adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
addedverbUS /ˈædəd/
past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading "I couldn't help but overhear as I came upstairs," pursued Mr. Chichester pleasantly, "and devilish dark stairs they are--" "Though excellent for eavesdropping, it appears!" added Barnabas.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Ronald Barrymaine was dumb, his eyes sought the floor, and his pale cheek became, all at once, suffused with a burning, vivid scarlet.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
appearsverbUS /əˈpɪrz/
third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "I couldn't help but overhear as I came upstairs," pursued Mr. Chichester pleasantly, "and devilish dark stairs they are--" "Though excellent for eavesdropping, it appears!" added Barnabas.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Salvation, was it, and a new life?" he inquired, "are you the one to be saved, Ronald, or Smivvle here, or both?"
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Ronald Barrymaine was dumb, his eyes sought the floor, and his pale cheek became, all at once, suffused with a burning, vivid scarlet.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
Barnabas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
BARRYMAINE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Salvation, was it, and a new life?" he inquired, "are you the one to be saved, Ronald, or Smivvle here, or both?"
becameverbUS /bɪˈkeɪm/
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Ronald Barrymaine was dumb, his eyes sought the floor, and his pale cheek became, all at once, suffused with a burning, vivid scarlet.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading "Salvation, was it, and a new life?" he inquired, "are you the one to be saved, Ronald, or Smivvle here, or both?"
burningnounUS /ˈbɜːrnɪŋ/
the act of burning something
From this reading Ronald Barrymaine was dumb, his eyes sought the floor, and his pale cheek became, all at once, suffused with a burning, vivid scarlet.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "I couldn't help but overhear as I came upstairs," pursued Mr. Chichester pleasantly, "and devilish dark stairs they are--" "Though excellent for eavesdropping, it appears!" added Barnabas.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "I couldn't help but overhear as I came upstairs," pursued Mr. Chichester pleasantly, "and devilish dark stairs they are--" "Though excellent for eavesdropping, it appears!" added Barnabas.
chairnounUS /tʃer/
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
cheeknounUS /tʃiːk/
either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading Ronald Barrymaine was dumb, his eyes sought the floor, and his pale cheek became, all at once, suffused with a burning, vivid scarlet.
Chichester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
CHOICEnounUS /tʃɔɪs/
the person or thing chosen or selected
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I couldn't help but overhear as I came upstairs," pursued Mr. Chichester pleasantly, "and devilish dark stairs they are--" "Though excellent for eavesdropping, it appears!" added Barnabas.
criedverbUS /kraɪd/
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading "What?" cried Barrymaine, starting up, "listening, were you--s-spying on me--is that your game, Chichester?"
darknounUS /dɑːrk/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading "I couldn't help but overhear as I came upstairs," pursued Mr. Chichester pleasantly, "and devilish dark stairs they are--" "Though excellent for eavesdropping, it appears!" added Barnabas.
devilishadjectiveUS /ˈdevlɪʃ/
showing the cunning or ingenuity or wickedness typical of a devil
From this reading "I couldn't help but overhear as I came upstairs," pursued Mr. Chichester pleasantly, "and devilish dark stairs they are--" "Though excellent for eavesdropping, it appears!" added Barnabas.
dumbadjectiveUS /dʌm/
slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity
From this reading Ronald Barrymaine was dumb, his eyes sought the floor, and his pale cheek became, all at once, suffused with a burning, vivid scarlet.
eavesdroppingverbUS /ˈiːvzdrɑːpɪŋ/
inflected form of “eavesdrop” — listen without the speaker's knowledge
From this reading "I couldn't help but overhear as I came upstairs," pursued Mr. Chichester pleasantly, "and devilish dark stairs they are--" "Though excellent for eavesdropping, it appears!" added Barnabas.
