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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 The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
aid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading Sally, I am sorry to say, had been jilted.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Sally came into the kitchen just as the clock was striking seven.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
best-regulated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
brown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sally came into the kitchen just as the clock was striking seven.
cat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sally came into the kitchen just as the clock was striking seven.
cockroaches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
cracked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
crushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
dreamnounUS /driːm/
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
dresser
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
ducking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
families
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
footsteps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
grocer-boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
hiding-places
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
hopes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Sally, I am sorry to say, had been jilted.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Sally came into the kitchen just as the clock was striking seven.
intrude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
jilted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sally, I am sorry to say, had been jilted.
jumped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sally came into the kitchen just as the clock was striking seven.
kitchen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sally came into the kitchen just as the clock was striking seven.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
looking-glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
Maltese
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
mouse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
multiplying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
performing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
refuge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
relatives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
Sally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sally came into the kitchen just as the clock was striking seven.
Sally's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sally, I am sorry to say, had been jilted.
scampered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
seven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sally came into the kitchen just as the clock was striking seven.
shook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
sorry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sally, I am sorry to say, had been jilted.
stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
stray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
striking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sally came into the kitchen just as the clock was striking seven.
sugar-bowl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
suggestive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
temporary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Sally came into the kitchen just as the clock was striking seven.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
thieving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
Three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
toilet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Sally came into the kitchen just as the clock was striking seven.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Maltese cat heard the old clock, jumped up, and shook herself, just as if her dream of a ducking at the hands of the grocer-boy were true.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Sally had been up stairs performing her afternoon toilet by the aid of a cracked looking-glass, which had a way of multiplying Sally's very suggestive to her crushed hopes.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Three stray cockroaches--cockroaches, like poor relatives, will intrude into the best-regulated families--scampered before Sally's footsteps to their hiding-places, and the little thieving brown mouse on the dresser took temporary refuge in the sugar-bowl.
