adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ‘Twas a long doubt; we never heard Exactly how the ship went down.--ARCHER GURNEY.
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/
anew
From this reading The Christmas holidays had come to an end, and the home party were again alone, when early in the forenoon, there was a tap at the drawing-room door, and Dr. Spencer called, “Ethel, can you come and speak to me?”
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading The Christmas holidays had come to an end, and the home party were again alone, when early in the forenoon, there was a tap at the drawing-room door, and Dr. Spencer called, “Ethel, can you come and speak to me?”
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The Christmas holidays had come to an end, and the home party were again alone, when early in the forenoon, there was a tap at the drawing-room door, and Dr. Spencer called, “Ethel, can you come and speak to me?”
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
ARCHERnounUS /ˈɑːrtʃər/
a person who is expert in the use of a bow and arrow
From this reading ‘Twas a long doubt; we never heard Exactly how the ship went down.--ARCHER GURNEY.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Margaret started as if those gentle tones had been a thunderclap.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
calledverbUS /kɔːld/
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The Christmas holidays had come to an end, and the home party were again alone, when early in the forenoon, there was a tap at the drawing-room door, and Dr. Spencer called, “Ethel, can you come and speak to me?”
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading The Christmas holidays had come to an end, and the home party were again alone, when early in the forenoon, there was a tap at the drawing-room door, and Dr. Spencer called, “Ethel, can you come and speak to me?”
ChristmasnounUS /ˈkrɪsməs/
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading The Christmas holidays had come to an end, and the home party were again alone, when early in the forenoon, there was a tap at the drawing-room door, and Dr. Spencer called, “Ethel, can you come and speak to me?”
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The Christmas holidays had come to an end, and the home party were again alone, when early in the forenoon, there was a tap at the drawing-room door, and Dr. Spencer called, “Ethel, can you come and speak to me?”
declareverbUS /dɪˈkler/
state emphatically and authoritatively
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
deferredverbUS /dɪˈfɜːrd/
inflected form of “defer” — hold back to a later time
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
despairnounUS /dɪˈsper/
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Go! go, Ethel,” she said, “don’t keep me waiting.”
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The Christmas holidays had come to an end, and the home party were again alone, when early in the forenoon, there was a tap at the drawing-room door, and Dr. Spencer called, “Ethel, can you come and speak to me?”
doubtnounUS /daʊt/
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading ‘Twas a long doubt; we never heard Exactly how the ship went down.--ARCHER GURNEY.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading ‘Twas a long doubt; we never heard Exactly how the ship went down.--ARCHER GURNEY.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Christmas holidays had come to an end, and the home party were again alone, when early in the forenoon, there was a tap at the drawing-room door, and Dr. Spencer called, “Ethel, can you come and speak to me?”
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Christmas holidays had come to an end, and the home party were again alone, when early in the forenoon, there was a tap at the drawing-room door, and Dr. Spencer called, “Ethel, can you come and speak to me?”
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading The Christmas holidays had come to an end, and the home party were again alone, when early in the forenoon, there was a tap at the drawing-room door, and Dr. Spencer called, “Ethel, can you come and speak to me?”
endnounUS /end/
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The Christmas holidays had come to an end, and the home party were again alone, when early in the forenoon, there was a tap at the drawing-room door, and Dr. Spencer called, “Ethel, can you come and speak to me?”
Ethel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Christmas holidays had come to an end, and the home party were again alone, when early in the forenoon, there was a tap at the drawing-room door, and Dr. Spencer called, “Ethel, can you come and speak to me?”
ExactlyadverbUS /ɪɡˈzæktli/
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading ‘Twas a long doubt; we never heard Exactly how the ship went down.--ARCHER GURNEY.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
fainadjectiveUS /feɪn/
having made preparations
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
fearverbUS /fɪr/
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
forenoonnoun
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The Christmas holidays had come to an end, and the home party were again alone, when early in the forenoon, there was a tap at the drawing-room door, and Dr. Spencer called, “Ethel, can you come and speak to me?”
gentleadjectiveUS /ˈdʒentəl/
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading Margaret started as if those gentle tones had been a thunderclap.
gladadjectiveUS /ɡlæd/
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
GoverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading “Go! go, Ethel,” she said, “don’t keep me waiting.”
GURNEYnounUS /ˈɡɜːrni/
a metal stretcher with wheels
From this reading ‘Twas a long doubt; we never heard Exactly how the ship went down.--ARCHER GURNEY.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading ‘Twas a long doubt; we never heard Exactly how the ship went down.--ARCHER GURNEY.
heart-sickness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
holidaysnounUS /ˈhɑːlədeɪz/
plural of “holiday” — leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading The Christmas holidays had come to an end, and the home party were again alone, when early in the forenoon, there was a tap at the drawing-room door, and Dr. Spencer called, “Ethel, can you come and speak to me?”
