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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 And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
affirmative
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From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
all
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From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
almost
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From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
asking
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From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
attitude
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From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
begged
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From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
book
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From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
buried
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From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
butchers
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From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
cathedral
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From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
coffee
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From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.
comment
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From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
compelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
constantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
cup
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
despotic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
Durtal
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From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.
endure
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From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
escape
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From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
flannel
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From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
fly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
full
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From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.
harangue
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From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.
hoped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
housekeeper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.
incoherent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
knew
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From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
knowing
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From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
Madame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.
meal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
meat
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From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
Mesurat
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From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.
mutton-cutlet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
noddednounUS /nodded/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
nose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
obsequious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
placed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
repellent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
serve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.
service
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
servile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
sketchy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
study
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
tasteverbUS /teɪst/
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
thus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
turning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
ventured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.