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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 "Oh, I see," he said, with a mirthless smile, "this is supposed to be a joke."
affectation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We thought all the time you was a Bassett."
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "And if I had been?" inquired Hall, and Isham looked up from where he was untying the ropes.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
Bassett
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We thought all the time you was a Bassett."
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Oh, I see," he said, with a mirthless smile, "this is supposed to be a joke."
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "And if I had been?" inquired Hall, and Isham looked up from where he was untying the ropes.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That's the idea," responded Meshackatee, "but it didn't work out.
evident
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
glanced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
gloss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
good-humor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "And if I had been?" inquired Hall, and Isham looked up from where he was untying the ropes.
Hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And if I had been?" inquired Hall, and Isham looked up from where he was untying the ropes.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Oh, I see," he said, with a mirthless smile, "this is supposed to be a joke."
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That's the idea," responded Meshackatee, "but it didn't work out.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "And if I had been?" inquired Hall, and Isham looked up from where he was untying the ropes.
inquirednounUS /ˈinquired/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "And if I had been?" inquired Hall, and Isham looked up from where he was untying the ropes.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Oh, I see," he said, with a mirthless smile, "this is supposed to be a joke."
Isham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And if I had been?" inquired Hall, and Isham looked up from where he was untying the ropes.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
jest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
joke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I see," he said, with a mirthless smile, "this is supposed to be a joke."
jovial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "And if I had been?" inquired Hall, and Isham looked up from where he was untying the ropes.
Meshackatee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
mirthless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I see," he said, with a mirthless smile, "this is supposed to be a joke."
misdemeanors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
narrowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
NEUTRALS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
Oh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I see," he said, with a mirthless smile, "this is supposed to be a joke."
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That's the idea," responded Meshackatee, "but it didn't work out.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
purpose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
responded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That's the idea," responded Meshackatee, "but it didn't work out.
ropes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And if I had been?" inquired Hall, and Isham looked up from where he was untying the ropes.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I see," he said, with a mirthless smile, "this is supposed to be a joke."
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
Scarboroughs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I see," he said, with a mirthless smile, "this is supposed to be a joke."
smile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I see," he said, with a mirthless smile, "this is supposed to be a joke."
supposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I see," he said, with a mirthless smile, "this is supposed to be a joke."
That's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That's the idea," responded Meshackatee, "but it didn't work out.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Oh, I see," he said, with a mirthless smile, "this is supposed to be a joke."
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We thought all the time you was a Bassett."
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We thought all the time you was a Bassett."
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
untying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And if I had been?" inquired Hall, and Isham looked up from where he was untying the ropes.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And if I had been?" inquired Hall, and Isham looked up from where he was untying the ropes.
victim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We thought all the time you was a Bassett."
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading "And if I had been?" inquired Hall, and Isham looked up from where he was untying the ropes.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE NEUTRALS It was the evident purpose of the Scarboroughs to gloss over their misdemeanors by an affectation of jovial good-humor, but the victim of the jest sat back with narrowed eyes while he glanced from them to Meshackatee.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That's the idea," responded Meshackatee, "but it didn't work out.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading We thought all the time you was a Bassett."
