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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 "Damn strange," he muttered as he touched a button beneath the edge of his desk.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
Ask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ask Mr. Bince if he will be good enough to step in here a moment, please," said Compton; and a moment later, when Harold Bince entered, the older man leaned back in his chair and motioned the other to be seated.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ask Mr. Bince if he will be good enough to step in here a moment, please," said Compton; and a moment later, when Harold Bince entered, the older man leaned back in his chair and motioned the other to be seated.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Ask Mr. Bince if he will be good enough to step in here a moment, please," said Compton; and a moment later, when Harold Bince entered, the older man leaned back in his chair and motioned the other to be seated.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading "Damn strange," he muttered as he touched a button beneath the edge of his desk.
Bince
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ask Mr. Bince if he will be good enough to step in here a moment, please," said Compton; and a moment later, when Harold Bince entered, the older man leaned back in his chair and motioned the other to be seated.
boy
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From this reading A boy entered the room.
button
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From this reading "Damn strange," he muttered as he touched a button beneath the edge of his desk.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ask Mr. Bince if he will be good enough to step in here a moment, please," said Compton; and a moment later, when Harold Bince entered, the older man leaned back in his chair and motioned the other to be seated.
chewing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
cigar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
Company
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From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
compared
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From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
Compton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
Damn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Damn strange," he muttered as he touched a button beneath the edge of his desk.
desk
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From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
edge
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From this reading "Damn strange," he muttered as he touched a button beneath the edge of his desk.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ask Mr. Bince if he will be good enough to step in here a moment, please," said Compton; and a moment later, when Harold Bince entered, the older man leaned back in his chair and motioned the other to be seated.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A boy entered the room.
fingers
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From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
general
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Ask Mr. Bince if he will be good enough to step in here a moment, please," said Compton; and a moment later, when Harold Bince entered, the older man leaned back in his chair and motioned the other to be seated.
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
HAROLD
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From this reading HAROLD PLAYS THE RAVEN.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Ask Mr. Bince if he will be good enough to step in here a moment, please," said Compton; and a moment later, when Harold Bince entered, the older man leaned back in his chair and motioned the other to be seated.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Ask Mr. Bince if he will be good enough to step in here a moment, please," said Compton; and a moment later, when Harold Bince entered, the older man leaned back in his chair and motioned the other to be seated.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
International
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
iron-gray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ask Mr. Bince if he will be good enough to step in here a moment, please," said Compton; and a moment later, when Harold Bince entered, the older man leaned back in his chair and motioned the other to be seated.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
leaned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ask Mr. Bince if he will be good enough to step in here a moment, please," said Compton; and a moment later, when Harold Bince entered, the older man leaned back in his chair and motioned the other to be seated.
Machine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ask Mr. Bince if he will be good enough to step in here a moment, please," said Compton; and a moment later, when Harold Bince entered, the older man leaned back in his chair and motioned the other to be seated.
manager
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
Mason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ask Mr. Bince if he will be good enough to step in here a moment, please," said Compton; and a moment later, when Harold Bince entered, the older man leaned back in his chair and motioned the other to be seated.
motionedverbUS /ˈmoʊʃənd/
made a gesture telling someone to move or come closer
From this reading "Ask Mr. Bince if he will be good enough to step in here a moment, please," said Compton; and a moment later, when Harold Bince entered, the older man leaned back in his chair and motioned the other to be seated.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ask Mr. Bince if he will be good enough to step in here a moment, please," said Compton; and a moment later, when Harold Bince entered, the older man leaned back in his chair and motioned the other to be seated.
mutteredverbUS /ˈmʌtərd/
spoke in a low voice that was difficult to hear
From this reading "Damn strange," he muttered as he touched a button beneath the edge of his desk.
occasionally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
older
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ask Mr. Bince if he will be good enough to step in here a moment, please," said Compton; and a moment later, when Harold Bince entered, the older man leaned back in his chair and motioned the other to be seated.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ask Mr. Bince if he will be good enough to step in here a moment, please," said Compton; and a moment later, when Harold Bince entered, the older man leaned back in his chair and motioned the other to be seated.
PLAYS
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From this reading HAROLD PLAYS THE RAVEN.
please
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ask Mr. Bince if he will be good enough to step in here a moment, please," said Compton; and a moment later, when Harold Bince entered, the older man leaned back in his chair and motioned the other to be seated.
president
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
private
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
RAVEN
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From this reading HAROLD PLAYS THE RAVEN.
recompared
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From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A boy entered the room.
runningnounUS /ˈrunning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ask Mr. Bince if he will be good enough to step in here a moment, please," said Compton; and a moment later, when Harold Bince entered, the older man leaned back in his chair and motioned the other to be seated.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
seated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ask Mr. Bince if he will be good enough to step in here a moment, please," said Compton; and a moment later, when Harold Bince entered, the older man leaned back in his chair and motioned the other to be seated.
statements
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Ask Mr. Bince if he will be good enough to step in here a moment, please," said Compton; and a moment later, when Harold Bince entered, the older man leaned back in his chair and motioned the other to be seated.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Damn strange," he muttered as he touched a button beneath the edge of his desk.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HAROLD PLAYS THE RAVEN.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Ask Mr. Bince if he will be good enough to step in here a moment, please," said Compton; and a moment later, when Harold Bince entered, the older man leaned back in his chair and motioned the other to be seated.
touched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Damn strange," he muttered as he touched a button beneath the edge of his desk.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
unlighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading "Ask Mr. Bince if he will be good enough to step in here a moment, please," said Compton; and a moment later, when Harold Bince entered, the older man leaned back in his chair and motioned the other to be seated.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Ask Mr. Bince if he will be good enough to step in here a moment, please," said Compton; and a moment later, when Harold Bince entered, the older man leaned back in his chair and motioned the other to be seated.
works
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mason Compton, president and general manager, sat in his private office in the works of the International Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers through his iron-gray hair as he compared and recompared two statements which lay upon the desk before him.