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading The Christmas holidays had come to an end, and the home party were again alone, when early in the forenoon, there was a tap at the drawing-room door, and Dr. Spencer called, “Ethel, can you come and speak to me?”
hopenounUS /hoʊp/
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Twas a long doubt; we never heard Exactly how the ship went down.--ARCHER GURNEY.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Margaret started as if those gentle tones had been a thunderclap.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Christmas holidays had come to an end, and the home party were again alone, when early in the forenoon, there was a tap at the drawing-room door, and Dr. Spencer called, “Ethel, can you come and speak to me?”
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
keepverbUS /kiːp/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading “Go! go, Ethel,” she said, “don’t keep me waiting.”
keptadjectiveUS /kept/
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading ‘Twas a long doubt; we never heard Exactly how the ship went down.--ARCHER GURNEY.
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Margaret started as if those gentle tones had been a thunderclap.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The Christmas holidays had come to an end, and the home party were again alone, when early in the forenoon, there was a tap at the drawing-room door, and Dr. Spencer called, “Ethel, can you come and speak to me?”
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading ‘Twas a long doubt; we never heard Exactly how the ship went down.--ARCHER GURNEY.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
partnounUS /pɑːrt/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
partynounUS /ˈpɑːrti/
an organization to gain political power
From this reading The Christmas holidays had come to an end, and the home party were again alone, when early in the forenoon, there was a tap at the drawing-room door, and Dr. Spencer called, “Ethel, can you come and speak to me?”
rebelnounUS /ˈrebəl/
“Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Go! go, Ethel,” she said, “don’t keep me waiting.”
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Go! go, Ethel,” she said, “don’t keep me waiting.”
shipverbUS /ʃɪp/
transport commercially
From this reading ‘Twas a long doubt; we never heard Exactly how the ship went down.--ARCHER GURNEY.
speakverbUS /spiːk/
express in speech
From this reading The Christmas holidays had come to an end, and the home party were again alone, when early in the forenoon, there was a tap at the drawing-room door, and Dr. Spencer called, “Ethel, can you come and speak to me?”
SpencernounUS /ˈspensər/
English philosopher and sociologist who applied the theory of natural selection to human societies (1820-1903)
From this reading The Christmas holidays had come to an end, and the home party were again alone, when early in the forenoon, there was a tap at the drawing-room door, and Dr. Spencer called, “Ethel, can you come and speak to me?”
spiritsnounUS /ˈspɪrɪts/
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
startedverbUS /ˈstɑːrtɪd/
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Margaret started as if those gentle tones had been a thunderclap.
tapverbUS /tæp/
cut a female screw thread with a tap
From this reading The Christmas holidays had come to an end, and the home party were again alone, when early in the forenoon, there was a tap at the drawing-room door, and Dr. Spencer called, “Ethel, can you come and speak to me?”
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ‘Twas a long doubt; we never heard Exactly how the ship went down.--ARCHER GURNEY.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading The Christmas holidays had come to an end, and the home party were again alone, when early in the forenoon, there was a tap at the drawing-room door, and Dr. Spencer called, “Ethel, can you come and speak to me?”
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Margaret started as if those gentle tones had been a thunderclap.
thunderclapnoun
a single sharp crash of thunder
From this reading Margaret started as if those gentle tones had been a thunderclap.
tidingsnounUS /ˈtaɪdɪŋz/
information about recent and important events
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
tonesnounUS /toʊnz/
plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice
From this reading Margaret started as if those gentle tones had been a thunderclap.
Twas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Twas a long doubt; we never heard Exactly how the ship went down.--ARCHER GURNEY.
waitingnounUS /ˈweɪtɪŋ/
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading “Go! go, Ethel,” she said, “don’t keep me waiting.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Christmas holidays had come to an end, and the home party were again alone, when early in the forenoon, there was a tap at the drawing-room door, and Dr. Spencer called, “Ethel, can you come and speak to me?”
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading ‘Twas a long doubt; we never heard Exactly how the ship went down.--ARCHER GURNEY.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading ‘Twas a long doubt; we never heard Exactly how the ship went down.--ARCHER GURNEY.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Christmas holidays had come to an end, and the home party were again alone, when early in the forenoon, there was a tap at the drawing-room door, and Dr. Spencer called, “Ethel, can you come and speak to me?”
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
worseadjectiveUS /wɜːrs/
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The tidings came at last, came when the heart-sickness of hope deferred had faded into the worse heart-sickness of fear deferred, and when spirits had been fain to rebel, and declare that they would be almost glad to part with the hope that but kept alive despair.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading The Christmas holidays had come to an end, and the home party were again alone, when early in the forenoon, there was a tap at the drawing-room door, and Dr. Spencer called, “Ethel, can you come and speak to me?”
