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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 Both father and mother were intent on giving the child 'a good time,' and Stephen at least could throw himself into a game with just as much zest as into a dispute or a speculation.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading As they had preceded the Faith, so the old observances survived all doubts about it.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
Alice
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From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
all
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From this reading As they had preceded the Faith, so the old observances survived all doubts about it.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
argumentnounUS /ˈɑːrɡjəmənt/
a reason or example used to support an idea
From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
array
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From this reading Here, too, were holly and mistletoe; and, if not a snapdragon, yet a Christmas tree and a fine array of presents, carefully hidden till the morrow.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
ATprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading CHRISTMAS AT SHAYLOR'S PATCH On Christmas Eve Winnie had regained her old haven at Shaylor's Patch.
BothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading Both father and mother were intent on giving the child 'a good time,' and Stephen at least could throw himself into a game with just as much zest as into a dispute or a speculation.
carefully
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From this reading Here, too, were holly and mistletoe; and, if not a snapdragon, yet a Christmas tree and a fine array of presents, carefully hidden till the morrow.
child
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From this reading Both father and mother were intent on giving the child 'a good time,' and Stephen at least could throw himself into a game with just as much zest as into a dispute or a speculation.
CHRISTMAS
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From this reading CHRISTMAS AT SHAYLOR'S PATCH On Christmas Eve Winnie had regained her old haven at Shaylor's Patch.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Both father and mother were intent on giving the child 'a good time,' and Stephen at least could throw himself into a game with just as much zest as into a dispute or a speculation.
degree
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From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
Dennehy
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From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
dispute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both father and mother were intent on giving the child 'a good time,' and Stephen at least could throw himself into a game with just as much zest as into a dispute or a speculation.
doubts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As they had preceded the Faith, so the old observances survived all doubts about it.
Eve
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From this reading CHRISTMAS AT SHAYLOR'S PATCH On Christmas Eve Winnie had regained her old haven at Shaylor's Patch.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
exercised
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From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
Faith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As they had preceded the Faith, so the old observances survived all doubts about it.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both father and mother were intent on giving the child 'a good time,' and Stephen at least could throw himself into a game with just as much zest as into a dispute or a speculation.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here, too, were holly and mistletoe; and, if not a snapdragon, yet a Christmas tree and a fine array of presents, carefully hidden till the morrow.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
force
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
game
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both father and mother were intent on giving the child 'a good time,' and Stephen at least could throw himself into a game with just as much zest as into a dispute or a speculation.
giving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both father and mother were intent on giving the child 'a good time,' and Stephen at least could throw himself into a game with just as much zest as into a dispute or a speculation.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Both father and mother were intent on giving the child 'a good time,' and Stephen at least could throw himself into a game with just as much zest as into a dispute or a speculation.
guest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading CHRISTMAS AT SHAYLOR'S PATCH On Christmas Eve Winnie had regained her old haven at Shaylor's Patch.
haven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHRISTMAS AT SHAYLOR'S PATCH On Christmas Eve Winnie had regained her old haven at Shaylor's Patch.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading CHRISTMAS AT SHAYLOR'S PATCH On Christmas Eve Winnie had regained her old haven at Shaylor's Patch.
HerenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here, too, were holly and mistletoe; and, if not a snapdragon, yet a Christmas tree and a fine array of presents, carefully hidden till the morrow.
hidden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here, too, were holly and mistletoe; and, if not a snapdragon, yet a Christmas tree and a fine array of presents, carefully hidden till the morrow.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Both father and mother were intent on giving the child 'a good time,' and Stephen at least could throw himself into a game with just as much zest as into a dispute or a speculation.
holidays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
holly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here, too, were holly and mistletoe; and, if not a snapdragon, yet a Christmas tree and a fine array of presents, carefully hidden till the morrow.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Here, too, were holly and mistletoe; and, if not a snapdragon, yet a Christmas tree and a fine array of presents, carefully hidden till the morrow.
intent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both father and mother were intent on giving the child 'a good time,' and Stephen at least could throw himself into a game with just as much zest as into a dispute or a speculation.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Both father and mother were intent on giving the child 'a good time,' and Stephen at least could throw himself into a game with just as much zest as into a dispute or a speculation.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both father and mother were intent on giving the child 'a good time,' and Stephen at least could throw himself into a game with just as much zest as into a dispute or a speculation.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Both father and mother were intent on giving the child 'a good time,' and Stephen at least could throw himself into a game with just as much zest as into a dispute or a speculation.
