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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 "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
amused
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From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
apparition
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From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
appeared
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From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
Armstrong
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From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
away
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From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
broached
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From this reading At lunch, Roger innocently broached the question of Hodder's eviction.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
caress
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From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
carriage
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From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
not friendly or close
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
door-step
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
drive
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From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
dropped
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From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
emphatically
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From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
eviction
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From this reading At lunch, Roger innocently broached the question of Hodder's eviction.
eye
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From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
eye-glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
faded
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From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
few
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From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
figure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
hall-door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
Hodder's
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From this reading At lunch, Roger innocently broached the question of Hodder's eviction.
house
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From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
innocently
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From this reading At lunch, Roger innocently broached the question of Hodder's eviction.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
lay
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From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
light
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From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
limply
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From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
lips
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From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
lunch
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From this reading At lunch, Roger innocently broached the question of Hodder's eviction.
mastiff
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From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
mat
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From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
minute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
nearer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
occupied
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From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At lunch, Roger innocently broached the question of Hodder's eviction.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
paces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
pat
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From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading At lunch, Roger innocently broached the question of Hodder's eviction.
repeatednounUS /repeated/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
Ridiculous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
Roger
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From this reading At lunch, Roger innocently broached the question of Hodder's eviction.
said
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From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
scarcely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
seconds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
sleeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
smile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
somehow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
somewhat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
stepped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
strolled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
ten
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From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
up
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From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
vanishing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
