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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 MATRIMONIAL DIALOGUE.
Abigail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Abigail, coming up to her, brought her Sir Henry's love, and would she be good enough to step downstairs for five minutes?
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This was very civil; so she did step down, and found Sir Henry alone in his study.
also
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Abigail, coming up to her, brought her Sir Henry's love, and would she be good enough to step downstairs for five minutes?
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "George Bertram has been here to-day?" were the first words which the husband spoke when he saw that the door had been fairly closed behind his wife.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading "George Bertram has been here to-day?" were the first words which the husband spoke when he saw that the door had been fairly closed behind his wife.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
Bertram
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "George Bertram has been here to-day?" were the first words which the husband spoke when he saw that the door had been fairly closed behind his wife.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Abigail, coming up to her, brought her Sir Henry's love, and would she be good enough to step downstairs for five minutes?
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
civil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was very civil; so she did step down, and found Sir Henry alone in his study.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "George Bertram has been here to-day?" were the first words which the husband spoke when he saw that the door had been fairly closed behind his wife.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Abigail, coming up to her, brought her Sir Henry's love, and would she be good enough to step downstairs for five minutes?
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
DIALOGUE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MATRIMONIAL DIALOGUE.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading This was very civil; so she did step down, and found Sir Henry alone in his study.
dine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "George Bertram has been here to-day?" were the first words which the husband spoke when he saw that the door had been fairly closed behind his wife.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was very civil; so she did step down, and found Sir Henry alone in his study.
downstairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Abigail, coming up to her, brought her Sir Henry's love, and would she be good enough to step downstairs for five minutes?
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Abigail, coming up to her, brought her Sir Henry's love, and would she be good enough to step downstairs for five minutes?
fairly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "George Bertram has been here to-day?" were the first words which the husband spoke when he saw that the door had been fairly closed behind his wife.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "George Bertram has been here to-day?" were the first words which the husband spoke when he saw that the door had been fairly closed behind his wife.
five
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Abigail, coming up to her, brought her Sir Henry's love, and would she be good enough to step downstairs for five minutes?
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This was very civil; so she did step down, and found Sir Henry alone in his study.
George
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "George Bertram has been here to-day?" were the first words which the husband spoke when he saw that the door had been fairly closed behind his wife.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Abigail, coming up to her, brought her Sir Henry's love, and would she be good enough to step downstairs for five minutes?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "George Bertram has been here to-day?" were the first words which the husband spoke when he saw that the door had been fairly closed behind his wife.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
Henry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
Henry's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Abigail, coming up to her, brought her Sir Henry's love, and would she be good enough to step downstairs for five minutes?
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Abigail, coming up to her, brought her Sir Henry's love, and would she be good enough to step downstairs for five minutes?
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "George Bertram has been here to-day?" were the first words which the husband spoke when he saw that the door had been fairly closed behind his wife.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
husband
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "George Bertram has been here to-day?" were the first words which the husband spoke when he saw that the door had been fairly closed behind his wife.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Abigail, coming up to her, brought her Sir Henry's love, and would she be good enough to step downstairs for five minutes?
MATRIMONIAL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MATRIMONIAL DIALOGUE.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "George Bertram has been here to-day?" were the first words which the husband spoke when he saw that the door had been fairly closed behind his wife.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Abigail, coming up to her, brought her Sir Henry's love, and would she be good enough to step downstairs for five minutes?
Sir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading This was very civil; so she did step down, and found Sir Henry alone in his study.
spoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "George Bertram has been here to-day?" were the first words which the husband spoke when he saw that the door had been fairly closed behind his wife.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Abigail, coming up to her, brought her Sir Henry's love, and would she be good enough to step downstairs for five minutes?
study
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "George Bertram has been here to-day?" were the first words which the husband spoke when he saw that the door had been fairly closed behind his wife.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Abigail, coming up to her, brought her Sir Henry's love, and would she be good enough to step downstairs for five minutes?
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "George Bertram has been here to-day?" were the first words which the husband spoke when he saw that the door had been fairly closed behind his wife.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Abigail, coming up to her, brought her Sir Henry's love, and would she be good enough to step downstairs for five minutes?
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was very civil; so she did step down, and found Sir Henry alone in his study.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was very civil; so she did step down, and found Sir Henry alone in his study.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "George Bertram has been here to-day?" were the first words which the husband spoke when he saw that the door had been fairly closed behind his wife.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading "George Bertram has been here to-day?" were the first words which the husband spoke when he saw that the door had been fairly closed behind his wife.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "George Bertram has been here to-day?" were the first words which the husband spoke when he saw that the door had been fairly closed behind his wife.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "George Bertram has been here to-day?" were the first words which the husband spoke when he saw that the door had been fairly closed behind his wife.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Sir Henry had said also on this day that he would not dine at home; but he came home before dinner; and after being for a few minutes in his own study, he sent for his wife.
