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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 A SUPERFLUOUS FAMILY Kirkwood’s face, as he turned to greet the new-comer, changed suddenly to an expression of surprise.
abruptly
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From this reading ‘Why, what have you been doing to your hair?’ he asked abruptly.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Judging from his features alone, one would have taken John for sixty at least; his years were in truth not quite two-and-fifty.
also
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From this reading The short beard and whiskers were also of richer colour than comported with the rest of the man’s appearance.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A SUPERFLUOUS FAMILY Kirkwood’s face, as he turned to greet the new-comer, changed suddenly to an expression of surprise.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A stranger would have seen nothing remarkable in John Hewett’s hair, unless he had reflected that, being so sparse, it had preserved its dark hue and its gloss somewhat unusually.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The short beard and whiskers were also of richer colour than comported with the rest of the man’s appearance.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A SUPERFLUOUS FAMILY Kirkwood’s face, as he turned to greet the new-comer, changed suddenly to an expression of surprise.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Why, what have you been doing to your hair?’ he asked abruptly.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Judging from his features alone, one would have taken John for sixty at least; his years were in truth not quite two-and-fifty.
beard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The short beard and whiskers were also of richer colour than comported with the rest of the man’s appearance.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading ‘Why, what have you been doing to your hair?’ he asked abruptly.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading A stranger would have seen nothing remarkable in John Hewett’s hair, unless he had reflected that, being so sparse, it had preserved its dark hue and its gloss somewhat unusually.
changed
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From this reading A SUPERFLUOUS FAMILY Kirkwood’s face, as he turned to greet the new-comer, changed suddenly to an expression of surprise.
colour
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From this reading The short beard and whiskers were also of richer colour than comported with the rest of the man’s appearance.
comported
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From this reading The short beard and whiskers were also of richer colour than comported with the rest of the man’s appearance.
dark
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From this reading A stranger would have seen nothing remarkable in John Hewett’s hair, unless he had reflected that, being so sparse, it had preserved its dark hue and its gloss somewhat unusually.
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Why, what have you been doing to your hair?’ he asked abruptly.
expression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SUPERFLUOUS FAMILY Kirkwood’s face, as he turned to greet the new-comer, changed suddenly to an expression of surprise.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SUPERFLUOUS FAMILY Kirkwood’s face, as he turned to greet the new-comer, changed suddenly to an expression of surprise.
FAMILY
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From this reading A SUPERFLUOUS FAMILY Kirkwood’s face, as he turned to greet the new-comer, changed suddenly to an expression of surprise.
features
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judging from his features alone, one would have taken John for sixty at least; his years were in truth not quite two-and-fifty.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Judging from his features alone, one would have taken John for sixty at least; his years were in truth not quite two-and-fifty.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Judging from his features alone, one would have taken John for sixty at least; his years were in truth not quite two-and-fifty.
gloss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A stranger would have seen nothing remarkable in John Hewett’s hair, unless he had reflected that, being so sparse, it had preserved its dark hue and its gloss somewhat unusually.
greet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SUPERFLUOUS FAMILY Kirkwood’s face, as he turned to greet the new-comer, changed suddenly to an expression of surprise.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A stranger would have seen nothing remarkable in John Hewett’s hair, unless he had reflected that, being so sparse, it had preserved its dark hue and its gloss somewhat unusually.
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Why, what have you been doing to your hair?’ he asked abruptly.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading ‘Why, what have you been doing to your hair?’ he asked abruptly.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A SUPERFLUOUS FAMILY Kirkwood’s face, as he turned to greet the new-comer, changed suddenly to an expression of surprise.
Hewett's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A stranger would have seen nothing remarkable in John Hewett’s hair, unless he had reflected that, being so sparse, it had preserved its dark hue and its gloss somewhat unusually.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Judging from his features alone, one would have taken John for sixty at least; his years were in truth not quite two-and-fifty.
hue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A stranger would have seen nothing remarkable in John Hewett’s hair, unless he had reflected that, being so sparse, it had preserved its dark hue and its gloss somewhat unusually.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A stranger would have seen nothing remarkable in John Hewett’s hair, unless he had reflected that, being so sparse, it had preserved its dark hue and its gloss somewhat unusually.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A stranger would have seen nothing remarkable in John Hewett’s hair, unless he had reflected that, being so sparse, it had preserved its dark hue and its gloss somewhat unusually.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A stranger would have seen nothing remarkable in John Hewett’s hair, unless he had reflected that, being so sparse, it had preserved its dark hue and its gloss somewhat unusually.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A stranger would have seen nothing remarkable in John Hewett’s hair, unless he had reflected that, being so sparse, it had preserved its dark hue and its gloss somewhat unusually.
Judging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judging from his features alone, one would have taken John for sixty at least; his years were in truth not quite two-and-fifty.
