adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading An interval passed--a long interval, measured by the impatient reckoning of suspense--after the cab which had taken Grace Roseberry away had left the house.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading An interval passed--a long interval, measured by the impatient reckoning of suspense--after the cab which had taken Grace Roseberry away had left the house.
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/
anew
From this reading With their thoughts fixed secretly in vain speculation on the nature of the interview which was then taking place in Lady Janet’s room, they tried to speak on topics indifferent to both of them--tried, and failed, and tried again.
alikeadverbUS /əˈlaɪk/
equally
From this reading By common (though unexpressed) consent, Julian and Mercy avoided touching upon the one subject on which they were now both interested alike.
AndeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An interval passed--a long interval, measured by the impatient reckoning of suspense--after the cab which had taken Grace Roseberry away had left the house.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE narrative leaves Lady Janet and Horace Holmcroft together, and returns to Julian and Mercy in the library.
avoidedverbUS /əˈvɔɪdɪd/
past form of “avoid” — stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading By common (though unexpressed) consent, Julian and Mercy avoided touching upon the one subject on which they were now both interested alike.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading An interval passed--a long interval, measured by the impatient reckoning of suspense--after the cab which had taken Grace Roseberry away had left the house.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading By common (though unexpressed) consent, Julian and Mercy avoided touching upon the one subject on which they were now both interested alike.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading An interval passed--a long interval, measured by the impatient reckoning of suspense--after the cab which had taken Grace Roseberry away had left the house.
cabnounUS /kæb/
a compartment at the front of a motor vehicle or locomotive where driver sits
From this reading An interval passed--a long interval, measured by the impatient reckoning of suspense--after the cab which had taken Grace Roseberry away had left the house.
commonadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmən/
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading By common (though unexpressed) consent, Julian and Mercy avoided touching upon the one subject on which they were now both interested alike.
consentnounUS /kənˈsent/
permission to do something
From this reading By common (though unexpressed) consent, Julian and Mercy avoided touching upon the one subject on which they were now both interested alike.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The minutes followed each other; and still the warning sound of Horace’s footsteps was not heard on the marble pavement of the hall.
failedverbUS /feɪld/
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading With their thoughts fixed secretly in vain speculation on the nature of the interview which was then taking place in Lady Janet’s room, they tried to speak on topics indifferent to both of them--tried, and failed, and tried again.
fixedadjectiveUS /fɪkst/
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading With their thoughts fixed secretly in vain speculation on the nature of the interview which was then taking place in Lady Janet’s room, they tried to speak on topics indifferent to both of them--tried, and failed, and tried again.
followedverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊd/
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The minutes followed each other; and still the warning sound of Horace’s footsteps was not heard on the marble pavement of the hall.
footstepsnounUS /ˈfʊtsteps/
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading The minutes followed each other; and still the warning sound of Horace’s footsteps was not heard on the marble pavement of the hall.
GracenounUS /ɡreɪs/
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading An interval passed--a long interval, measured by the impatient reckoning of suspense--after the cab which had taken Grace Roseberry away had left the house.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading An interval passed--a long interval, measured by the impatient reckoning of suspense--after the cab which had taken Grace Roseberry away had left the house.
hallnounUS /hɔːl/
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading The minutes followed each other; and still the warning sound of Horace’s footsteps was not heard on the marble pavement of the hall.
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The minutes followed each other; and still the warning sound of Horace’s footsteps was not heard on the marble pavement of the hall.
Holmcroft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE narrative leaves Lady Janet and Horace Holmcroft together, and returns to Julian and Mercy in the library.
HoracenounUS /ˈhɔːrəs/
Roman lyric poet said to have influenced English poetry (65-8 BC)
From this reading THE narrative leaves Lady Janet and Horace Holmcroft together, and returns to Julian and Mercy in the library.
Horace'snounUS /ˈhɔːrəsəz/
possessive form of “horace” — Roman lyric poet said to have influenced English poetry (65-8 BC)
From this reading The minutes followed each other; and still the warning sound of Horace’s footsteps was not heard on the marble pavement of the hall.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading An interval passed--a long interval, measured by the impatient reckoning of suspense--after the cab which had taken Grace Roseberry away had left the house.
impatientadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpeɪʃənt/
restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition
From this reading An interval passed--a long interval, measured by the impatient reckoning of suspense--after the cab which had taken Grace Roseberry away had left the house.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE narrative leaves Lady Janet and Horace Holmcroft together, and returns to Julian and Mercy in the library.
indifferentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪfrənt/
marked by a lack of interest
From this reading With their thoughts fixed secretly in vain speculation on the nature of the interview which was then taking place in Lady Janet’s room, they tried to speak on topics indifferent to both of them--tried, and failed, and tried again.
interestedadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəstɪd/
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading By common (though unexpressed) consent, Julian and Mercy avoided touching upon the one subject on which they were now both interested alike.
intervalnounUS /ˈɪntərvəl/
a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading An interval passed--a long interval, measured by the impatient reckoning of suspense--after the cab which had taken Grace Roseberry away had left the house.
interviewverbUS /ˈɪntərvjuː/
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading With their thoughts fixed secretly in vain speculation on the nature of the interview which was then taking place in Lady Janet’s room, they tried to speak on topics indifferent to both of them--tried, and failed, and tried again.
