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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 Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading As with alert, swinging stride Mr Holland entered, Mr Collyer rose, greeting him with his usual stolid air, as if he had just looked in from across the road, instead of from the wilds of Africa.
Africa
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From this reading As with alert, swinging stride Mr Holland entered, Mr Collyer rose, greeting him with his usual stolid air, as if he had just looked in from across the road, instead of from the wilds of Africa.
age
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From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
air
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From this reading As with alert, swinging stride Mr Holland entered, Mr Collyer rose, greeting him with his usual stolid air, as if he had just looked in from across the road, instead of from the wilds of Africa.
alert
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From this reading As with alert, swinging stride Mr Holland entered, Mr Collyer rose, greeting him with his usual stolid air, as if he had just looked in from across the road, instead of from the wilds of Africa.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
brown
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From this reading You're looking very brown.'
cause
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From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
clean-shaven
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From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
Collyer
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From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
Collyer's
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From this reading THE QUEST ORDAINED Mr Collyer's offices were in Pump Court, first floor front.
complexion
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From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
Court
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From this reading THE QUEST ORDAINED Mr Collyer's offices were in Pump Court, first floor front.
difficult
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From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
entered
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From this reading As with alert, swinging stride Mr Holland entered, Mr Collyer rose, greeting him with his usual stolid air, as if he had just looked in from across the road, instead of from the wilds of Africa.
exactly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
extremely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
fifty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE QUEST ORDAINED Mr Collyer's offices were in Pump Court, first floor front.
floor
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From this reading THE QUEST ORDAINED Mr Collyer's offices were in Pump Court, first floor front.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As with alert, swinging stride Mr Holland entered, Mr Collyer rose, greeting him with his usual stolid air, as if he had just looked in from across the road, instead of from the wilds of Africa.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE QUEST ORDAINED Mr Collyer's offices were in Pump Court, first floor front.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
gentlemannounUS /ˈgentleman/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
GoodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading 'Good morning, Mr Guy.
greeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As with alert, swinging stride Mr Holland entered, Mr Collyer rose, greeting him with his usual stolid air, as if he had just looked in from across the road, instead of from the wilds of Africa.
Guy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Good morning, Mr Guy.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As with alert, swinging stride Mr Holland entered, Mr Collyer rose, greeting him with his usual stolid air, as if he had just looked in from across the road, instead of from the wilds of Africa.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As with alert, swinging stride Mr Holland entered, Mr Collyer rose, greeting him with his usual stolid air, as if he had just looked in from across the road, instead of from the wilds of Africa.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As with alert, swinging stride Mr Holland entered, Mr Collyer rose, greeting him with his usual stolid air, as if he had just looked in from across the road, instead of from the wilds of Africa.
Holland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As with alert, swinging stride Mr Holland entered, Mr Collyer rose, greeting him with his usual stolid air, as if he had just looked in from across the road, instead of from the wilds of Africa.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading As with alert, swinging stride Mr Holland entered, Mr Collyer rose, greeting him with his usual stolid air, as if he had just looked in from across the road, instead of from the wilds of Africa.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE QUEST ORDAINED Mr Collyer's offices were in Pump Court, first floor front.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As with alert, swinging stride Mr Holland entered, Mr Collyer rose, greeting him with his usual stolid air, as if he had just looked in from across the road, instead of from the wilds of Africa.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As with alert, swinging stride Mr Holland entered, Mr Collyer rose, greeting him with his usual stolid air, as if he had just looked in from across the road, instead of from the wilds of Africa.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As with alert, swinging stride Mr Holland entered, Mr Collyer rose, greeting him with his usual stolid air, as if he had just looked in from across the road, instead of from the wilds of Africa.
looking
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From this reading You're looking very brown.'
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
manner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
meant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading 'Good morning, Mr Guy.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE QUEST ORDAINED Mr Collyer's offices were in Pump Court, first floor front.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
offices
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From this reading THE QUEST ORDAINED Mr Collyer's offices were in Pump Court, first floor front.
ORDAINED
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From this reading THE QUEST ORDAINED Mr Collyer's offices were in Pump Court, first floor front.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
Pump
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE QUEST ORDAINED Mr Collyer's offices were in Pump Court, first floor front.
pursy
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From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
QUEST
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From this reading THE QUEST ORDAINED Mr Collyer's offices were in Pump Court, first floor front.
road
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From this reading As with alert, swinging stride Mr Holland entered, Mr Collyer rose, greeting him with his usual stolid air, as if he had just looked in from across the road, instead of from the wilds of Africa.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As with alert, swinging stride Mr Holland entered, Mr Collyer rose, greeting him with his usual stolid air, as if he had just looked in from across the road, instead of from the wilds of Africa.
Samuel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
solicitor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
somewhat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
stolid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As with alert, swinging stride Mr Holland entered, Mr Collyer rose, greeting him with his usual stolid air, as if he had just looked in from across the road, instead of from the wilds of Africa.
stride
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As with alert, swinging stride Mr Holland entered, Mr Collyer rose, greeting him with his usual stolid air, as if he had just looked in from across the road, instead of from the wilds of Africa.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
swinging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As with alert, swinging stride Mr Holland entered, Mr Collyer rose, greeting him with his usual stolid air, as if he had just looked in from across the road, instead of from the wilds of Africa.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE QUEST ORDAINED Mr Collyer's offices were in Pump Court, first floor front.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
used
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
useful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As with alert, swinging stride Mr Holland entered, Mr Collyer rose, greeting him with his usual stolid air, as if he had just looked in from across the road, instead of from the wilds of Africa.
varying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE QUEST ORDAINED Mr Collyer's offices were in Pump Court, first floor front.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
wilds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As with alert, swinging stride Mr Holland entered, Mr Collyer rose, greeting him with his usual stolid air, as if he had just looked in from across the road, instead of from the wilds of Africa.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Samuel Collyer was a somewhat short and pursy gentleman of about fifty years of age, with a clean-shaven face, and a manner which gave such a varying complexion to the words he used as to cause it sometimes to be very difficult to make out exactly what it was he meant; an extremely useful manner for a solicitor to have.
You're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You're looking very brown.'