excellentadjectiveUS /ˈeksələnt/
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading "I couldn't help but overhear as I came upstairs," pursued Mr. Chichester pleasantly, "and devilish dark stairs they are--" "Though excellent for eavesdropping, it appears!" added Barnabas.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading Ronald Barrymaine was dumb, his eyes sought the floor, and his pale cheek became, all at once, suffused with a burning, vivid scarlet.
floornounUS /flɔːr/
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Ronald Barrymaine was dumb, his eyes sought the floor, and his pale cheek became, all at once, suffused with a burning, vivid scarlet.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "I couldn't help but overhear as I came upstairs," pursued Mr. Chichester pleasantly, "and devilish dark stairs they are--" "Though excellent for eavesdropping, it appears!" added Barnabas.
gamenounUS /ɡeɪm/
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading "What?" cried Barrymaine, starting up, "listening, were you--s-spying on me--is that your game, Chichester?"
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Salvation, was it, and a new life?" he inquired, "are you the one to be saved, Ronald, or Smivvle here, or both?"
helpverbUS /help/
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading "I couldn't help but overhear as I came upstairs," pursued Mr. Chichester pleasantly, "and devilish dark stairs they are--" "Though excellent for eavesdropping, it appears!" added Barnabas.
hereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "Salvation, was it, and a new life?" he inquired, "are you the one to be saved, Ronald, or Smivvle here, or both?"
HISdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I couldn't help but overhear as I came upstairs," pursued Mr. Chichester pleasantly, "and devilish dark stairs they are--" "Though excellent for eavesdropping, it appears!" added Barnabas.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
inquiredverbUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪərd/
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading "Salvation, was it, and a new life?" he inquired, "are you the one to be saved, Ronald, or Smivvle here, or both?"
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "What?" cried Barrymaine, starting up, "listening, were you--s-spying on me--is that your game, Chichester?"
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Salvation, was it, and a new life?" he inquired, "are you the one to be saved, Ronald, or Smivvle here, or both?"
laughedverbUS /læft/
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading "Salvation, was it, and a new life?" he inquired, "are you the one to be saved, Ronald, or Smivvle here, or both?"
listeningnounUS /ˈlɪsənɪŋ/
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading "What?" cried Barrymaine, starting up, "listening, were you--s-spying on me--is that your game, Chichester?"
MAKESnounUS /meɪks/
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "What?" cried Barrymaine, starting up, "listening, were you--s-spying on me--is that your game, Chichester?"
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading "Salvation, was it, and a new life?" he inquired, "are you the one to be saved, Ronald, or Smivvle here, or both?"
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading Ronald Barrymaine was dumb, his eyes sought the floor, and his pale cheek became, all at once, suffused with a burning, vivid scarlet.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "Salvation, was it, and a new life?" he inquired, "are you the one to be saved, Ronald, or Smivvle here, or both?"
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Salvation, was it, and a new life?" he inquired, "are you the one to be saved, Ronald, or Smivvle here, or both?"
overhearverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhiːr/
hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
From this reading "I couldn't help but overhear as I came upstairs," pursued Mr. Chichester pleasantly, "and devilish dark stairs they are--" "Though excellent for eavesdropping, it appears!" added Barnabas.
paleadjectiveUS /peɪl/
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading Ronald Barrymaine was dumb, his eyes sought the floor, and his pale cheek became, all at once, suffused with a burning, vivid scarlet.
pleasantlyadverbUS /ˈplezəntli/
in a cheerful manner
From this reading "I couldn't help but overhear as I came upstairs," pursued Mr. Chichester pleasantly, "and devilish dark stairs they are--" "Though excellent for eavesdropping, it appears!" added Barnabas.
pursuednounUS /pərˈsuːd/
a person who is being chased
From this reading "I couldn't help but overhear as I came upstairs," pursued Mr. Chichester pleasantly, "and devilish dark stairs they are--" "Though excellent for eavesdropping, it appears!" added Barnabas.
ricketyadjectiveUS /ˈrɪkəti/
inclined to shake as from weakness or defect
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
RONALD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
s-spying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What?" cried Barrymaine, starting up, "listening, were you--s-spying on me--is that your game, Chichester?"
