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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 A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
afraid
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From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
air
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From this reading Except for the low murmur of the stream, it was very still; and the air was heavy with the smell of dew-damped soil.
alders
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From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
Brantholme
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From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
broad-shouldered
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From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
companion
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From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
cornfield
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From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
departure
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From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
dew-damped
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From this reading Except for the low murmur of the stream, it was very still; and the air was heavy with the smell of dew-damped soil.
dim
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From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
distance
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From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
down
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From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
drive
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From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
DUTYnounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
dwell
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From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
eastern
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From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
entrance
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From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
evening
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From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
ExceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading Except for the low murmur of the stream, it was very still; and the air was heavy with the smell of dew-damped soil.
eyes
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From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
faded
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From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
figure
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From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
fixed
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From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Except for the low murmur of the stream, it was very still; and the air was heavy with the smell of dew-damped soil.
front
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From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
gate
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From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
George's
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From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
gleamed
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From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
grayness
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From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
green
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From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Except for the low murmur of the stream, it was very still; and the air was heavy with the smell of dew-damped soil.
hills
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From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
leaned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
low
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Except for the low murmur of the stream, it was very still; and the air was heavy with the smell of dew-damped soil.
mass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
MATTER
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From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
moodily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
motionless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
murmur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Except for the low murmur of the stream, it was very still; and the air was heavy with the smell of dew-damped soil.
Near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
overhanging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
palely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
prospect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
ran
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From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
river
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From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
road
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From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
shadowy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
sky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
smell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Except for the low murmur of the stream, it was very still; and the air was heavy with the smell of dew-damped soil.
soft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
soil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Except for the low murmur of the stream, it was very still; and the air was heavy with the smell of dew-damped soil.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Except for the low murmur of the stream, it was very still; and the air was heavy with the smell of dew-damped soil.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
streak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
stream
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Except for the low murmur of the stream, it was very still; and the air was heavy with the smell of dew-damped soil.
Sylvia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
towered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Except for the low murmur of the stream, it was very still; and the air was heavy with the smell of dew-damped soil.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
wood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
