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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 Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The plump newspaperman in brown was too deeply preoccupied to hear anything so timidly unobtrusive as was that interruption, and only after the intruder had plucked nervously at the elbow that supported his chin did he realize that he was not alone.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The plump newspaperman in brown was too deeply preoccupied to hear anything so timidly unobtrusive as was that interruption, and only after the intruder had plucked nervously at the elbow that supported his chin did he realize that he was not alone.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading The plump newspaperman in brown was too deeply preoccupied to hear anything so timidly unobtrusive as was that interruption, and only after the intruder had plucked nervously at the elbow that supported his chin did he realize that he was not alone.
apologetic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His head came up then, slowly, until he was gazing back into the eyes of the little, attenuated old man who, head tilted birdlike to one side, was standing beside him in uncomfortable, apologetic silence.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The plump newspaperman in brown was too deeply preoccupied to hear anything so timidly unobtrusive as was that interruption, and only after the intruder had plucked nervously at the elbow that supported his chin did he realize that he was not alone.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
attenuated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His head came up then, slowly, until he was gazing back into the eyes of the little, attenuated old man who, head tilted birdlike to one side, was standing beside him in uncomfortable, apologetic silence.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His head came up then, slowly, until he was gazing back into the eyes of the little, attenuated old man who, head tilted birdlike to one side, was standing beside him in uncomfortable, apologetic silence.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading His head came up then, slowly, until he was gazing back into the eyes of the little, attenuated old man who, head tilted birdlike to one side, was standing beside him in uncomfortable, apologetic silence.
birdlike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His head came up then, slowly, until he was gazing back into the eyes of the little, attenuated old man who, head tilted birdlike to one side, was standing beside him in uncomfortable, apologetic silence.
blue-bottle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
brown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plump newspaperman in brown was too deeply preoccupied to hear anything so timidly unobtrusive as was that interruption, and only after the intruder had plucked nervously at the elbow that supported his chin did he realize that he was not alone.
buzzing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His head came up then, slowly, until he was gazing back into the eyes of the little, attenuated old man who, head tilted birdlike to one side, was standing beside him in uncomfortable, apologetic silence.
chin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plump newspaperman in brown was too deeply preoccupied to hear anything so timidly unobtrusive as was that interruption, and only after the intruder had plucked nervously at the elbow that supported his chin did he realize that he was not alone.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
contrast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
deeply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plump newspaperman in brown was too deeply preoccupied to hear anything so timidly unobtrusive as was that interruption, and only after the intruder had plucked nervously at the elbow that supported his chin did he realize that he was not alone.
desertedverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/
left a place or vessel without intending to return
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
desk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
edition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
editorial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
elbow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plump newspaperman in brown was too deeply preoccupied to hear anything so timidly unobtrusive as was that interruption, and only after the intruder had plucked nervously at the elbow that supported his chin did he realize that he was not alone.
EvernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His head came up then, slowly, until he was gazing back into the eyes of the little, attenuated old man who, head tilted birdlike to one side, was standing beside him in uncomfortable, apologetic silence.
flat-topped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
fly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
gazing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His head came up then, slowly, until he was gazing back into the eyes of the little, attenuated old man who, head tilted birdlike to one side, was standing beside him in uncomfortable, apologetic silence.
glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The plump newspaperman in brown was too deeply preoccupied to hear anything so timidly unobtrusive as was that interruption, and only after the intruder had plucked nervously at the elbow that supported his chin did he realize that he was not alone.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His head came up then, slowly, until he was gazing back into the eyes of the little, attenuated old man who, head tilted birdlike to one side, was standing beside him in uncomfortable, apologetic silence.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His head came up then, slowly, until he was gazing back into the eyes of the little, attenuated old man who, head tilted birdlike to one side, was standing beside him in uncomfortable, apologetic silence.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
huge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
interruption
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plump newspaperman in brown was too deeply preoccupied to hear anything so timidly unobtrusive as was that interruption, and only after the intruder had plucked nervously at the elbow that supported his chin did he realize that he was not alone.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading His head came up then, slowly, until he was gazing back into the eyes of the little, attenuated old man who, head tilted birdlike to one side, was standing beside him in uncomfortable, apologetic silence.
intruder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plump newspaperman in brown was too deeply preoccupied to hear anything so timidly unobtrusive as was that interruption, and only after the intruder had plucked nervously at the elbow that supported his chin did he realize that he was not alone.
irritatingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
littered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His head came up then, slowly, until he was gazing back into the eyes of the little, attenuated old man who, head tilted birdlike to one side, was standing beside him in uncomfortable, apologetic silence.
loud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His head came up then, slowly, until he was gazing back into the eyes of the little, attenuated old man who, head tilted birdlike to one side, was standing beside him in uncomfortable, apologetic silence.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It surprised Morehouse more than a little.
