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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 SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
activity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a heterogeneous flock which had answered the call of Jane's horn eight months before: twenty-nine in all, ranging from children of eight to a woman of thirty-five.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
answerednounUS /ˈanswered/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was a heterogeneous flock which had answered the call of Jane's horn eight months before: twenty-nine in all, ranging from children of eight to a woman of thirty-five.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
band
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tobacco-chewing, profane boy was there, with a stolen dirk thrust into his trousers' band, suggesting a turbulent future; and the girl, with the narrow forehead and close, deep-set eyes, was there, pathologically indicating tendencies to kleptomania.
bearing
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From this reading But far outweighing these were the straight, courageous bearing and the tender faces of normal promise.
became
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From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was a heterogeneous flock which had answered the call of Jane's horn eight months before: twenty-nine in all, ranging from children of eight to a woman of thirty-five.
boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tobacco-chewing, profane boy was there, with a stolen dirk thrust into his trousers' band, suggesting a turbulent future; and the girl, with the narrow forehead and close, deep-set eyes, was there, pathologically indicating tendencies to kleptomania.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But far outweighing these were the straight, courageous bearing and the tender faces of normal promise.
calendar
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From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
call
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a heterogeneous flock which had answered the call of Jane's horn eight months before: twenty-nine in all, ranging from children of eight to a woman of thirty-five.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
characteristics
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From this reading Nor were their characteristics less diverse.
children
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From this reading It was a heterogeneous flock which had answered the call of Jane's horn eight months before: twenty-nine in all, ranging from children of eight to a woman of thirty-five.
CLAUS
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From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tobacco-chewing, profane boy was there, with a stolen dirk thrust into his trousers' band, suggesting a turbulent future; and the girl, with the narrow forehead and close, deep-set eyes, was there, pathologically indicating tendencies to kleptomania.
commencement
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From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
courageous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But far outweighing these were the straight, courageous bearing and the tender faces of normal promise.
crept
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From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
daily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
deep-set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tobacco-chewing, profane boy was there, with a stolen dirk thrust into his trousers' band, suggesting a turbulent future; and the girl, with the narrow forehead and close, deep-set eyes, was there, pathologically indicating tendencies to kleptomania.
dirk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tobacco-chewing, profane boy was there, with a stolen dirk thrust into his trousers' band, suggesting a turbulent future; and the girl, with the narrow forehead and close, deep-set eyes, was there, pathologically indicating tendencies to kleptomania.
diverse
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From this reading Nor were their characteristics less diverse.
eight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a heterogeneous flock which had answered the call of Jane's horn eight months before: twenty-nine in all, ranging from children of eight to a woman of thirty-five.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
excitedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪd/
very enthusiastic or eager
From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
exercises
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tobacco-chewing, profane boy was there, with a stolen dirk thrust into his trousers' band, suggesting a turbulent future; and the girl, with the narrow forehead and close, deep-set eyes, was there, pathologically indicating tendencies to kleptomania.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
faces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But far outweighing these were the straight, courageous bearing and the tender faces of normal promise.
far
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From this reading But far outweighing these were the straight, courageous bearing and the tender faces of normal promise.
flock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a heterogeneous flock which had answered the call of Jane's horn eight months before: twenty-nine in all, ranging from children of eight to a woman of thirty-five.
forehead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tobacco-chewing, profane boy was there, with a stolen dirk thrust into his trousers' band, suggesting a turbulent future; and the girl, with the narrow forehead and close, deep-set eyes, was there, pathologically indicating tendencies to kleptomania.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was a heterogeneous flock which had answered the call of Jane's horn eight months before: twenty-nine in all, ranging from children of eight to a woman of thirty-five.
future
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tobacco-chewing, profane boy was there, with a stolen dirk thrust into his trousers' band, suggesting a turbulent future; and the girl, with the narrow forehead and close, deep-set eyes, was there, pathologically indicating tendencies to kleptomania.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tobacco-chewing, profane boy was there, with a stolen dirk thrust into his trousers' band, suggesting a turbulent future; and the girl, with the narrow forehead and close, deep-set eyes, was there, pathologically indicating tendencies to kleptomania.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was a heterogeneous flock which had answered the call of Jane's horn eight months before: twenty-nine in all, ranging from children of eight to a woman of thirty-five.
heterogeneous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a heterogeneous flock which had answered the call of Jane's horn eight months before: twenty-nine in all, ranging from children of eight to a woman of thirty-five.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The tobacco-chewing, profane boy was there, with a stolen dirk thrust into his trousers' band, suggesting a turbulent future; and the girl, with the narrow forehead and close, deep-set eyes, was there, pathologically indicating tendencies to kleptomania.
horn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a heterogeneous flock which had answered the call of Jane's horn eight months before: twenty-nine in all, ranging from children of eight to a woman of thirty-five.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
increased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
indicating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tobacco-chewing, profane boy was there, with a stolen dirk thrust into his trousers' band, suggesting a turbulent future; and the girl, with the narrow forehead and close, deep-set eyes, was there, pathologically indicating tendencies to kleptomania.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The tobacco-chewing, profane boy was there, with a stolen dirk thrust into his trousers' band, suggesting a turbulent future; and the girl, with the narrow forehead and close, deep-set eyes, was there, pathologically indicating tendencies to kleptomania.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a heterogeneous flock which had answered the call of Jane's horn eight months before: twenty-nine in all, ranging from children of eight to a woman of thirty-five.