Kirkwood's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SUPERFLUOUS FAMILY Kirkwood’s face, as he turned to greet the new-comer, changed suddenly to an expression of surprise.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Judging from his features alone, one would have taken John for sixty at least; his years were in truth not quite two-and-fifty.
man's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The short beard and whiskers were also of richer colour than comported with the rest of the man’s appearance.
new-comer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SUPERFLUOUS FAMILY Kirkwood’s face, as he turned to greet the new-comer, changed suddenly to an expression of surprise.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Judging from his features alone, one would have taken John for sixty at least; his years were in truth not quite two-and-fifty.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading A stranger would have seen nothing remarkable in John Hewett’s hair, unless he had reflected that, being so sparse, it had preserved its dark hue and its gloss somewhat unusually.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A SUPERFLUOUS FAMILY Kirkwood’s face, as he turned to greet the new-comer, changed suddenly to an expression of surprise.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Judging from his features alone, one would have taken John for sixty at least; his years were in truth not quite two-and-fifty.
preserved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A stranger would have seen nothing remarkable in John Hewett’s hair, unless he had reflected that, being so sparse, it had preserved its dark hue and its gloss somewhat unusually.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Judging from his features alone, one would have taken John for sixty at least; his years were in truth not quite two-and-fifty.
reflected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A stranger would have seen nothing remarkable in John Hewett’s hair, unless he had reflected that, being so sparse, it had preserved its dark hue and its gloss somewhat unusually.
remarkablenounUS /ˈremarkable/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A stranger would have seen nothing remarkable in John Hewett’s hair, unless he had reflected that, being so sparse, it had preserved its dark hue and its gloss somewhat unusually.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The short beard and whiskers were also of richer colour than comported with the rest of the man’s appearance.
richer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The short beard and whiskers were also of richer colour than comported with the rest of the man’s appearance.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A stranger would have seen nothing remarkable in John Hewett’s hair, unless he had reflected that, being so sparse, it had preserved its dark hue and its gloss somewhat unusually.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading The short beard and whiskers were also of richer colour than comported with the rest of the man’s appearance.
sixty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judging from his features alone, one would have taken John for sixty at least; his years were in truth not quite two-and-fifty.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading A stranger would have seen nothing remarkable in John Hewett’s hair, unless he had reflected that, being so sparse, it had preserved its dark hue and its gloss somewhat unusually.
somewhat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A stranger would have seen nothing remarkable in John Hewett’s hair, unless he had reflected that, being so sparse, it had preserved its dark hue and its gloss somewhat unusually.
sparse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A stranger would have seen nothing remarkable in John Hewett’s hair, unless he had reflected that, being so sparse, it had preserved its dark hue and its gloss somewhat unusually.
stranger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A stranger would have seen nothing remarkable in John Hewett’s hair, unless he had reflected that, being so sparse, it had preserved its dark hue and its gloss somewhat unusually.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A SUPERFLUOUS FAMILY Kirkwood’s face, as he turned to greet the new-comer, changed suddenly to an expression of surprise.
SUPERFLUOUS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SUPERFLUOUS FAMILY Kirkwood’s face, as he turned to greet the new-comer, changed suddenly to an expression of surprise.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SUPERFLUOUS FAMILY Kirkwood’s face, as he turned to greet the new-comer, changed suddenly to an expression of surprise.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judging from his features alone, one would have taken John for sixty at least; his years were in truth not quite two-and-fifty.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The short beard and whiskers were also of richer colour than comported with the rest of the man’s appearance.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A stranger would have seen nothing remarkable in John Hewett’s hair, unless he had reflected that, being so sparse, it had preserved its dark hue and its gloss somewhat unusually.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A SUPERFLUOUS FAMILY Kirkwood’s face, as he turned to greet the new-comer, changed suddenly to an expression of surprise.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A SUPERFLUOUS FAMILY Kirkwood’s face, as he turned to greet the new-comer, changed suddenly to an expression of surprise.
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judging from his features alone, one would have taken John for sixty at least; his years were in truth not quite two-and-fifty.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SUPERFLUOUS FAMILY Kirkwood’s face, as he turned to greet the new-comer, changed suddenly to an expression of surprise.
two-and-fifty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judging from his features alone, one would have taken John for sixty at least; his years were in truth not quite two-and-fifty.
unlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/
except if; if not
From this reading A stranger would have seen nothing remarkable in John Hewett’s hair, unless he had reflected that, being so sparse, it had preserved its dark hue and its gloss somewhat unusually.
unusually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A stranger would have seen nothing remarkable in John Hewett’s hair, unless he had reflected that, being so sparse, it had preserved its dark hue and its gloss somewhat unusually.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The short beard and whiskers were also of richer colour than comported with the rest of the man’s appearance.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading ‘Why, what have you been doing to your hair?’ he asked abruptly.
whiskers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The short beard and whiskers were also of richer colour than comported with the rest of the man’s appearance.
Why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Why, what have you been doing to your hair?’ he asked abruptly.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The short beard and whiskers were also of richer colour than comported with the rest of the man’s appearance.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A stranger would have seen nothing remarkable in John Hewett’s hair, unless he had reflected that, being so sparse, it had preserved its dark hue and its gloss somewhat unusually.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judging from his features alone, one would have taken John for sixty at least; his years were in truth not quite two-and-fifty.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ‘Why, what have you been doing to your hair?’ he asked abruptly.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ‘Why, what have you been doing to your hair?’ he asked abruptly.
