adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
acknowledgingverbUS /ækˈnɑːlɪdʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “acknowledge” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading Even the eager Harriet yielded to Jane on this point, acknowledging that it _would_ be mortifying, of course, if they _should_ talk, and nothing came of it.
affairsnounUS /əˈferz/
matters of personal concern
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The days immediately following the receipt of three remarkable letters by the Blaisdell family were nerve-racking for all concerned.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Even the eager Harriet yielded to Jane on this point, acknowledging that it _would_ be mortifying, of course, if they _should_ talk, and nothing came of it.
answersnounUS /ˈænsərz/
plural of “answer” — a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Held by Mrs. Jane’s insistence that they weren’t sure yet that the thing was true, the family steadfastly refused to give out any definite information.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Even the eager Harriet yielded to Jane on this point, acknowledging that it _would_ be mortifying, of course, if they _should_ talk, and nothing came of it.
becameverbUS /bɪˈkeɪm/
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
Blaisdell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The days immediately following the receipt of three remarkable letters by the Blaisdell family were nerve-racking for all concerned.
Blaisdells
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The days immediately following the receipt of three remarkable letters by the Blaisdell family were nerve-racking for all concerned.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Even the eager Harriet yielded to Jane on this point, acknowledging that it _would_ be mortifying, of course, if they _should_ talk, and nothing came of it.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
concernedadjectiveUS /kənˈsɜːrnd/
feeling or showing worry or solicitude
From this reading The days immediately following the receipt of three remarkable letters by the Blaisdell family were nerve-racking for all concerned.
coursenounUS /kɔːrs/
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Even the eager Harriet yielded to Jane on this point, acknowledging that it _would_ be mortifying, of course, if they _should_ talk, and nothing came of it.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The days immediately following the receipt of three remarkable letters by the Blaisdell family were nerve-racking for all concerned.
definiteadjectiveUS /ˈdefənət/
precise; explicit and clearly defined
From this reading Held by Mrs. Jane’s insistence that they weren’t sure yet that the thing was true, the family steadfastly refused to give out any definite information.
DOESauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading WHAT DOES IT MATTER?
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading Even the eager Harriet yielded to Jane on this point, acknowledging that it _would_ be mortifying, of course, if they _should_ talk, and nothing came of it.
enigmaticadjectiveUS /ˌenɪɡˈmætɪk/
not clear to the understanding
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
EvenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading Even the eager Harriet yielded to Jane on this point, acknowledging that it _would_ be mortifying, of course, if they _should_ talk, and nothing came of it.
excitingadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ/
creating or arousing excitement
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
expressiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspresɪv/
characterized by expression
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
familynounUS /ˈfæməli/
a social unit living together
From this reading The days immediately following the receipt of three remarkable letters by the Blaisdell family were nerve-racking for all concerned.
followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading The days immediately following the receipt of three remarkable letters by the Blaisdell family were nerve-racking for all concerned.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The days immediately following the receipt of three remarkable letters by the Blaisdell family were nerve-racking for all concerned.
giveverbUS /ɡɪv/
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Held by Mrs. Jane’s insistence that they weren’t sure yet that the thing was true, the family steadfastly refused to give out any definite information.
gossipnounUS /ˈɡɑːsəp/
light informal conversation for social occasions
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
Harriet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the eager Harriet yielded to Jane on this point, acknowledging that it _would_ be mortifying, of course, if they _should_ talk, and nothing came of it.
HeldadjectiveUS /held/
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Held by Mrs. Jane’s insistence that they weren’t sure yet that the thing was true, the family steadfastly refused to give out any definite information.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Even the eager Harriet yielded to Jane on this point, acknowledging that it _would_ be mortifying, of course, if they _should_ talk, and nothing came of it.
immediatelyadverbUS /ˌɪˈmiːdiːətli/
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading The days immediately following the receipt of three remarkable letters by the Blaisdell family were nerve-racking for all concerned.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
informationnounUS /ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən/
a message received and understood
From this reading Held by Mrs. Jane’s insistence that they weren’t sure yet that the thing was true, the family steadfastly refused to give out any definite information.
insistencenounUS /ˌɪnˈsɪstəns/
continual and persistent demands
From this reading Held by Mrs. Jane’s insistence that they weren’t sure yet that the thing was true, the family steadfastly refused to give out any definite information.
ITpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading WHAT DOES IT MATTER?
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the eager Harriet yielded to Jane on this point, acknowledging that it _would_ be mortifying, of course, if they _should_ talk, and nothing came of it.
Jane's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Held by Mrs. Jane’s insistence that they weren’t sure yet that the thing was true, the family steadfastly refused to give out any definite information.
lettersnounUS /ˈletərz/
the literary culture
From this reading The days immediately following the receipt of three remarkable letters by the Blaisdell family were nerve-racking for all concerned.
MATTERnounUS /ˈmætər/
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading WHAT DOES IT MATTER?
mortifyingadjective
causing to feel shame or chagrin or vexation
From this reading Even the eager Harriet yielded to Jane on this point, acknowledging that it _would_ be mortifying, of course, if they _should_ talk, and nothing came of it.