Jane's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a heterogeneous flock which had answered the call of Jane's horn eight months before: twenty-nine in all, ranging from children of eight to a woman of thirty-five.
kleptomania
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tobacco-chewing, profane boy was there, with a stolen dirk thrust into his trousers' band, suggesting a turbulent future; and the girl, with the narrow forehead and close, deep-set eyes, was there, pathologically indicating tendencies to kleptomania.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor were their characteristics less diverse.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
months
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a heterogeneous flock which had answered the call of Jane's horn eight months before: twenty-nine in all, ranging from children of eight to a woman of thirty-five.
narrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tobacco-chewing, profane boy was there, with a stolen dirk thrust into his trousers' band, suggesting a turbulent future; and the girl, with the narrow forehead and close, deep-set eyes, was there, pathologically indicating tendencies to kleptomania.
NorconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Nor were their characteristics less diverse.
normal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But far outweighing these were the straight, courageous bearing and the tender faces of normal promise.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
outweighing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But far outweighing these were the straight, courageous bearing and the tender faces of normal promise.
pathologically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tobacco-chewing, profane boy was there, with a stolen dirk thrust into his trousers' band, suggesting a turbulent future; and the girl, with the narrow forehead and close, deep-set eyes, was there, pathologically indicating tendencies to kleptomania.
profane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tobacco-chewing, profane boy was there, with a stolen dirk thrust into his trousers' band, suggesting a turbulent future; and the girl, with the narrow forehead and close, deep-set eyes, was there, pathologically indicating tendencies to kleptomania.
promise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But far outweighing these were the straight, courageous bearing and the tender faces of normal promise.
ranging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a heterogeneous flock which had answered the call of Jane's horn eight months before: twenty-nine in all, ranging from children of eight to a woman of thirty-five.
rehearsal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
SANTA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
schoolhouse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
shone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
SPRINGTIME
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
stolen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tobacco-chewing, profane boy was there, with a stolen dirk thrust into his trousers' band, suggesting a turbulent future; and the girl, with the narrow forehead and close, deep-set eyes, was there, pathologically indicating tendencies to kleptomania.
straight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But far outweighing these were the straight, courageous bearing and the tender faces of normal promise.
suggesting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tobacco-chewing, profane boy was there, with a stolen dirk thrust into his trousers' band, suggesting a turbulent future; and the girl, with the narrow forehead and close, deep-set eyes, was there, pathologically indicating tendencies to kleptomania.
tendencies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tobacco-chewing, profane boy was there, with a stolen dirk thrust into his trousers' band, suggesting a turbulent future; and the girl, with the narrow forehead and close, deep-set eyes, was there, pathologically indicating tendencies to kleptomania.
tender
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But far outweighing these were the straight, courageous bearing and the tender faces of normal promise.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Nor were their characteristics less diverse.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tobacco-chewing, profane boy was there, with a stolen dirk thrust into his trousers' band, suggesting a turbulent future; and the girl, with the narrow forehead and close, deep-set eyes, was there, pathologically indicating tendencies to kleptomania.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But far outweighing these were the straight, courageous bearing and the tender faces of normal promise.
thirty-five
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a heterogeneous flock which had answered the call of Jane's horn eight months before: twenty-nine in all, ranging from children of eight to a woman of thirty-five.
thrust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tobacco-chewing, profane boy was there, with a stolen dirk thrust into his trousers' band, suggesting a turbulent future; and the girl, with the narrow forehead and close, deep-set eyes, was there, pathologically indicating tendencies to kleptomania.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was a heterogeneous flock which had answered the call of Jane's horn eight months before: twenty-nine in all, ranging from children of eight to a woman of thirty-five.
tobacco-chewing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tobacco-chewing, profane boy was there, with a stolen dirk thrust into his trousers' band, suggesting a turbulent future; and the girl, with the narrow forehead and close, deep-set eyes, was there, pathologically indicating tendencies to kleptomania.
trousers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tobacco-chewing, profane boy was there, with a stolen dirk thrust into his trousers' band, suggesting a turbulent future; and the girl, with the narrow forehead and close, deep-set eyes, was there, pathologically indicating tendencies to kleptomania.
turbulent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tobacco-chewing, profane boy was there, with a stolen dirk thrust into his trousers' band, suggesting a turbulent future; and the girl, with the narrow forehead and close, deep-set eyes, was there, pathologically indicating tendencies to kleptomania.
twenty-nine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a heterogeneous flock which had answered the call of Jane's horn eight months before: twenty-nine in all, ranging from children of eight to a woman of thirty-five.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a heterogeneous flock which had answered the call of Jane's horn eight months before: twenty-nine in all, ranging from children of eight to a woman of thirty-five.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A SPRINGTIME SANTA CLAUS As May crept up the calendar the little schoolhouse became the center of increased activity: commencement exercises were under daily rehearsal and the light of excited interest shone in every face.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was a heterogeneous flock which had answered the call of Jane's horn eight months before: twenty-nine in all, ranging from children of eight to a woman of thirty-five.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The tobacco-chewing, profane boy was there, with a stolen dirk thrust into his trousers' band, suggesting a turbulent future; and the girl, with the narrow forehead and close, deep-set eyes, was there, pathologically indicating tendencies to kleptomania.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a heterogeneous flock which had answered the call of Jane's horn eight months before: twenty-nine in all, ranging from children of eight to a woman of thirty-five.