SalvationnounUS /sælˈveɪʃən/
(theology) the act of delivering from sin or saving from evil
From this reading "Salvation, was it, and a new life?" he inquired, "are you the one to be saved, Ronald, or Smivvle here, or both?"
sankverbUS /sæŋk/
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
savedadjectiveUS /seɪvd/
rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin
From this reading "Salvation, was it, and a new life?" he inquired, "are you the one to be saved, Ronald, or Smivvle here, or both?"
scarletnounUS /ˈskɑːrlət/
a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge
From this reading Ronald Barrymaine was dumb, his eyes sought the floor, and his pale cheek became, all at once, suffused with a burning, vivid scarlet.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
Smivvle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Salvation, was it, and a new life?" he inquired, "are you the one to be saved, Ronald, or Smivvle here, or both?"
softlyadverbUS /ˈsɔːftli/
with low volume
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
soughtadjectiveUS /sɔːt/
that is looked for
From this reading Ronald Barrymaine was dumb, his eyes sought the floor, and his pale cheek became, all at once, suffused with a burning, vivid scarlet.
stairsnounUS /sterz/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading "I couldn't help but overhear as I came upstairs," pursued Mr. Chichester pleasantly, "and devilish dark stairs they are--" "Though excellent for eavesdropping, it appears!" added Barnabas.
startingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtɪŋ/
(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear
From this reading "What?" cried Barrymaine, starting up, "listening, were you--s-spying on me--is that your game, Chichester?"
steppedverbUS /stept/
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
strainedadjectiveUS /streɪnd/
lacking natural ease
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
suffusedverbUS /səˈfjuːzd/
past form of “suffuse” — cause to spread or flush or flood through, over, or across
From this reading Ronald Barrymaine was dumb, his eyes sought the floor, and his pale cheek became, all at once, suffused with a burning, vivid scarlet.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "What?" cried Barrymaine, starting up, "listening, were you--s-spying on me--is that your game, Chichester?"
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I couldn't help but overhear as I came upstairs," pursued Mr. Chichester pleasantly, "and devilish dark stairs they are--" "Though excellent for eavesdropping, it appears!" added Barnabas.
ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "I couldn't help but overhear as I came upstairs," pursued Mr. Chichester pleasantly, "and devilish dark stairs they are--" "Though excellent for eavesdropping, it appears!" added Barnabas.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Salvation, was it, and a new life?" he inquired, "are you the one to be saved, Ronald, or Smivvle here, or both?"
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "What?" cried Barrymaine, starting up, "listening, were you--s-spying on me--is that your game, Chichester?"
upstairsadverbUS /əpˈsterz/
on a floor above
From this reading "I couldn't help but overhear as I came upstairs," pursued Mr. Chichester pleasantly, "and devilish dark stairs they are--" "Though excellent for eavesdropping, it appears!" added Barnabas.
vividadjectiveUS /ˈvɪvəd/
evoking lifelike images within the mind
From this reading Ronald Barrymaine was dumb, his eyes sought the floor, and his pale cheek became, all at once, suffused with a burning, vivid scarlet.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "What?" cried Barrymaine, starting up, "listening, were you--s-spying on me--is that your game, Chichester?"
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What?" cried Barrymaine, starting up, "listening, were you--s-spying on me--is that your game, Chichester?"
WHICHpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH RONALD BARRYMAINE MAKES HIS CHOICE There was a moment of strained silence, then, as Barnabas sank back on the rickety chair, Mr. Chichester laughed softly, and stepped into the room.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Ronald Barrymaine was dumb, his eyes sought the floor, and his pale cheek became, all at once, suffused with a burning, vivid scarlet.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Salvation, was it, and a new life?" he inquired, "are you the one to be saved, Ronald, or Smivvle here, or both?"
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "What?" cried Barrymaine, starting up, "listening, were you--s-spying on me--is that your game, Chichester?"
