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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 But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
afterwards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
almost
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From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
alterations
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From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
appeared
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From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
arise
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From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
ashamedadjectiveUS /əˈʃeɪmd/
feeling guilt or embarrassment after doing something that causes embarrassment
From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
better
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From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
bitter
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From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
blank
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From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
busily
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From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
child
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
circumstance
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From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
consequence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
daughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
destiny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
dreary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
dull
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
duties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
future
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
holy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
influence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
joys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
observed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
oh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
Olive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Poor Olive!
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
PoornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Poor Olive!
rare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
Rothesay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
seems
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
shock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
sitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
stay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
temper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
tenderness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
tête-à-tête
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
unseen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
