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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 DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
Admiral
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Admiral met her in a friendly fashion in the hall, and brought her in.
aigrette
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From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
arrival
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.
bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
braid
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From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The Admiral met her in a friendly fashion in the hall, and brought her in.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But her manner was sweet and gracious, and had a touch of deference in it to the Admiral.
complexion
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From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
dark
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From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
deference
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But her manner was sweet and gracious, and had a touch of deference in it to the Admiral.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.
DIFFICULT
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From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
eyes
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From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
fashion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Admiral met her in a friendly fashion in the hall, and brought her in.
feet
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From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
fender
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
fittedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtɪd/
prepared and equipped for a particular purpose
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
friendly
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From this reading The Admiral met her in a friendly fashion in the hall, and brought her in.
gown
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From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
gracious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But her manner was sweet and gracious, and had a touch of deference in it to the Admiral.
grey
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From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But her manner was sweet and gracious, and had a touch of deference in it to the Admiral.
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Admiral met her in a friendly fashion in the hall, and brought her in.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.
heliotrope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The Admiral met her in a friendly fashion in the hall, and brought her in.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
kiss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.
lace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
manner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But her manner was sweet and gracious, and had a touch of deference in it to the Admiral.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Admiral met her in a friendly fashion in the hall, and brought her in.
MONICA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
Monica's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
Norman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
offer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
powder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
rouge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
russet-brown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
satin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.
sheath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
Sidney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
Sidney's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.
silk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
silver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
slightly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
sweet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But her manner was sweet and gracious, and had a touch of deference in it to the Admiral.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
TIMEnounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.
touch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But her manner was sweet and gracious, and had a touch of deference in it to the Admiral.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
velvet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
warming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.