adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For Mostyn the week which ensued after his wife's secret elopement was a period of sheer mental torture.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading For Mostyn the week which ensued after his wife's secret elopement was a period of sheer mental torture.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Every minute he expected the startling tidings to reach his friends and associates.
associatesnounUS /əˈsoʊsiəts/
plural of “associate” — a person who joins with others in some activity or endeavor
From this reading Every minute he expected the startling tidings to reach his friends and associates.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Every morning at breakfast he studied the crafty and sullen face of old Mitchell and the swarthy visages of the servants to see if suspicions of the truth were dawning.
banknounUS /bæŋk/
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading At the bank he tried to overhear the conversations of the bookkeepers, sometimes fancying that a burst of low laughter or a whispered colloquy had him for their incentive.
bookkeepersnounUS /ˈbʊkkiːpərz/
plural of “bookkeeper” — someone who records the transactions of a business
From this reading At the bank he tried to overhear the conversations of the bookkeepers, sometimes fancying that a burst of low laughter or a whispered colloquy had him for their incentive.
breakfastverbUS /ˈbrekfəst/
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Every morning at breakfast he studied the crafty and sullen face of old Mitchell and the swarthy visages of the servants to see if suspicions of the truth were dawning.
burstverbUS /bɜːrst/
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading At the bank he tried to overhear the conversations of the bookkeepers, sometimes fancying that a burst of low laughter or a whispered colloquy had him for their incentive.
colloquynounUS /ˈkɑːləkwi/
a conversation especially a formal one
From this reading At the bank he tried to overhear the conversations of the bookkeepers, sometimes fancying that a burst of low laughter or a whispered colloquy had him for their incentive.
conversationsnounUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃənz/
plural of “conversation” — the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading At the bank he tried to overhear the conversations of the bookkeepers, sometimes fancying that a burst of low laughter or a whispered colloquy had him for their incentive.
craftyadjectiveUS /ˈkræfti/
marked by skill in deception
From this reading Every morning at breakfast he studied the crafty and sullen face of old Mitchell and the swarthy visages of the servants to see if suspicions of the truth were dawning.
dawningnounUS /ˈdɔːnɪŋ/
the first light of day
From this reading Every morning at breakfast he studied the crafty and sullen face of old Mitchell and the swarthy visages of the servants to see if suspicions of the truth were dawning.
elopementnoun
the act of running away with a lover (usually to get married)
From this reading For Mostyn the week which ensued after his wife's secret elopement was a period of sheer mental torture.
ensuedverbUS /ɪnˈsuːd/
past form of “ensue” — issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc.); end
From this reading For Mostyn the week which ensued after his wife's secret elopement was a period of sheer mental torture.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every minute he expected the startling tidings to reach his friends and associates.
expectedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspektəd/
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading Every minute he expected the startling tidings to reach his friends and associates.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Every morning at breakfast he studied the crafty and sullen face of old Mitchell and the swarthy visages of the servants to see if suspicions of the truth were dawning.
fancying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the bank he tried to overhear the conversations of the bookkeepers, sometimes fancying that a burst of low laughter or a whispered colloquy had him for their incentive.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For Mostyn the week which ensued after his wife's secret elopement was a period of sheer mental torture.
friendsnounUS /frendz/
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Every minute he expected the startling tidings to reach his friends and associates.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At the bank he tried to overhear the conversations of the bookkeepers, sometimes fancying that a burst of low laughter or a whispered colloquy had him for their incentive.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Every minute he expected the startling tidings to reach his friends and associates.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At the bank he tried to overhear the conversations of the bookkeepers, sometimes fancying that a burst of low laughter or a whispered colloquy had him for their incentive.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For Mostyn the week which ensued after his wife's secret elopement was a period of sheer mental torture.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Every morning at breakfast he studied the crafty and sullen face of old Mitchell and the swarthy visages of the servants to see if suspicions of the truth were dawning.
incentivenounUS /ˌɪnˈsentɪv/
a positive motivational influence
From this reading At the bank he tried to overhear the conversations of the bookkeepers, sometimes fancying that a burst of low laughter or a whispered colloquy had him for their incentive.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He was sure that it was little less than a miracle that the matter had not leaked out.
laughternounUS /ˈlæftər/
the sound of laughing
From this reading At the bank he tried to overhear the conversations of the bookkeepers, sometimes fancying that a burst of low laughter or a whispered colloquy had him for their incentive.
leakedverbUS /liːkt/
past form of “leak” — tell anonymously
From this reading He was sure that it was little less than a miracle that the matter had not leaked out.
lessadverbUS /les/
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading He was sure that it was little less than a miracle that the matter had not leaked out.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was sure that it was little less than a miracle that the matter had not leaked out.
lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading At the bank he tried to overhear the conversations of the bookkeepers, sometimes fancying that a burst of low laughter or a whispered colloquy had him for their incentive.
matternounUS /ˈmætər/
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading He was sure that it was little less than a miracle that the matter had not leaked out.
mentaladjectiveUS /ˈmentəl/
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading For Mostyn the week which ensued after his wife's secret elopement was a period of sheer mental torture.
minutenounUS /ˈmɪnət/
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading Every minute he expected the startling tidings to reach his friends and associates.
miraclenounUS /ˈmɪrəkəl/
any amazing or wonderful occurrence
From this reading He was sure that it was little less than a miracle that the matter had not leaked out.
