adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Not a bad berth for the grave little bookworm,” he mused as he rang the bell.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
answeredverbUS /ˈænsərd/
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading It was immediately answered by the “grave little bookworm” in person.
approvinglyadverbUS /əˈpruːvɪŋli/
in an approving manner
From this reading As Dr. Kemp ascended the few steps leading to the front door, he looked around approvingly.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading As Dr. Kemp ascended the few steps leading to the front door, he looked around approvingly.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Dr. Kemp ascended the few steps leading to the front door, he looked around approvingly.
ascendedverbUS /əˈsendɪd/
past form of “ascend” — travel up
From this reading As Dr. Kemp ascended the few steps leading to the front door, he looked around approvingly.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
badadjectiveUS /bæd/
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading “Not a bad berth for the grave little bookworm,” he mused as he rang the bell.
bay-windowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
bellnounUS /bel/
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading “Not a bad berth for the grave little bookworm,” he mused as he rang the bell.
berthnounUS /bɜːrθ/
a job in an organization
From this reading “Not a bad berth for the grave little bookworm,” he mused as he rang the bell.
bookwormnounUS /ˈbʊkwɜːrm/
a person who pays more attention to formal rules and book learning than they merit
From this reading “Not a bad berth for the grave little bookworm,” he mused as he rang the bell.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
broadadjectiveUS /brɔːd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer’s morning to sun and air, told an inviting tale.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer’s morning to sun and air, told an inviting tale.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was immediately answered by the “grave little bookworm” in person.
chairnounUS /tʃer/
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer’s morning to sun and air, told an inviting tale.
comparisonnounUS /kəmˈperəsən/
the act of examining resemblances
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
confusionnounUS /kənˈfjuːʒən/
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer’s morning to sun and air, told an inviting tale.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading As Dr. Kemp ascended the few steps leading to the front door, he looked around approvingly.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Dr. Kemp ascended the few steps leading to the front door, he looked around approvingly.
exquisiteadjectiveUS /ˈekskwəzət/
intense or sharp
From this reading But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer’s morning to sun and air, told an inviting tale.
facedadjectiveUS /feɪst/
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading As Dr. Kemp ascended the few steps leading to the front door, he looked around approvingly.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Not a bad berth for the grave little bookworm,” he mused as he rang the bell.
FrenchnounUS /frentʃ/
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer’s morning to sun and air, told an inviting tale.
frontnounUS /frʌnt/
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading As Dr. Kemp ascended the few steps leading to the front door, he looked around approvingly.
gardennounUS /ˈɡɑːrdən/
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer’s morning to sun and air, told an inviting tale.
gravenounUS /ɡreɪv/
death of a person
From this reading “Not a bad berth for the grave little bookworm,” he mused as he rang the bell.
groundsnounUS /ɡraʊndz/
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Dr. Kemp ascended the few steps leading to the front door, he looked around approvingly.
hedgedadjectiveUS /hedʒd/
evasively worded in order to avoid an unqualified statement
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
heliotropes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer’s morning to sun and air, told an inviting tale.
hospitableadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːˈspɪtəbəl/
favorable to life and growth
From this reading But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer’s morning to sun and air, told an inviting tale.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
housesnounUS /ˈhaʊsəz/
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
immediatelyadverbUS /ˌɪˈmiːdiːətli/
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading It was immediately answered by the “grave little bookworm” in person.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
invitingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvaɪtɪŋ/
attractive and tempting
From this reading But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer’s morning to sun and air, told an inviting tale.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
Kemp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Dr. Kemp ascended the few steps leading to the front door, he looked around approvingly.
lawnsnounUS /lɔːnz/
plural of “lawn” — a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer’s morning to sun and air, told an inviting tale.
leadingadjectiveUS /ˈliːdɪŋ/
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading As Dr. Kemp ascended the few steps leading to the front door, he looked around approvingly.
Levices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “Not a bad berth for the grave little bookworm,” he mused as he rang the bell.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer’s morning to sun and air, told an inviting tale.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading As Dr. Kemp ascended the few steps leading to the front door, he looked around approvingly.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer’s morning to sun and air, told an inviting tale.
musedverbUS /mjuːzd/
past form of “muse” — reflect deeply on a subject
From this reading “Not a bad berth for the grave little bookworm,” he mused as he rang the bell.
NotadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Not a bad berth for the grave little bookworm,” he mused as he rang the bell.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer’s morning to sun and air, told an inviting tale.
pathnounUS /pæθ/
a course of conduct
From this reading But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer’s morning to sun and air, told an inviting tale.
personnounUS /ˈpɜːrsən/
a human being
From this reading It was immediately answered by the “grave little bookworm” in person.
rangverbUS /ræŋ/
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading “Not a bad berth for the grave little bookworm,” he mused as he rang the bell.
reservenounUS /rɪˈzɜːrv/
formality and propriety of manner
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
rosesnounUS /ˈroʊzɪz/
plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer’s morning to sun and air, told an inviting tale.
rowsnounUS /roʊz/
plural of “row” — an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
setteenoun
a long wooden bench with a back
From this reading But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer’s morning to sun and air, told an inviting tale.
sidesnounUS /saɪdz/
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
statelyadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtli/
impressive in appearance
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
stepsnounUS /steps/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading As Dr. Kemp ascended the few steps leading to the front door, he looked around approvingly.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
summer'snounUS /ˈsʌmərz/
possessive form of “summer” — the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer’s morning to sun and air, told an inviting tale.
sunnounUS /sʌn/
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer’s morning to sun and air, told an inviting tale.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer’s morning to sun and air, told an inviting tale.
talenounUS /teɪl/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer’s morning to sun and air, told an inviting tale.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer’s morning to sun and air, told an inviting tale.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer’s morning to sun and air, told an inviting tale.
toldverbUS /toʊld/
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer’s morning to sun and air, told an inviting tale.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
verandanounUS /vərˈændə/
a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)
From this reading But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer’s morning to sun and air, told an inviting tale.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was immediately answered by the “grave little bookworm” in person.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
whereon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer’s morning to sun and air, told an inviting tale.
windowsnounUS /ˈwɪndoʊz/
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer’s morning to sun and air, told an inviting tale.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The Levices’ house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses that faced it and hedged it in on both sides.