mistletoe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here, too, were holly and mistletoe; and, if not a snapdragon, yet a Christmas tree and a fine array of presents, carefully hidden till the morrow.
morrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here, too, were holly and mistletoe; and, if not a snapdragon, yet a Christmas tree and a fine array of presents, carefully hidden till the morrow.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both father and mother were intent on giving the child 'a good time,' and Stephen at least could throw himself into a game with just as much zest as into a dispute or a speculation.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both father and mother were intent on giving the child 'a good time,' and Stephen at least could throw himself into a game with just as much zest as into a dispute or a speculation.
nayexclamationUS /neɪ/
an old word for “no”
From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Here, too, were holly and mistletoe; and, if not a snapdragon, yet a Christmas tree and a fine array of presents, carefully hidden till the morrow.
observances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As they had preceded the Faith, so the old observances survived all doubts about it.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Here, too, were holly and mistletoe; and, if not a snapdragon, yet a Christmas tree and a fine array of presents, carefully hidden till the morrow.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHRISTMAS AT SHAYLOR'S PATCH On Christmas Eve Winnie had regained her old haven at Shaylor's Patch.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading CHRISTMAS AT SHAYLOR'S PATCH On Christmas Eve Winnie had regained her old haven at Shaylor's Patch.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Both father and mother were intent on giving the child 'a good time,' and Stephen at least could throw himself into a game with just as much zest as into a dispute or a speculation.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
PATCH
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHRISTMAS AT SHAYLOR'S PATCH On Christmas Eve Winnie had regained her old haven at Shaylor's Patch.
peaceful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
preceded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As they had preceded the Faith, so the old observances survived all doubts about it.
presents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here, too, were holly and mistletoe; and, if not a snapdragon, yet a Christmas tree and a fine array of presents, carefully hidden till the morrow.
regained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHRISTMAS AT SHAYLOR'S PATCH On Christmas Eve Winnie had regained her old haven at Shaylor's Patch.
restful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
restraining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
sceptical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
SHAYLOR'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHRISTMAS AT SHAYLOR'S PATCH On Christmas Eve Winnie had regained her old haven at Shaylor's Patch.
snapdragon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here, too, were holly and mistletoe; and, if not a snapdragon, yet a Christmas tree and a fine array of presents, carefully hidden till the morrow.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As they had preceded the Faith, so the old observances survived all doubts about it.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
speculation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both father and mother were intent on giving the child 'a good time,' and Stephen at least could throw himself into a game with just as much zest as into a dispute or a speculation.
Stephen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both father and mother were intent on giving the child 'a good time,' and Stephen at least could throw himself into a game with just as much zest as into a dispute or a speculation.
survived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As they had preceded the Faith, so the old observances survived all doubts about it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As they had preceded the Faith, so the old observances survived all doubts about it.
throw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both father and mother were intent on giving the child 'a good time,' and Stephen at least could throw himself into a game with just as much zest as into a dispute or a speculation.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Here, too, were holly and mistletoe; and, if not a snapdragon, yet a Christmas tree and a fine array of presents, carefully hidden till the morrow.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Both father and mother were intent on giving the child 'a good time,' and Stephen at least could throw himself into a game with just as much zest as into a dispute or a speculation.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here, too, were holly and mistletoe; and, if not a snapdragon, yet a Christmas tree and a fine array of presents, carefully hidden till the morrow.
tree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here, too, were holly and mistletoe; and, if not a snapdragon, yet a Christmas tree and a fine array of presents, carefully hidden till the morrow.
unusual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It seemed as restful and peaceful as ever, nay, even to an unusual degree, for the only other guest was Dennehy, and Dennehy and Alice (again home for holidays) exercised some restraining force on sceptical argument.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Both father and mother were intent on giving the child 'a good time,' and Stephen at least could throw himself into a game with just as much zest as into a dispute or a speculation.
Winnie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHRISTMAS AT SHAYLOR'S PATCH On Christmas Eve Winnie had regained her old haven at Shaylor's Patch.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Both father and mother were intent on giving the child 'a good time,' and Stephen at least could throw himself into a game with just as much zest as into a dispute or a speculation.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Here, too, were holly and mistletoe; and, if not a snapdragon, yet a Christmas tree and a fine array of presents, carefully hidden till the morrow.
zest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both father and mother were intent on giving the child 'a good time,' and Stephen at least could throw himself into a game with just as much zest as into a dispute or a speculation.