Janet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE narrative leaves Lady Janet and Horace Holmcroft together, and returns to Julian and Mercy in the library.
Janet's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With their thoughts fixed secretly in vain speculation on the nature of the interview which was then taking place in Lady Janet’s room, they tried to speak on topics indifferent to both of them--tried, and failed, and tried again.
JuliannounUS /ˈdʒuːliən/
Roman Emperor and nephew of Constantine; he restored paganism as the official religion of the Roman Empire and destroyed Christian temples but his decision was reversed after his death (331?-363)
From this reading THE narrative leaves Lady Janet and Horace Holmcroft together, and returns to Julian and Mercy in the library.
LadynounUS /ˈleɪdi/
a polite name for any woman
From this reading THE narrative leaves Lady Janet and Horace Holmcroft together, and returns to Julian and Mercy in the library.
leavesnounUS /liːvz/
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading THE narrative leaves Lady Janet and Horace Holmcroft together, and returns to Julian and Mercy in the library.
leftnounUS /left/
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading An interval passed--a long interval, measured by the impatient reckoning of suspense--after the cab which had taken Grace Roseberry away had left the house.
librarynounUS /ˈlaɪbreriː/
a room where books are kept
From this reading THE narrative leaves Lady Janet and Horace Holmcroft together, and returns to Julian and Mercy in the library.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading An interval passed--a long interval, measured by the impatient reckoning of suspense--after the cab which had taken Grace Roseberry away had left the house.
marblenounUS /ˈmɑːrbəl/
a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material
From this reading The minutes followed each other; and still the warning sound of Horace’s footsteps was not heard on the marble pavement of the hall.
measuredadjectiveUS /ˈmeʒərd/
having notes of fixed rhythmic value
From this reading An interval passed--a long interval, measured by the impatient reckoning of suspense--after the cab which had taken Grace Roseberry away had left the house.
MercynounUS /ˈmɜːrsi/
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
From this reading THE narrative leaves Lady Janet and Horace Holmcroft together, and returns to Julian and Mercy in the library.
minutesnounUS /ˈmɪnəts/
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading The minutes followed each other; and still the warning sound of Horace’s footsteps was not heard on the marble pavement of the hall.
narrativenounUS /ˈnærətɪv/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading THE narrative leaves Lady Janet and Horace Holmcroft together, and returns to Julian and Mercy in the library.
naturenounUS /ˈneɪtʃər/
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading With their thoughts fixed secretly in vain speculation on the nature of the interview which was then taking place in Lady Janet’s room, they tried to speak on topics indifferent to both of them--tried, and failed, and tried again.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The minutes followed each other; and still the warning sound of Horace’s footsteps was not heard on the marble pavement of the hall.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading By common (though unexpressed) consent, Julian and Mercy avoided touching upon the one subject on which they were now both interested alike.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading An interval passed--a long interval, measured by the impatient reckoning of suspense--after the cab which had taken Grace Roseberry away had left the house.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The minutes followed each other; and still the warning sound of Horace’s footsteps was not heard on the marble pavement of the hall.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading By common (though unexpressed) consent, Julian and Mercy avoided touching upon the one subject on which they were now both interested alike.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The minutes followed each other; and still the warning sound of Horace’s footsteps was not heard on the marble pavement of the hall.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading An interval passed--a long interval, measured by the impatient reckoning of suspense--after the cab which had taken Grace Roseberry away had left the house.
pavementnounUS /ˈpeɪvmənt/
the paved surface of a thoroughfare
From this reading The minutes followed each other; and still the warning sound of Horace’s footsteps was not heard on the marble pavement of the hall.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading With their thoughts fixed secretly in vain speculation on the nature of the interview which was then taking place in Lady Janet’s room, they tried to speak on topics indifferent to both of them--tried, and failed, and tried again.
reckoningnounUS /ˈrekənɪŋ/
problem solving that involves numbers or quantities
From this reading An interval passed--a long interval, measured by the impatient reckoning of suspense--after the cab which had taken Grace Roseberry away had left the house.
returnsnounUS /rɪˈtɜːrnz/
plural of “return” — document giving the tax collector information about the taxpayer's tax liability
From this reading THE narrative leaves Lady Janet and Horace Holmcroft together, and returns to Julian and Mercy in the library.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading With their thoughts fixed secretly in vain speculation on the nature of the interview which was then taking place in Lady Janet’s room, they tried to speak on topics indifferent to both of them--tried, and failed, and tried again.
