundery morning about a week later, Michael was sitting at his piano in his shirtsleeves, busy practising.
practising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One close thundery morning about a week later, Michael was sitting at his piano in his shirtsleeves, busy practising.
ranverbUS /ræn/
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Then it suddenly flashed across him that it might be Sylvia who wanted to speak to him, or that there might be news about his mother, and his fingers leaped from the piano in the middle of a bar, and he ran and slid across the parquet floor.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading But it was neither of these, and compared to them it was a case of “only” Hermann who wanted to see him.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
shirtsleevesnoun
not wearing a jacket
From this reading One close thundery morning about a week later, Michael was sitting at his piano in his shirtsleeves, busy practising.
sittingnounUS /ˈsɪtɪŋ/
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading One close thundery morning about a week later, Michael was sitting at his piano in his shirtsleeves, busy practising.
slidverbUS /slɪd/
inflected form of “slide” — move obliquely or sideways, usually in an uncontrolled manner
From this reading Then it suddenly flashed across him that it might be Sylvia who wanted to speak to him, or that there might be news about his mother, and his fingers leaped from the piano in the middle of a bar, and he ran and slid across the parquet floor.
speakverbUS /spiːk/
express in speech
From this reading Then it suddenly flashed across him that it might be Sylvia who wanted to speak to him, or that there might be news about his mother, and his fingers leaped from the piano in the middle of a bar, and he ran and slid across the parquet floor.
suddenlyadverbUS /ˈsʌdənli/
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Then it suddenly flashed across him that it might be Sylvia who wanted to speak to him, or that there might be news about his mother, and his fingers leaped from the piano in the middle of a bar, and he ran and slid across the parquet floor.
Sylvia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then it suddenly flashed across him that it might be Sylvia who wanted to speak to him, or that there might be news about his mother, and his fingers leaped from the piano in the middle of a bar, and he ran and slid across the parquet floor.
telephonenounUS /ˈteləfoʊn/
electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
tennounUS /ten/
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading But Hermann, it appeared, wanted to see him urgently, and, if he was in (which he was) would be with him in ten minutes.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But it was neither of these, and compared to them it was a case of “only” Hermann who wanted to see him.
ThenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then it suddenly flashed across him that it might be Sylvia who wanted to speak to him, or that there might be news about his mother, and his fingers leaped from the piano in the middle of a bar, and he ran and slid across the parquet floor.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Then it suddenly flashed across him that it might be Sylvia who wanted to speak to him, or that there might be news about his mother, and his fingers leaped from the piano in the middle of a bar, and he ran and slid across the parquet floor.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But it was neither of these, and compared to them it was a case of “only” Hermann who wanted to see him.
thunderyadjective
loud enough to cause (temporary) hearing loss
From this reading One close thundery morning about a week later, Michael was sitting at his piano in his shirtsleeves, busy practising.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
urgentlyadverbUS /ˈɜːrdʒəntli/
with great urgency
From this reading But Hermann, it appeared, wanted to see him urgently, and, if he was in (which he was) would be with him in ten minutes.
wantedadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːntɪd/
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading Then it suddenly flashed across him that it might be Sylvia who wanted to speak to him, or that there might be news about his mother, and his fingers leaped from the piano in the middle of a bar, and he ran and slid across the parquet floor.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One close thundery morning about a week later, Michael was sitting at his piano in his shirtsleeves, busy practising.
weeknounUS /wiːk/
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading One close thundery morning about a week later, Michael was sitting at his piano in his shirtsleeves, busy practising.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He was aware that at the other end of the room the telephone was calling for him, but it seemed to be of far greater importance at the minute to finish the last page of one of the Bach fugues, than to attend to what anybody else might have to say to him.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But Hermann, it appeared, wanted to see him urgently, and, if he was in (which he was) would be with him in ten minutes.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Then it suddenly flashed across him that it might be Sylvia who wanted to speak to him, or that there might be news about his mother, and his fingers leaped from the piano in the middle of a bar, and he ran and slid across the parquet floor.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading But Hermann, it appeared, wanted to see him urgently, and, if he was in (which he was) would be with him in ten minutes.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But Hermann, it appeared, wanted to see him urgently, and, if he was in (which he was) would be with him in ten minutes.