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Held by Mrs. Jane’s insistence that they weren’t sure yet that the thing was true, the family steadfastly refused to give out any definite information.
nerve-rackingadjectiveUS /ˌnɜːrˈvrækɪŋ/
extremely irritating to the nerves
From this reading The days immediately following the receipt of three remarkable letters by the Blaisdell family were nerve-racking for all concerned.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Even the eager Harriet yielded to Jane on this point, acknowledging that it _would_ be mortifying, of course, if they _should_ talk, and nothing came of it.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The days immediately following the receipt of three remarkable letters by the Blaisdell family were nerve-racking for all concerned.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Even the eager Harriet yielded to Jane on this point, acknowledging that it _would_ be mortifying, of course, if they _should_ talk, and nothing came of it.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Held by Mrs. Jane’s insistence that they weren’t sure yet that the thing was true, the family steadfastly refused to give out any definite information.
particularadjectiveUS /pərˈtɪkjələr/
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Even the eager Harriet yielded to Jane on this point, acknowledging that it _would_ be mortifying, of course, if they _should_ talk, and nothing came of it.
questionsnounUS /ˈkwestʃənz/
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
receiptnounUS /rɪˈsiːt/
the act of receiving
From this reading The days immediately following the receipt of three remarkable letters by the Blaisdell family were nerve-racking for all concerned.
refusedverbUS /rəˈfjuːzd/
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading Held by Mrs. Jane’s insistence that they weren’t sure yet that the thing was true, the family steadfastly refused to give out any definite information.
remarkableadjectiveUS /rɪˈmɑːrkəbəl/
unusual or striking
From this reading The days immediately following the receipt of three remarkable letters by the Blaisdell family were nerve-racking for all concerned.
rumorsnounUS /ˈruːmərz/
plural of “rumor” — gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Even the eager Harriet yielded to Jane on this point, acknowledging that it _would_ be mortifying, of course, if they _should_ talk, and nothing came of it.
shrugsnounUS /ʃrʌɡz/
plural of “shrug” — a gesture involving the shoulders
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
smilesnounUS /smaɪlz/
plural of “smile” — a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
statenounUS /steɪt/
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
steadfastlyadverbUS /ˈstedfæstli/
with resolute determination
From this reading Held by Mrs. Jane’s insistence that they weren’t sure yet that the thing was true, the family steadfastly refused to give out any definite information.
stormverbUS /stɔːrm/
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Held by Mrs. Jane’s insistence that they weren’t sure yet that the thing was true, the family steadfastly refused to give out any definite information.
surmisesnounUS /sərˈmaɪzɪz/
plural of “surmise” — a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
talkverbUS /tɔːk/
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Even the eager Harriet yielded to Jane on this point, acknowledging that it _would_ be mortifying, of course, if they _should_ talk, and nothing came of it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Held by Mrs. Jane’s insistence that they weren’t sure yet that the thing was true, the family steadfastly refused to give out any definite information.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The days immediately following the receipt of three remarkable letters by the Blaisdell family were nerve-racking for all concerned.
TheirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Held by Mrs. Jane’s insistence that they weren’t sure yet that the thing was true, the family steadfastly refused to give out any definite information.
thingnounUS /θɪŋ/
a special situation
From this reading Held by Mrs. Jane’s insistence that they weren’t sure yet that the thing was true, the family steadfastly refused to give out any definite information.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Even the eager Harriet yielded to Jane on this point, acknowledging that it _would_ be mortifying, of course, if they _should_ talk, and nothing came of it.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The days immediately following the receipt of three remarkable letters by the Blaisdell family were nerve-racking for all concerned.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Held by Mrs. Jane’s insistence that they weren’t sure yet that the thing was true, the family steadfastly refused to give out any definite information.
trueadjectiveUS /truː/
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading Held by Mrs. Jane’s insistence that they weren’t sure yet that the thing was true, the family steadfastly refused to give out any definite information.
unpleasingadjective
unpleasant or disagreeable to the senses
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
veritableadjectiveUS /ˈverɪtəbəl/
often used as intensifiers
From this reading Their enigmatic answers to questions, and their expressive shrugs and smiles, however, were almost as exciting as the rumors themselves; and the Blaisdells became at once a veritable storm center of surmises and gossip—a state of affairs not at all unpleasing to some of them, Mrs. Harriet in particular.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Held by Mrs. Jane’s insistence that they weren’t sure yet that the thing was true, the family steadfastly refused to give out any definite information.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The days immediately following the receipt of three remarkable letters by the Blaisdell family were nerve-racking for all concerned.
weren't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Held by Mrs. Jane’s insistence that they weren’t sure yet that the thing was true, the family steadfastly refused to give out any definite information.
WHATpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading WHAT DOES IT MATTER?
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Even the eager Harriet yielded to Jane on this point, acknowledging that it _would_ be mortifying, of course, if they _should_ talk, and nothing came of it.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Held by Mrs. Jane’s insistence that they weren’t sure yet that the thing was true, the family steadfastly refused to give out any definite information.
yieldedverbUS /ˈjiːldɪd/
past form of “yield” — be the cause or source of
From this reading Even the eager Harriet yielded to Jane on this point, acknowledging that it _would_ be mortifying, of course, if they _should_ talk, and nothing came of it.
