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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 But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Presently, she gracefully and uselessly smoothed her hair from the left temple with the backs of her fingers, of course finishing the gesture prettily by tucking in a hairpin tighter above the nape of her neck.
all
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From this reading "Did you come all the way from Italy just to sell our old house, Mr. Corliss?"
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was as if his bending near her had been to rouge her.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then, with recovered coolness, she asked:
audibly
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From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
backs
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From this reading Presently, she gracefully and uselessly smoothed her hair from the left temple with the backs of her fingers, of course finishing the gesture prettily by tucking in a hairpin tighter above the nape of her neck.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was as if his bending near her had been to rouge her.
bending
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From this reading It was as if his bending near her had been to rouge her.
breath
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From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Presently, she gracefully and uselessly smoothed her hair from the left temple with the backs of her fingers, of course finishing the gesture prettily by tucking in a hairpin tighter above the nape of her neck.
cannot
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From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Did you come all the way from Italy just to sell our old house, Mr. Corliss?"
coolness
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From this reading Then, with recovered coolness, she asked:
Cora
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From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
Corliss
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From this reading "Did you come all the way from Italy just to sell our old house, Mr. Corliss?"
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Presently, she gracefully and uselessly smoothed her hair from the left temple with the backs of her fingers, of course finishing the gesture prettily by tucking in a hairpin tighter above the nape of her neck.
deep
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From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
delight
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From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
dialogues
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From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
Didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "Did you come all the way from Italy just to sell our old house, Mr. Corliss?"
disliked
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From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
effect
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From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
fingers
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From this reading Presently, she gracefully and uselessly smoothed her hair from the left temple with the backs of her fingers, of course finishing the gesture prettily by tucking in a hairpin tighter above the nape of her neck.
finishing
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From this reading Presently, she gracefully and uselessly smoothed her hair from the left temple with the backs of her fingers, of course finishing the gesture prettily by tucking in a hairpin tighter above the nape of her neck.
followed
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From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
fraught
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Presently, she gracefully and uselessly smoothed her hair from the left temple with the backs of her fingers, of course finishing the gesture prettily by tucking in a hairpin tighter above the nape of her neck.
gesture
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From this reading Presently, she gracefully and uselessly smoothed her hair from the left temple with the backs of her fingers, of course finishing the gesture prettily by tucking in a hairpin tighter above the nape of her neck.
gracefully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently, she gracefully and uselessly smoothed her hair from the left temple with the backs of her fingers, of course finishing the gesture prettily by tucking in a hairpin tighter above the nape of her neck.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was as if his bending near her had been to rouge her.
hair
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From this reading Presently, she gracefully and uselessly smoothed her hair from the left temple with the backs of her fingers, of course finishing the gesture prettily by tucking in a hairpin tighter above the nape of her neck.
hairpin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently, she gracefully and uselessly smoothed her hair from the left temple with the backs of her fingers, of course finishing the gesture prettily by tucking in a hairpin tighter above the nape of her neck.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was as if his bending near her had been to rouge her.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was as if his bending near her had been to rouge her.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Did you come all the way from Italy just to sell our old house, Mr. Corliss?"
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was as if his bending near her had been to rouge her.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was as if his bending near her had been to rouge her.
Italy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Did you come all the way from Italy just to sell our old house, Mr. Corliss?"
just
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From this reading "Did you come all the way from Italy just to sell our old house, Mr. Corliss?"
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Presently, she gracefully and uselessly smoothed her hair from the left temple with the backs of her fingers, of course finishing the gesture prettily by tucking in a hairpin tighter above the nape of her neck.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Did you come all the way from Italy just to sell our old house, Mr. Corliss?"
nape
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From this reading Presently, she gracefully and uselessly smoothed her hair from the left temple with the backs of her fingers, of course finishing the gesture prettily by tucking in a hairpin tighter above the nape of her neck.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if his bending near her had been to rouge her.
neck
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From this reading Presently, she gracefully and uselessly smoothed her hair from the left temple with the backs of her fingers, of course finishing the gesture prettily by tucking in a hairpin tighter above the nape of her neck.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Did you come all the way from Italy just to sell our old house, Mr. Corliss?"
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "Did you come all the way from Italy just to sell our old house, Mr. Corliss?"
Presently
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From this reading Presently, she gracefully and uselessly smoothed her hair from the left temple with the backs of her fingers, of course finishing the gesture prettily by tucking in a hairpin tighter above the nape of her neck.
prettily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently, she gracefully and uselessly smoothed her hair from the left temple with the backs of her fingers, of course finishing the gesture prettily by tucking in a hairpin tighter above the nape of her neck.
recovered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, with recovered coolness, she asked:
rouge
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From this reading It was as if his bending near her had been to rouge her.
said
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From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
sell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Did you come all the way from Italy just to sell our old house, Mr. Corliss?"
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
shut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
signal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
silences
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From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
smoothed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently, she gracefully and uselessly smoothed her hair from the left temple with the backs of her fingers, of course finishing the gesture prettily by tucking in a hairpin tighter above the nape of her neck.
teeth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
temple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently, she gracefully and uselessly smoothed her hair from the left temple with the backs of her fingers, of course finishing the gesture prettily by tucking in a hairpin tighter above the nape of her neck.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
then
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From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
tighter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently, she gracefully and uselessly smoothed her hair from the left temple with the backs of her fingers, of course finishing the gesture prettily by tucking in a hairpin tighter above the nape of her neck.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was as if his bending near her had been to rouge her.
tucking
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From this reading Presently, she gracefully and uselessly smoothed her hair from the left temple with the backs of her fingers, of course finishing the gesture prettily by tucking in a hairpin tighter above the nape of her neck.
uncharacteristic
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From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
uselessly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently, she gracefully and uselessly smoothed her hair from the left temple with the backs of her fingers, of course finishing the gesture prettily by tucking in a hairpin tighter above the nape of her neck.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was as if his bending near her had been to rouge her.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Did you come all the way from Italy just to sell our old house, Mr. Corliss?"
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading But it cannot be said that she disliked his effect upon her; for the deep breath she drew in audibly, through her shut teeth, was a signal of delight; and then followed one of those fraught silences not uncharacteristic of dialogues with Cora.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Did you come all the way from Italy just to sell our old house, Mr. Corliss?"