adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As, clamping down the stony hill, they had a last glimpse at the corner of the two Vicarage chimneys, looking above the high hedge like a pair of inquisitive lunatics, Maggie choked.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Maggie wondered as she sat in the old moth-eaten, whisky-smelling cab whether her Aunt Anne was ever moved about anything.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading As, clamping down the stony hill, they had a last glimpse at the corner of the two Vicarage chimneys, looking above the high hedge like a pair of inquisitive lunatics, Maggie choked.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She pressed her hands together, pushed her hair from her face and, in so doing, touched her black hat.
AnnenounUS /æn/
Queen of England and Scotland and Ireland; daughter if James II and the last of the Stuart monarchs; in 1707 she was the last English ruler to exercise the royal veto over parliament (1665-1714)
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading Maggie wondered as she sat in the old moth-eaten, whisky-smelling cab whether her Aunt Anne was ever moved about anything.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Maggie wondered as she sat in the old moth-eaten, whisky-smelling cab whether her Aunt Anne was ever moved about anything.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As, clamping down the stony hill, they had a last glimpse at the corner of the two Vicarage chimneys, looking above the high hedge like a pair of inquisitive lunatics, Maggie choked.
AuntnounUS /ænt/
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
blackadjectiveUS /blæk/
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading She pressed her hands together, pushed her hair from her face and, in so doing, touched her black hat.
cabnounUS /kæb/
a compartment at the front of a motor vehicle or locomotive where driver sits
From this reading Maggie wondered as she sat in the old moth-eaten, whisky-smelling cab whether her Aunt Anne was ever moved about anything.
chimneysnounUS /ˈtʃɪmniz/
plural of “chimney” — a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building
From this reading As, clamping down the stony hill, they had a last glimpse at the corner of the two Vicarage chimneys, looking above the high hedge like a pair of inquisitive lunatics, Maggie choked.
chokedadjectiveUS /tʃoʊkt/
stopped up; clogged up
From this reading As, clamping down the stony hill, they had a last glimpse at the corner of the two Vicarage chimneys, looking above the high hedge like a pair of inquisitive lunatics, Maggie choked.
clampingverbUS /ˈklæmpɪŋ/
-ing form of “clamp” — fasten or fix with a clamp
From this reading As, clamping down the stony hill, they had a last glimpse at the corner of the two Vicarage chimneys, looking above the high hedge like a pair of inquisitive lunatics, Maggie choked.
cornernounUS /ˈkɔːrnər/
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading As, clamping down the stony hill, they had a last glimpse at the corner of the two Vicarage chimneys, looking above the high hedge like a pair of inquisitive lunatics, Maggie choked.
curiouslyadverbUS /ˈkjʊriəsli/
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
doingverbUS /ˈduːɪŋ/
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading She pressed her hands together, pushed her hair from her face and, in so doing, touched her black hat.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading As, clamping down the stony hill, they had a last glimpse at the corner of the two Vicarage chimneys, looking above the high hedge like a pair of inquisitive lunatics, Maggie choked.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading Maggie wondered as she sat in the old moth-eaten, whisky-smelling cab whether her Aunt Anne was ever moved about anything.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading She pressed her hands together, pushed her hair from her face and, in so doing, touched her black hat.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She pressed her hands together, pushed her hair from her face and, in so doing, touched her black hat.
glimpsenounUS /ɡlɪmps/
a quick look
From this reading As, clamping down the stony hill, they had a last glimpse at the corner of the two Vicarage chimneys, looking above the high hedge like a pair of inquisitive lunatics, Maggie choked.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As, clamping down the stony hill, they had a last glimpse at the corner of the two Vicarage chimneys, looking above the high hedge like a pair of inquisitive lunatics, Maggie choked.
hairnounUS /her/
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading She pressed her hands together, pushed her hair from her face and, in so doing, touched her black hat.
handsnounUS /hændz/
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading She pressed her hands together, pushed her hair from her face and, in so doing, touched her black hat.
hatnounUS /hæt/
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading She pressed her hands together, pushed her hair from her face and, in so doing, touched her black hat.
hedgeverbUS /hedʒ/
avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading As, clamping down the stony hill, they had a last glimpse at the corner of the two Vicarage chimneys, looking above the high hedge like a pair of inquisitive lunatics, Maggie choked.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Maggie wondered as she sat in the old moth-eaten, whisky-smelling cab whether her Aunt Anne was ever moved about anything.
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading As, clamping down the stony hill, they had a last glimpse at the corner of the two Vicarage chimneys, looking above the high hedge like a pair of inquisitive lunatics, Maggie choked.
hillnounUS /hɪl/
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading As, clamping down the stony hill, they had a last glimpse at the corner of the two Vicarage chimneys, looking above the high hedge like a pair of inquisitive lunatics, Maggie choked.
HOUSEnounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Maggie wondered as she sat in the old moth-eaten, whisky-smelling cab whether her Aunt Anne was ever moved about anything.
inquisitiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkwɪzɪtɪv/
showing curiosity
From this reading As, clamping down the stony hill, they had a last glimpse at the corner of the two Vicarage chimneys, looking above the high hedge like a pair of inquisitive lunatics, Maggie choked.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
journeyverbUS /ˈdʒɜːrni/
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
knewverbUS /nuː/
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Then something occurred that showed her that, as yet, she knew very little about her aunt.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading As, clamping down the stony hill, they had a last glimpse at the corner of the two Vicarage chimneys, looking above the high hedge like a pair of inquisitive lunatics, Maggie choked.
levelnounUS /ˈlevəl/
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading As, clamping down the stony hill, they had a last glimpse at the corner of the two Vicarage chimneys, looking above the high hedge like a pair of inquisitive lunatics, Maggie choked.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Then something occurred that showed her that, as yet, she knew very little about her aunt.
LONDONnounUS /ˈlʌndən/
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading As, clamping down the stony hill, they had a last glimpse at the corner of the two Vicarage chimneys, looking above the high hedge like a pair of inquisitive lunatics, Maggie choked.
lunaticsnounUS /ˈluːnətɪks/
plural of “lunatic” — an insane person
From this reading As, clamping down the stony hill, they had a last glimpse at the corner of the two Vicarage chimneys, looking above the high hedge like a pair of inquisitive lunatics, Maggie choked.
Maggie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Maggie wondered as she sat in the old moth-eaten, whisky-smelling cab whether her Aunt Anne was ever moved about anything.
moth-eatenadjective
showing signs of wear and tear
From this reading Maggie wondered as she sat in the old moth-eaten, whisky-smelling cab whether her Aunt Anne was ever moved about anything.
movedadjectiveUS /muːvd/
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Maggie wondered as she sat in the old moth-eaten, whisky-smelling cab whether her Aunt Anne was ever moved about anything.
occurredverbUS /əˈkɜːrd/
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading Then something occurred that showed her that, as yet, she knew very little about her aunt.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Maggie wondered as she sat in the old moth-eaten, whisky-smelling cab whether her Aunt Anne was ever moved about anything.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
pairnounUS /per/
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading As, clamping down the stony hill, they had a last glimpse at the corner of the two Vicarage chimneys, looking above the high hedge like a pair of inquisitive lunatics, Maggie choked.
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
presencenounUS /ˈprezəns/
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
pressedadjectiveUS /prest/
compacted by ironing
From this reading She pressed her hands together, pushed her hair from her face and, in so doing, touched her black hat.
pushedverbUS /pʊʃt/
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading She pressed her hands together, pushed her hair from her face and, in so doing, touched her black hat.
reducedadjectiveUS /rəˈduːst/
made less in size or amount or degree
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Maggie wondered as she sat in the old moth-eaten, whisky-smelling cab whether her Aunt Anne was ever moved about anything.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Maggie wondered as she sat in the old moth-eaten, whisky-smelling cab whether her Aunt Anne was ever moved about anything.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
showedverbUS /ʃoʊd/
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Then something occurred that showed her that, as yet, she knew very little about her aunt.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Then something occurred that showed her that, as yet, she knew very little about her aunt.
startverbUS /stɑːrt/
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
stonyadjectiveUS /ˈstoʊni/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading As, clamping down the stony hill, they had a last glimpse at the corner of the two Vicarage chimneys, looking above the high hedge like a pair of inquisitive lunatics, Maggie choked.
strangeadjectiveUS /streɪndʒ/
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
ThenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then something occurred that showed her that, as yet, she knew very little about her aunt.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As, clamping down the stony hill, they had a last glimpse at the corner of the two Vicarage chimneys, looking above the high hedge like a pair of inquisitive lunatics, Maggie choked.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading She pressed her hands together, pushed her hair from her face and, in so doing, touched her black hat.
touchedadjectiveUS /tʌtʃt/
having come into contact
From this reading She pressed her hands together, pushed her hair from her face and, in so doing, touched her black hat.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading As, clamping down the stony hill, they had a last glimpse at the corner of the two Vicarage chimneys, looking above the high hedge like a pair of inquisitive lunatics, Maggie choked.
unemotionaladjectiveUS /ˌʌniˈmoʊʃənəl/
unsusceptible to or destitute of or showing no emotion
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
unexcitingadjectiveUS /ənɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ/
not stimulating
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading Then something occurred that showed her that, as yet, she knew very little about her aunt.
Vicaragenoun
an official residence provided by a church for its parson or vicar or rector
From this reading As, clamping down the stony hill, they had a last glimpse at the corner of the two Vicarage chimneys, looking above the high hedge like a pair of inquisitive lunatics, Maggie choked.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE LONDON HOUSE It was strange after this that the start on the London journey should be so curiously unexciting; it was perhaps the presence of Aunt Anne that reduced everything to an unemotional level.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Maggie wondered as she sat in the old moth-eaten, whisky-smelling cab whether her Aunt Anne was ever moved about anything.
whisky-smelling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Maggie wondered as she sat in the old moth-eaten, whisky-smelling cab whether her Aunt Anne was ever moved about anything.
wonderedverbUS /ˈwʌndərd/
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading Maggie wondered as she sat in the old moth-eaten, whisky-smelling cab whether her Aunt Anne was ever moved about anything.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Then something occurred that showed her that, as yet, she knew very little about her aunt.
