adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I seemed bound to be the prey of a divided duty.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
askedverbUS /æskt/
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
attentionnounUS /əˈtenʃən/
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I seemed bound to be the prey of a divided duty.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
boundadjectiveUS /baʊnd/
confined by bonds
From this reading I seemed bound to be the prey of a divided duty.
boxnounUS /bɑːks/
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
circumstancesnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəmstænsəz/
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading I could not decide, so I resolved to be guided by circumstances.
closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
completeverbUS /kəmˈpliːt/
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
contemplatedverbUS /ˈkɑːntəmpleɪtɪd/
past form of “contemplate” — look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I could not decide, so I resolved to be guided by circumstances.
crossedadjectiveUS /krɔːst/
placed crosswise
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
decideverbUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪd/
reach, make, or come to a decision about something
From this reading I could not decide, so I resolved to be guided by circumstances.
detailedadjectiveUS /dɪˈteɪld/
developed or executed with care and in minute detail
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
dividedadjectiveUS /dɪˈvaɪdɪd/
separated into parts or pieces
From this reading I seemed bound to be the prey of a divided duty.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading I seemed bound to be the prey of a divided duty.
eagernessnounUS /ˈiːɡərnəs/
a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
establishverbUS /ɪˈstæblɪʃ/
set up or found
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
examinationnounUS /ɪɡˌzæməˈneɪʃən/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
experimentsnounUS /ɪkˈsperəmənts/
plural of “experiment” — the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
greateradjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtər/
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
guidedadjectiveUS /ˈɡaɪdəd/
subject to guidance or control especially after launching
From this reading I could not decide, so I resolved to be guided by circumstances.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
holdverbUS /hoʊld/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I seemed bound to be the prey of a divided duty.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
inhabitedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈhæbətəd/
having inhabitants; lived in
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
inquirynounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪriː/
a search for knowledge
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
interestedadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəstɪd/
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
MissesnounUS /ˈmɪsəz/
plural of “miss” — a young female
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I could not decide, so I resolved to be guided by circumstances.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
occupyverbUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪ/
keep busy with
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I seemed bound to be the prey of a divided duty.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
Packard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
passagenounUS /ˈpæsədʒ/
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
planverbUS /plæn/
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
preynounUS /preɪ/
a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence
From this reading I seemed bound to be the prey of a divided duty.
proceedverbUS /prəˈsiːd/
continue talking
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
Quinlan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
recoveredadjectiveUS /rəˈkʌvərd/
freed from illness or injury
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
resolvedadjectiveUS /riˈzɑːlvd/
determined
From this reading I could not decide, so I resolved to be guided by circumstances.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
secretsnounUS /ˈsiːkrəts/
plural of “secret” — something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading I seemed bound to be the prey of a divided duty.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
sitverbUS /sɪt/
be seated
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I could not decide, so I resolved to be guided by circumstances.
startverbUS /stɑːrt/
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
streetnounUS /striːt/
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
studynounUS /ˈstʌdi/
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I seemed bound to be the prey of a divided duty.
theorynounUS /ˈθɪri/
a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I seemed bound to be the prey of a divided duty.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
waitverbUS /weɪt/
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
