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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 Maplestone Court was a pretty, spacious, and comfortable English home.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE HOME AND THE CHILDREN.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The house was built of old red brick, which took a deep, rich colour in the rays of the western sun as it shone upon the wide porch and the many windows.
basin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the right of the house the ground sloped gently down to what was called by courtesy a river, though it was but a little rippling stream, which had taken many curves and windings, and just below Maplestone had made for itself a deep basin, called by the same courtesy a lake.
BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading To the right of the house the ground sloped gently down to what was called by courtesy a river, though it was but a little rippling stream, which had taken many curves and windings, and just below Maplestone had made for itself a deep basin, called by the same courtesy a lake.
brick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was built of old red brick, which took a deep, rich colour in the rays of the western sun as it shone upon the wide porch and the many windows.
built
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was built of old red brick, which took a deep, rich colour in the rays of the western sun as it shone upon the wide porch and the many windows.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the right of the house the ground sloped gently down to what was called by courtesy a river, though it was but a little rippling stream, which had taken many curves and windings, and just below Maplestone had made for itself a deep basin, called by the same courtesy a lake.
CHILDREN
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From this reading THE HOME AND THE CHILDREN.
close
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From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
colour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was built of old red brick, which took a deep, rich colour in the rays of the western sun as it shone upon the wide porch and the many windows.
comfortable
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From this reading Maplestone Court was a pretty, spacious, and comfortable English home.
Court
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From this reading Maplestone Court was a pretty, spacious, and comfortable English home.
courtesy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the right of the house the ground sloped gently down to what was called by courtesy a river, though it was but a little rippling stream, which had taken many curves and windings, and just below Maplestone had made for itself a deep basin, called by the same courtesy a lake.
curves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the right of the house the ground sloped gently down to what was called by courtesy a river, though it was but a little rippling stream, which had taken many curves and windings, and just below Maplestone had made for itself a deep basin, called by the same courtesy a lake.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
deep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was built of old red brick, which took a deep, rich colour in the rays of the western sun as it shone upon the wide porch and the many windows.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the right of the house the ground sloped gently down to what was called by courtesy a river, though it was but a little rippling stream, which had taken many curves and windings, and just below Maplestone had made for itself a deep basin, called by the same courtesy a lake.
emeraldnounUS /ˈemərəld/
a bright green precious stone
From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
English
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From this reading Maplestone Court was a pretty, spacious, and comfortable English home.
evening
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From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
expanse
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From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
flower-beds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading To the right of the house the ground sloped gently down to what was called by courtesy a river, though it was but a little rippling stream, which had taken many curves and windings, and just below Maplestone had made for itself a deep basin, called by the same courtesy a lake.
gently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the right of the house the ground sloped gently down to what was called by courtesy a river, though it was but a little rippling stream, which had taken many curves and windings, and just below Maplestone had made for itself a deep basin, called by the same courtesy a lake.
ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the right of the house the ground sloped gently down to what was called by courtesy a river, though it was but a little rippling stream, which had taken many curves and windings, and just below Maplestone had made for itself a deep basin, called by the same courtesy a lake.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To the right of the house the ground sloped gently down to what was called by courtesy a river, though it was but a little rippling stream, which had taken many curves and windings, and just below Maplestone had made for itself a deep basin, called by the same courtesy a lake.
HOME
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOME AND THE CHILDREN.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was built of old red brick, which took a deep, rich colour in the rays of the western sun as it shone upon the wide porch and the many windows.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The house was built of old red brick, which took a deep, rich colour in the rays of the western sun as it shone upon the wide porch and the many windows.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The house was built of old red brick, which took a deep, rich colour in the rays of the western sun as it shone upon the wide porch and the many windows.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading To the right of the house the ground sloped gently down to what was called by courtesy a river, though it was but a little rippling stream, which had taken many curves and windings, and just below Maplestone had made for itself a deep basin, called by the same courtesy a lake.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the right of the house the ground sloped gently down to what was called by courtesy a river, though it was but a little rippling stream, which had taken many curves and windings, and just below Maplestone had made for itself a deep basin, called by the same courtesy a lake.
lake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the right of the house the ground sloped gently down to what was called by courtesy a river, though it was but a little rippling stream, which had taken many curves and windings, and just below Maplestone had made for itself a deep basin, called by the same courtesy a lake.
lawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To the right of the house the ground sloped gently down to what was called by courtesy a river, though it was but a little rippling stream, which had taken many curves and windings, and just below Maplestone had made for itself a deep basin, called by the same courtesy a lake.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the right of the house the ground sloped gently down to what was called by courtesy a river, though it was but a little rippling stream, which had taken many curves and windings, and just below Maplestone had made for itself a deep basin, called by the same courtesy a lake.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was built of old red brick, which took a deep, rich colour in the rays of the western sun as it shone upon the wide porch and the many windows.