MitchellnounUS /ˈmɪtʃəl/
English aeronautical engineer (1895-1937)
From this reading Every morning at breakfast he studied the crafty and sullen face of old Mitchell and the swarthy visages of the servants to see if suspicions of the truth were dawning.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Every morning at breakfast he studied the crafty and sullen face of old Mitchell and the swarthy visages of the servants to see if suspicions of the truth were dawning.
Mostyn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For Mostyn the week which ensued after his wife's secret elopement was a period of sheer mental torture.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was sure that it was little less than a miracle that the matter had not leaked out.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For Mostyn the week which ensued after his wife's secret elopement was a period of sheer mental torture.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Every morning at breakfast he studied the crafty and sullen face of old Mitchell and the swarthy visages of the servants to see if suspicions of the truth were dawning.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading At the bank he tried to overhear the conversations of the bookkeepers, sometimes fancying that a burst of low laughter or a whispered colloquy had him for their incentive.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He was sure that it was little less than a miracle that the matter had not leaked out.
overhearverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhiːr/
hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
From this reading At the bank he tried to overhear the conversations of the bookkeepers, sometimes fancying that a burst of low laughter or a whispered colloquy had him for their incentive.
periodnounUS /ˈpɪriəd/
an amount of time
From this reading For Mostyn the week which ensued after his wife's secret elopement was a period of sheer mental torture.
reachverbUS /riːtʃ/
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Every minute he expected the startling tidings to reach his friends and associates.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading For Mostyn the week which ensued after his wife's secret elopement was a period of sheer mental torture.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Every morning at breakfast he studied the crafty and sullen face of old Mitchell and the swarthy visages of the servants to see if suspicions of the truth were dawning.
servantsnounUS /ˈsɜːrvənts/
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading Every morning at breakfast he studied the crafty and sullen face of old Mitchell and the swarthy visages of the servants to see if suspicions of the truth were dawning.
sheeradjectiveUS /ʃɪr/
complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers
From this reading For Mostyn the week which ensued after his wife's secret elopement was a period of sheer mental torture.
sometimesadverbUS /səmˈtaɪmz/
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading At the bank he tried to overhear the conversations of the bookkeepers, sometimes fancying that a burst of low laughter or a whispered colloquy had him for their incentive.
startlingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading Every minute he expected the startling tidings to reach his friends and associates.
studiedadjectiveUS /ˈstʌdid/
produced or marked by conscious design or premeditation
From this reading Every morning at breakfast he studied the crafty and sullen face of old Mitchell and the swarthy visages of the servants to see if suspicions of the truth were dawning.
sullenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌlən/
showing a brooding ill humor
From this reading Every morning at breakfast he studied the crafty and sullen face of old Mitchell and the swarthy visages of the servants to see if suspicions of the truth were dawning.
sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading He was sure that it was little less than a miracle that the matter had not leaked out.
suspicionsnounUS /səˈspɪʃənz/
plural of “suspicion” — an impression that something might be the case
From this reading Every morning at breakfast he studied the crafty and sullen face of old Mitchell and the swarthy visages of the servants to see if suspicions of the truth were dawning.
swarthyadjectiveUS /ˈswɔːrði/
naturally having skin of a dark color
From this reading Every morning at breakfast he studied the crafty and sullen face of old Mitchell and the swarthy visages of the servants to see if suspicions of the truth were dawning.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He was sure that it was little less than a miracle that the matter had not leaked out.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At the bank he tried to overhear the conversations of the bookkeepers, sometimes fancying that a burst of low laughter or a whispered colloquy had him for their incentive.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For Mostyn the week which ensued after his wife's secret elopement was a period of sheer mental torture.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading At the bank he tried to overhear the conversations of the bookkeepers, sometimes fancying that a burst of low laughter or a whispered colloquy had him for their incentive.
tidingsnounUS /ˈtaɪdɪŋz/
information about recent and important events
From this reading Every minute he expected the startling tidings to reach his friends and associates.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Every minute he expected the startling tidings to reach his friends and associates.
tortureverbUS /ˈtɔːrtʃər/
torment emotionally or mentally
From this reading For Mostyn the week which ensued after his wife's secret elopement was a period of sheer mental torture.
triedadjectiveUS /traɪd/
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading At the bank he tried to overhear the conversations of the bookkeepers, sometimes fancying that a burst of low laughter or a whispered colloquy had him for their incentive.
truthnounUS /truːθ/
a fact that has been verified
From this reading Every morning at breakfast he studied the crafty and sullen face of old Mitchell and the swarthy visages of the servants to see if suspicions of the truth were dawning.
visages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every morning at breakfast he studied the crafty and sullen face of old Mitchell and the swarthy visages of the servants to see if suspicions of the truth were dawning.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For Mostyn the week which ensued after his wife's secret elopement was a period of sheer mental torture.
weeknounUS /wiːk/
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading For Mostyn the week which ensued after his wife's secret elopement was a period of sheer mental torture.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Every morning at breakfast he studied the crafty and sullen face of old Mitchell and the swarthy visages of the servants to see if suspicions of the truth were dawning.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For Mostyn the week which ensued after his wife's secret elopement was a period of sheer mental torture.
whisperedadjectiveUS /ˈwɪspərd/
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading At the bank he tried to overhear the conversations of the bookkeepers, sometimes fancying that a burst of low laughter or a whispered colloquy had him for their incentive.
wife'snounUS /waɪfs/
possessive form of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading For Mostyn the week which ensued after his wife's secret elopement was a period of sheer mental torture.
