adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The news of Rosanna’s disappearance had, as it appeared, spread among the out-of-door servants.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
answeredverbUS /ˈænsərd/
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading “He has been born and bred on the coast,” I answered.
appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The news of Rosanna’s disappearance had, as it appeared, spread among the out-of-door servants.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The news of Rosanna’s disappearance had, as it appeared, spread among the out-of-door servants.
askedverbUS /æskt/
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Does this boy know the coast hereabouts?” asked Sergeant Cuff.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “He has been born and bred on the coast,” I answered.
bornadjectiveUS /bɔːrn/
brought into existence
From this reading “He has been born and bred on the coast,” I answered.
boynounUS /bɔɪ/
a youthful male person
From this reading “Does this boy know the coast hereabouts?” asked Sergeant Cuff.
bredverbUS /bred/
inflected form of “breed” — call forth
From this reading “He has been born and bred on the coast,” I answered.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Duffy was certain that the girl had passed him in the fir-plantation, not walking, but _running_, in the direction of the sea-shore.
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Duffy was certain that the girl had passed him in the fir-plantation, not walking, but _running_, in the direction of the sea-shore.
coastnounUS /koʊst/
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading “Does this boy know the coast hereabouts?” asked Sergeant Cuff.
CuffnounUS /kʌf/
the lap consisting of a turned-back hem encircling the end of the sleeve or leg
From this reading “Does this boy know the coast hereabouts?” asked Sergeant Cuff.
directionnounUS /dərˈekʃən/
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Duffy was certain that the girl had passed him in the fir-plantation, not walking, but _running_, in the direction of the sea-shore.
disappearancenounUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrəns/
the act of leaving secretly or without explanation
From this reading The news of Rosanna’s disappearance had, as it appeared, spread among the out-of-door servants.
Doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Does this boy know the coast hereabouts?” asked Sergeant Cuff.
Duffy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
employedadjectiveUS /emˈplɔɪd/
having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
fir-plantation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Duffy was certain that the girl had passed him in the fir-plantation, not walking, but _running_, in the direction of the sea-shore.
gardennounUS /ˈɡɑːrdən/
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
girlnounUS /ɡɜːrl/
a young female
From this reading Duffy was certain that the girl had passed him in the fir-plantation, not walking, but _running_, in the direction of the sea-shore.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The news of Rosanna’s disappearance had, as it appeared, spread among the out-of-door servants.
half-an-hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
handsnounUS /hændz/
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “He has been born and bred on the coast,” I answered.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “He has been born and bred on the coast,” I answered.
hereaboutsadverbUS /ˈhɪrəbaʊts/
in this general vicinity
From this reading “Does this boy know the coast hereabouts?” asked Sergeant Cuff.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Duffy was certain that the girl had passed him in the fir-plantation, not walking, but _running_, in the direction of the sea-shore.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “He has been born and bred on the coast,” I answered.
impnounUS /ɪmp/
(folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
inquiriesnounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪəriz/
plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The news of Rosanna’s disappearance had, as it appeared, spread among the out-of-door servants.
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “Does this boy know the coast hereabouts?” asked Sergeant Cuff.
laidadjectiveUS /leɪd/
set down according to a plan
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
latelyadverbUS /ˈleɪtli/
in the recent past
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
newsnounUS /nuːz/
information about recent and important events
From this reading The news of Rosanna’s disappearance had, as it appeared, spread among the out-of-door servants.
nicknamedverbUS /ˈnɪkneɪmd/
past form of “nickname” — give a nickname to
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Duffy was certain that the girl had passed him in the fir-plantation, not walking, but _running_, in the direction of the sea-shore.
occasionallyadverbUS /əˈkeɪʒənəli/
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The news of Rosanna’s disappearance had, as it appeared, spread among the out-of-door servants.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
out-of-door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The news of Rosanna’s disappearance had, as it appeared, spread among the out-of-door servants.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Duffy was certain that the girl had passed him in the fir-plantation, not walking, but _running_, in the direction of the sea-shore.
quickadjectiveUS /kwɪk/
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
Rosanna
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
Rosanna's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The news of Rosanna’s disappearance had, as it appeared, spread among the out-of-door servants.
runningadjectiveUS /ˈrʌnɪŋ/
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading Duffy was certain that the girl had passed him in the fir-plantation, not walking, but _running_, in the direction of the sea-shore.
sea-shore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Duffy was certain that the girl had passed him in the fir-plantation, not walking, but _running_, in the direction of the sea-shore.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
SergeantnounUS /ˈsɑːrdʒənt/
any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal
From this reading “Does this boy know the coast hereabouts?” asked Sergeant Cuff.
servantsnounUS /ˈsɜːrvənts/
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading The news of Rosanna’s disappearance had, as it appeared, spread among the out-of-door servants.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
Spearman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
spreadverbUS /spred/
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading The news of Rosanna’s disappearance had, as it appeared, spread among the out-of-door servants.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Duffy was certain that the girl had passed him in the fir-plantation, not walking, but _running_, in the direction of the sea-shore.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The news of Rosanna’s disappearance had, as it appeared, spread among the out-of-door servants.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “Does this boy know the coast hereabouts?” asked Sergeant Cuff.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
walkingadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːkɪŋ/
close enough to be walked to
From this reading Duffy was certain that the girl had passed him in the fir-plantation, not walking, but _running_, in the direction of the sea-shore.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
weedingverbUS /ˈwiːdɪŋ/
-ing form of “weed” — clear of weeds
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading They too had made their inquiries; and they had just laid hands on a quick little imp, nicknamed “Duffy”—who was occasionally employed in weeding the garden, and who had seen Rosanna Spearman as lately as half-an-hour since.