Maplestone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Maplestone Court was a pretty, spacious, and comfortable English home.
masses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The house was built of old red brick, which took a deep, rich colour in the rays of the western sun as it shone upon the wide porch and the many windows.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was built of old red brick, which took a deep, rich colour in the rays of the western sun as it shone upon the wide porch and the many windows.
porch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was built of old red brick, which took a deep, rich colour in the rays of the western sun as it shone upon the wide porch and the many windows.
pretty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Maplestone Court was a pretty, spacious, and comfortable English home.
rays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was built of old red brick, which took a deep, rich colour in the rays of the western sun as it shone upon the wide porch and the many windows.
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was built of old red brick, which took a deep, rich colour in the rays of the western sun as it shone upon the wide porch and the many windows.
rich
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was built of old red brick, which took a deep, rich colour in the rays of the western sun as it shone upon the wide porch and the many windows.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To the right of the house the ground sloped gently down to what was called by courtesy a river, though it was but a little rippling stream, which had taken many curves and windings, and just below Maplestone had made for itself a deep basin, called by the same courtesy a lake.
rippling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the right of the house the ground sloped gently down to what was called by courtesy a river, though it was but a little rippling stream, which had taken many curves and windings, and just below Maplestone had made for itself a deep basin, called by the same courtesy a lake.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the right of the house the ground sloped gently down to what was called by courtesy a river, though it was but a little rippling stream, which had taken many curves and windings, and just below Maplestone had made for itself a deep basin, called by the same courtesy a lake.
rolled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To the right of the house the ground sloped gently down to what was called by courtesy a river, though it was but a little rippling stream, which had taken many curves and windings, and just below Maplestone had made for itself a deep basin, called by the same courtesy a lake.
shadows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
shaven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
shone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was built of old red brick, which took a deep, rich colour in the rays of the western sun as it shone upon the wide porch and the many windows.
skirtednounUS /ˈskirted/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
sloped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the right of the house the ground sloped gently down to what was called by courtesy a river, though it was but a little rippling stream, which had taken many curves and windings, and just below Maplestone had made for itself a deep basin, called by the same courtesy a lake.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
spacious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Maplestone Court was a pretty, spacious, and comfortable English home.
stately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
stream
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the right of the house the ground sloped gently down to what was called by courtesy a river, though it was but a little rippling stream, which had taken many curves and windings, and just below Maplestone had made for itself a deep basin, called by the same courtesy a lake.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was built of old red brick, which took a deep, rich colour in the rays of the western sun as it shone upon the wide porch and the many windows.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the right of the house the ground sloped gently down to what was called by courtesy a river, though it was but a little rippling stream, which had taken many curves and windings, and just below Maplestone had made for itself a deep basin, called by the same courtesy a lake.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HOME AND THE CHILDREN.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading To the right of the house the ground sloped gently down to what was called by courtesy a river, though it was but a little rippling stream, which had taken many curves and windings, and just below Maplestone had made for itself a deep basin, called by the same courtesy a lake.
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To the right of the house the ground sloped gently down to what was called by courtesy a river, though it was but a little rippling stream, which had taken many curves and windings, and just below Maplestone had made for itself a deep basin, called by the same courtesy a lake.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The house was built of old red brick, which took a deep, rich colour in the rays of the western sun as it shone upon the wide porch and the many windows.
trees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
turf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
unbroken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the house there was a wide expanse of emerald turf, skirted by stately trees; and this lawn was not cut up into flower-beds, but rolled and shaven close, so that the dark shadows of the trees lay upon it in unbroken masses morning and evening.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The house was built of old red brick, which took a deep, rich colour in the rays of the western sun as it shone upon the wide porch and the many windows.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Maplestone Court was a pretty, spacious, and comfortable English home.
western
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was built of old red brick, which took a deep, rich colour in the rays of the western sun as it shone upon the wide porch and the many windows.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading To the right of the house the ground sloped gently down to what was called by courtesy a river, though it was but a little rippling stream, which had taken many curves and windings, and just below Maplestone had made for itself a deep basin, called by the same courtesy a lake.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The house was built of old red brick, which took a deep, rich colour in the rays of the western sun as it shone upon the wide porch and the many windows.
wide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was built of old red brick, which took a deep, rich colour in the rays of the western sun as it shone upon the wide porch and the many windows.
windings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the right of the house the ground sloped gently down to what was called by courtesy a river, though it was but a little rippling stream, which had taken many curves and windings, and just below Maplestone had made for itself a deep basin, called by the same courtesy a lake.
windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was built of old red brick, which took a deep, rich colour in the rays of the western sun as it shone upon the wide porch and the many windows.