Roseberry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An interval passed--a long interval, measured by the impatient reckoning of suspense--after the cab which had taken Grace Roseberry away had left the house.
secretlyadverbUS /ˈsiːkrɪtli/
in secrecy; not openly
From this reading With their thoughts fixed secretly in vain speculation on the nature of the interview which was then taking place in Lady Janet’s room, they tried to speak on topics indifferent to both of them--tried, and failed, and tried again.
soundnounUS /saʊnd/
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The minutes followed each other; and still the warning sound of Horace’s footsteps was not heard on the marble pavement of the hall.
speakverbUS /spiːk/
express in speech
From this reading With their thoughts fixed secretly in vain speculation on the nature of the interview which was then taking place in Lady Janet’s room, they tried to speak on topics indifferent to both of them--tried, and failed, and tried again.
speculationnounUS /ˌspekjəˈleɪʃən/
a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading With their thoughts fixed secretly in vain speculation on the nature of the interview which was then taking place in Lady Janet’s room, they tried to speak on topics indifferent to both of them--tried, and failed, and tried again.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading The minutes followed each other; and still the warning sound of Horace’s footsteps was not heard on the marble pavement of the hall.
subjectnounUS /səbˈdʒekt/
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading By common (though unexpressed) consent, Julian and Mercy avoided touching upon the one subject on which they were now both interested alike.
suspensenounUS /səˈspens/
apprehension about what is going to happen
From this reading An interval passed--a long interval, measured by the impatient reckoning of suspense--after the cab which had taken Grace Roseberry away had left the house.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading An interval passed--a long interval, measured by the impatient reckoning of suspense--after the cab which had taken Grace Roseberry away had left the house.
takingnounUS /ˈteɪkɪŋ/
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading With their thoughts fixed secretly in vain speculation on the nature of the interview which was then taking place in Lady Janet’s room, they tried to speak on topics indifferent to both of them--tried, and failed, and tried again.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE narrative leaves Lady Janet and Horace Holmcroft together, and returns to Julian and Mercy in the library.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading With their thoughts fixed secretly in vain speculation on the nature of the interview which was then taking place in Lady Janet’s room, they tried to speak on topics indifferent to both of them--tried, and failed, and tried again.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading With their thoughts fixed secretly in vain speculation on the nature of the interview which was then taking place in Lady Janet’s room, they tried to speak on topics indifferent to both of them--tried, and failed, and tried again.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading With their thoughts fixed secretly in vain speculation on the nature of the interview which was then taking place in Lady Janet’s room, they tried to speak on topics indifferent to both of them--tried, and failed, and tried again.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading By common (though unexpressed) consent, Julian and Mercy avoided touching upon the one subject on which they were now both interested alike.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading By common (though unexpressed) consent, Julian and Mercy avoided touching upon the one subject on which they were now both interested alike.
thoughtsnounUS /θɔːts/
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading With their thoughts fixed secretly in vain speculation on the nature of the interview which was then taking place in Lady Janet’s room, they tried to speak on topics indifferent to both of them--tried, and failed, and tried again.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE narrative leaves Lady Janet and Horace Holmcroft together, and returns to Julian and Mercy in the library.
togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading THE narrative leaves Lady Janet and Horace Holmcroft together, and returns to Julian and Mercy in the library.
topicsnounUS /ˈtɑːpɪks/
plural of “topic” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading With their thoughts fixed secretly in vain speculation on the nature of the interview which was then taking place in Lady Janet’s room, they tried to speak on topics indifferent to both of them--tried, and failed, and tried again.
touchingadjectiveUS /ˈtʌtʃɪŋ/
arousing affect
From this reading By common (though unexpressed) consent, Julian and Mercy avoided touching upon the one subject on which they were now both interested alike.
triedadjectiveUS /traɪd/
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading With their thoughts fixed secretly in vain speculation on the nature of the interview which was then taking place in Lady Janet’s room, they tried to speak on topics indifferent to both of them--tried, and failed, and tried again.
unexpressedadjective
not made explicit
From this reading By common (though unexpressed) consent, Julian and Mercy avoided touching upon the one subject on which they were now both interested alike.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading By common (though unexpressed) consent, Julian and Mercy avoided touching upon the one subject on which they were now both interested alike.
vainadjectiveUS /veɪn/
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading With their thoughts fixed secretly in vain speculation on the nature of the interview which was then taking place in Lady Janet’s room, they tried to speak on topics indifferent to both of them--tried, and failed, and tried again.
warningnounUS /ˈwɔːrnɪŋ/
a message informing of danger
From this reading The minutes followed each other; and still the warning sound of Horace’s footsteps was not heard on the marble pavement of the hall.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The minutes followed each other; and still the warning sound of Horace’s footsteps was not heard on the marble pavement of the hall.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading By common (though unexpressed) consent, Julian and Mercy avoided touching upon the one subject on which they were now both interested alike.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading An interval passed--a long interval, measured by the impatient reckoning of suspense--after the cab which had taken Grace Roseberry away had left the house.
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading With their thoughts fixed secretly in vain speculation on the nature of the interview which was then taking place in Lady Janet’s room, they tried to speak on topics indifferent to both of them--tried, and failed, and tried again.
