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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 A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
arm-chairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
Aunt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
bag
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.
bedroom
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From this reading If only her cap had been in it, why of course she would have left it in mother's bedroom.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading If only her cap had been in it, why of course she would have left it in mother's bedroom.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
black
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From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But here it was in her lap, with her two hands folded tight over it, as if it contained something precious!
cap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
children
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.
contained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But here it was in her lap, with her two hands folded tight over it, as if it contained something precious!
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If only her cap had been in it, why of course she would have left it in mother's bedroom.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
Emma
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.
folded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But here it was in her lap, with her two hands folded tight over it, as if it contained something precious!
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.
GAME
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
gray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
hadn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading But here it was in her lap, with her two hands folded tight over it, as if it contained something precious!
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If only her cap had been in it, why of course she would have left it in mother's bedroom.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But here it was in her lap, with her two hands folded tight over it, as if it contained something precious!
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How very puzzling and interesting!
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
interesting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
lap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But here it was in her lap, with her two hands folded tight over it, as if it contained something precious!
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If only her cap had been in it, why of course she would have left it in mother's bedroom.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
mother's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If only her cap had been in it, why of course she would have left it in mother's bedroom.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If only her cap had been in it, why of course she would have left it in mother's bedroom.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading But here it was in her lap, with her two hands folded tight over it, as if it contained something precious!
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.
preciousadjectiveUS /ˈpreʃəs/
rare and worth a great deal
From this reading But here it was in her lap, with her two hands folded tight over it, as if it contained something precious!
puzzling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How very puzzling and interesting!
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.
rain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
safely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
settled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If only her cap had been in it, why of course she would have left it in mother's bedroom.
sky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.
STORY-TELLING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.
tight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But here it was in her lap, with her two hands folded tight over it, as if it contained something precious!
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But here it was in her lap, with her two hands folded tight over it, as if it contained something precious!
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How very puzzling and interesting!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If only her cap had been in it, why of course she would have left it in mother's bedroom.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If only her cap had been in it, why of course she would have left it in mother's bedroom.