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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 DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading So family and guests were scattered about the porch, conversationally distrait as people are wont to be while momentarily expecting the servant's announcement.
afternoon's
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From this reading Brent, terribly in the blues, sat at the extreme end of the porch, pretending to read the morning paper which had come in that afternoon's rural mail.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading So family and guests were scattered about the porch, conversationally distrait as people are wont to be while momentarily expecting the servant's announcement.
Ann
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From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
announcement
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From this reading So family and guests were scattered about the porch, conversationally distrait as people are wont to be while momentarily expecting the servant's announcement.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading So family and guests were scattered about the porch, conversationally distrait as people are wont to be while momentarily expecting the servant's announcement.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading So family and guests were scattered about the porch, conversationally distrait as people are wont to be while momentarily expecting the servant's announcement.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Brent, terribly in the blues, sat at the extreme end of the porch, pretending to read the morning paper which had come in that afternoon's rural mail.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading So family and guests were scattered about the porch, conversationally distrait as people are wont to be while momentarily expecting the servant's announcement.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading A DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
blues
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From this reading Brent, terribly in the blues, sat at the extreme end of the porch, pretending to read the morning paper which had come in that afternoon's rural mail.
Brent
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From this reading Brent, terribly in the blues, sat at the extreme end of the porch, pretending to read the morning paper which had come in that afternoon's rural mail.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Jane and Ann were near by, and Jane was noticeably quiet.
capacity
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From this reading A DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
circumstances
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From this reading A DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
Colonel
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From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Brent, terribly in the blues, sat at the extreme end of the porch, pretending to read the morning paper which had come in that afternoon's rural mail.
conversationally
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From this reading So family and guests were scattered about the porch, conversationally distrait as people are wont to be while momentarily expecting the servant's announcement.
cook
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From this reading A DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
day
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From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
DINNER
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From this reading A DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
discerning
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From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
distrait
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From this reading So family and guests were scattered about the porch, conversationally distrait as people are wont to be while momentarily expecting the servant's announcement.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
end
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From this reading Brent, terribly in the blues, sat at the extreme end of the porch, pretending to read the morning paper which had come in that afternoon's rural mail.
everlasting
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From this reading A DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
expectingverbUS /ɪkˈspektɪŋ/
thinking that somebody or something will arrive
From this reading So family and guests were scattered about the porch, conversationally distrait as people are wont to be while momentarily expecting the servant's announcement.
extreme
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From this reading Brent, terribly in the blues, sat at the extreme end of the porch, pretending to read the morning paper which had come in that afternoon's rural mail.
eyes
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From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
family
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From this reading So family and guests were scattered about the porch, conversationally distrait as people are wont to be while momentarily expecting the servant's announcement.
generous
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From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
guest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
guests
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From this reading So family and guests were scattered about the porch, conversationally distrait as people are wont to be while momentarily expecting the servant's announcement.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
honor
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From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
impression
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From this reading A DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
Jane
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From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
late
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
less
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From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
limit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
mail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brent, terribly in the blues, sat at the extreme end of the porch, pretending to read the morning paper which had come in that afternoon's rural mail.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
moderate
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From this reading A DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
momentarily
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From this reading So family and guests were scattered about the porch, conversationally distrait as people are wont to be while momentarily expecting the servant's announcement.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Brent, terribly in the blues, sat at the extreme end of the porch, pretending to read the morning paper which had come in that afternoon's rural mail.
Nancy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
near
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From this reading Jane and Ann were near by, and Jane was noticeably quiet.
neighbors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
noticeably
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From this reading Jane and Ann were near by, and Jane was noticeably quiet.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
paper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brent, terribly in the blues, sat at the extreme end of the porch, pretending to read the morning paper which had come in that afternoon's rural mail.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So family and guests were scattered about the porch, conversationally distrait as people are wont to be while momentarily expecting the servant's announcement.
pictured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
porch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So family and guests were scattered about the porch, conversationally distrait as people are wont to be while momentarily expecting the servant's announcement.
position
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From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
pretending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brent, terribly in the blues, sat at the extreme end of the porch, pretending to read the morning paper which had come in that afternoon's rural mail.
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jane and Ann were near by, and Jane was noticeably quiet.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brent, terribly in the blues, sat at the extreme end of the porch, pretending to read the morning paper which had come in that afternoon's rural mail.
rural
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brent, terribly in the blues, sat at the extreme end of the porch, pretending to read the morning paper which had come in that afternoon's rural mail.
sat
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From this reading Brent, terribly in the blues, sat at the extreme end of the porch, pretending to read the morning paper which had come in that afternoon's rural mail.
scattered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So family and guests were scattered about the porch, conversationally distrait as people are wont to be while momentarily expecting the servant's announcement.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
servant's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So family and guests were scattered about the porch, conversationally distrait as people are wont to be while momentarily expecting the servant's announcement.
share
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
SILENCES
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From this reading A DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So family and guests were scattered about the porch, conversationally distrait as people are wont to be while momentarily expecting the servant's announcement.
spurred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
suspense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
talking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
terribly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brent, terribly in the blues, sat at the extreme end of the porch, pretending to read the morning paper which had come in that afternoon's rural mail.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading A DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
toilette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
trying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
turn
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From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
Uncle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading So family and guests were scattered about the porch, conversationally distrait as people are wont to be while momentarily expecting the servant's announcement.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Brent, terribly in the blues, sat at the extreme end of the porch, pretending to read the morning paper which had come in that afternoon's rural mail.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading So family and guests were scattered about the porch, conversationally distrait as people are wont to be while momentarily expecting the servant's announcement.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
wishing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
wont
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So family and guests were scattered about the porch, conversationally distrait as people are wont to be while momentarily expecting the servant's announcement.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Nancy, in whose toilette discerning eyes would have seen a generous share of Ann and Jane, was talking to the Colonel; who, in his turn, was making her position of honor guest less trying than she had pictured it during that long day of suspense.
Zack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DINNER OF SILENCES The dinner was late, because Uncle Zack, wishing to make an everlasting impression upon these neighbors of more moderate circumstances, had spurred the cook to the limit of her capacity.
