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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 She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
acquainted
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From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Yet she herself was occasionally an object of interested regard.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Marian was at work as usual in the Reading-room.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Marian was at work as usual in the Reading-room.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
best
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From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
chief
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From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
construction
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From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
convert
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From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
day
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From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
deal
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From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
depended
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From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
desk
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From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
diseased
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From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
exertions
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From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
eyes
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From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
facts
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From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
father
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From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
girl's
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From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
go
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From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
hours
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From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
human
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From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Marian was at work as usual in the Reading-room.
incapable
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From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
interested
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From this reading Yet she herself was occasionally an object of interested regard.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
invented
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From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
knew
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From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
less
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From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
limits
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From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
literary
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From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
machine
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From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
Marian
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From this reading Marian was at work as usual in the Reading-room.
material
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From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
moreoveradverbUS /mɔːˈroʊvər/
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
now
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From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
object
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From this reading Yet she herself was occasionally an object of interested regard.
occasion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
occasionally
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From this reading Yet she herself was occasionally an object of interested regard.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
operator
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
position
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From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
readers
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From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
Reading-room
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From this reading Marian was at work as usual in the Reading-room.
ready
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From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
reference
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From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
regard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet she herself was occasionally an object of interested regard.
rise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
seldom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
sensitive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
Several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
shelvesnounUS /ʃelvz/
Plural of shelf; the vast wooden or stone structures holding archives.
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
some
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From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
spent
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From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
strayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
surmised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Marian was at work as usual in the Reading-room.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
tissue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marian was at work as usual in the Reading-room.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Marian was at work as usual in the Reading-room.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marian was at work as usual in the Reading-room.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
YetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet she herself was occasionally an object of interested regard.
