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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 RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
Adam
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From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
apparently
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From this reading A book which she had apparently been reading had fallen neglected onto the floor.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The color came and went in her cheeks, as though, indeed, she were more sensitive than her years.
bare
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From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Her delicate, expressive features were more than once illuminated with joy, only to be clouded, a moment later, with disappointment.
beautiful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A book which she had apparently been reading had fallen neglected onto the floor.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A book which she had apparently been reading had fallen neglected onto the floor.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
came
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From this reading The color came and went in her cheeks, as though, indeed, she were more sensitive than her years.
chamber
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From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
cheeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The color came and went in her cheeks, as though, indeed, she were more sensitive than her years.
close
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From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
clouded
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From this reading Her delicate, expressive features were more than once illuminated with joy, only to be clouded, a moment later, with disappointment.
color
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From this reading The color came and went in her cheeks, as though, indeed, she were more sensitive than her years.
command
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From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
delicate
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From this reading Her delicate, expressive features were more than once illuminated with joy, only to be clouded, a moment later, with disappointment.
disappointmentnounUS /ˈdisappointment/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Her delicate, expressive features were more than once illuminated with joy, only to be clouded, a moment later, with disappointment.
expectant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
expressive
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From this reading Her delicate, expressive features were more than once illuminated with joy, only to be clouded, a moment later, with disappointment.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
fallen
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From this reading A book which she had apparently been reading had fallen neglected onto the floor.
features
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From this reading Her delicate, expressive features were more than once illuminated with joy, only to be clouded, a moment later, with disappointment.
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A book which she had apparently been reading had fallen neglected onto the floor.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
gray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A book which she had apparently been reading had fallen neglected onto the floor.
HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her delicate, expressive features were more than once illuminated with joy, only to be clouded, a moment later, with disappointment.
houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
illuminated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her delicate, expressive features were more than once illuminated with joy, only to be clouded, a moment later, with disappointment.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The color came and went in her cheeks, as though, indeed, she were more sensitive than her years.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
joy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her delicate, expressive features were more than once illuminated with joy, only to be clouded, a moment later, with disappointment.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
later
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From this reading Her delicate, expressive features were more than once illuminated with joy, only to be clouded, a moment later, with disappointment.
moment
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From this reading Her delicate, expressive features were more than once illuminated with joy, only to be clouded, a moment later, with disappointment.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her delicate, expressive features were more than once illuminated with joy, only to be clouded, a moment later, with disappointment.
neglected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A book which she had apparently been reading had fallen neglected onto the floor.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
once
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From this reading Her delicate, expressive features were more than once illuminated with joy, only to be clouded, a moment later, with disappointment.
only
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From this reading Her delicate, expressive features were more than once illuminated with joy, only to be clouded, a moment later, with disappointment.
ontoprepositionUS /ˈɑːntuː/
moving to a position on a surface
From this reading A book which she had apparently been reading had fallen neglected onto the floor.
passers-by
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From this reading Steadfastly she watched the passers-by.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
reading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A book which she had apparently been reading had fallen neglected onto the floor.
row
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
RUTH
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
sensitive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The color came and went in her cheeks, as though, indeed, she were more sensitive than her years.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A book which she had apparently been reading had fallen neglected onto the floor.
somber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
Steadfastly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Steadfastly she watched the passers-by.
stone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
Street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Her delicate, expressive features were more than once illuminated with joy, only to be clouded, a moment later, with disappointment.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The color came and went in her cheeks, as though, indeed, she were more sensitive than her years.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
topmost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
uncurtained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
view
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
watched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Steadfastly she watched the passers-by.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The color came and went in her cheeks, as though, indeed, she were more sensitive than her years.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her delicate, expressive features were more than once illuminated with joy, only to be clouded, a moment later, with disappointment.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading RUTH In the topmost chamber of the last of a row of somber gray stone houses in Adam Street a girl with a thin but beautiful face and large, expectant eyes sat close to the bare, uncurtained window, from which it was possible to command a view of the street below.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The color came and went in her cheeks, as though, indeed, she were more sensitive than her years.