Morehouse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
Morehouse's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
nervously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plump newspaperman in brown was too deeply preoccupied to hear anything so timidly unobtrusive as was that interruption, and only after the intruder had plucked nervously at the elbow that supported his chin did he realize that he was not alone.
newspaperman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plump newspaperman in brown was too deeply preoccupied to hear anything so timidly unobtrusive as was that interruption, and only after the intruder had plucked nervously at the elbow that supported his chin did he realize that he was not alone.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
offices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His head came up then, slowly, until he was gazing back into the eyes of the little, attenuated old man who, head tilted birdlike to one side, was standing beside him in uncomfortable, apologetic silence.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading His head came up then, slowly, until he was gazing back into the eyes of the little, attenuated old man who, head tilted birdlike to one side, was standing beside him in uncomfortable, apologetic silence.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plump newspaperman in brown was too deeply preoccupied to hear anything so timidly unobtrusive as was that interruption, and only after the intruder had plucked nervously at the elbow that supported his chin did he realize that he was not alone.
opaque
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
outer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
pane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
paper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
partition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
plucked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plump newspaperman in brown was too deeply preoccupied to hear anything so timidly unobtrusive as was that interruption, and only after the intruder had plucked nervously at the elbow that supported his chin did he realize that he was not alone.
plump
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plump newspaperman in brown was too deeply preoccupied to hear anything so timidly unobtrusive as was that interruption, and only after the intruder had plucked nervously at the elbow that supported his chin did he realize that he was not alone.
preoccupied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plump newspaperman in brown was too deeply preoccupied to hear anything so timidly unobtrusive as was that interruption, and only after the intruder had plucked nervously at the elbow that supported his chin did he realize that he was not alone.
press
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
realize
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plump newspaperman in brown was too deeply preoccupied to hear anything so timidly unobtrusive as was that interruption, and only after the intruder had plucked nervously at the elbow that supported his chin did he realize that he was not alone.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading His head came up then, slowly, until he was gazing back into the eyes of the little, attenuated old man who, head tilted birdlike to one side, was standing beside him in uncomfortable, apologetic silence.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His head came up then, slowly, until he was gazing back into the eyes of the little, attenuated old man who, head tilted birdlike to one side, was standing beside him in uncomfortable, apologetic silence.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading His head came up then, slowly, until he was gazing back into the eyes of the little, attenuated old man who, head tilted birdlike to one side, was standing beside him in uncomfortable, apologetic silence.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
supported
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plump newspaperman in brown was too deeply preoccupied to hear anything so timidly unobtrusive as was that interruption, and only after the intruder had plucked nervously at the elbow that supported his chin did he realize that he was not alone.
surprisednounUS /surprised/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It surprised Morehouse more than a little.
tables
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It surprised Morehouse more than a little.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His head came up then, slowly, until he was gazing back into the eyes of the little, attenuated old man who, head tilted birdlike to one side, was standing beside him in uncomfortable, apologetic silence.
tilted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His head came up then, slowly, until he was gazing back into the eyes of the little, attenuated old man who, head tilted birdlike to one side, was standing beside him in uncomfortable, apologetic silence.
timidly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plump newspaperman in brown was too deeply preoccupied to hear anything so timidly unobtrusive as was that interruption, and only after the intruder had plucked nervously at the elbow that supported his chin did he realize that he was not alone.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plump newspaperman in brown was too deeply preoccupied to hear anything so timidly unobtrusive as was that interruption, and only after the intruder had plucked nervously at the elbow that supported his chin did he realize that he was not alone.
uncomfortable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His head came up then, slowly, until he was gazing back into the eyes of the little, attenuated old man who, head tilted birdlike to one side, was standing beside him in uncomfortable, apologetic silence.
unobtrusive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plump newspaperman in brown was too deeply preoccupied to hear anything so timidly unobtrusive as was that interruption, and only after the intruder had plucked nervously at the elbow that supported his chin did he realize that he was not alone.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading His head came up then, slowly, until he was gazing back into the eyes of the little, attenuated old man who, head tilted birdlike to one side, was standing beside him in uncomfortable, apologetic silence.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His head came up then, slowly, until he was gazing back into the eyes of the little, attenuated old man who, head tilted birdlike to one side, was standing beside him in uncomfortable, apologetic silence.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
walled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Morehouse did not hear the door in the opaque glass partition that walled his desk off from the outer editorial offices open and close, for all that it was very quiet.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading His head came up then, slowly, until he was gazing back into the eyes of the little, attenuated old man who, head tilted birdlike to one side, was standing beside him in uncomfortable, apologetic silence.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Ever since the hour which followed the going to press of the afternoon edition of the paper the huge room, with its littered floor and flat-topped tables, had been deserted, so still that the buzzing of a blue-bottle fly against the window pane at Morehouse's side seemed irritatingly loud by contrast.
