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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 "Have you ever felt real sympathy with a criminal or a thief?" he asked her after a while.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading "Have you ever felt real sympathy with a criminal or a thief?" he asked her after a while.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Have you ever felt real sympathy with a criminal or a thief?" he asked her after a while.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
bit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
blandly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You mean the heroine of the York mystery?" he replied blandly.
Burton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
corner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EDINBURGH MYSTERY The man in the corner had not enjoyed his lunch.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
criminal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Have you ever felt real sympathy with a criminal or a thief?" he asked her after a while.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
EDINBURGH
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EDINBURGH MYSTERY The man in the corner had not enjoyed his lunch.
enjoyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EDINBURGH MYSTERY The man in the corner had not enjoyed his lunch.
enlist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Have you ever felt real sympathy with a criminal or a thief?" he asked her after a while.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Have you ever felt real sympathy with a criminal or a thief?" he asked her after a while.
fidgeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE EDINBURGH MYSTERY The man in the corner had not enjoyed his lunch.
Haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Have you ever felt real sympathy with a criminal or a thief?" he asked her after a while.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
heroine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You mean the heroine of the York mystery?" he replied blandly.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE EDINBURGH MYSTERY The man in the corner had not enjoyed his lunch.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE EDINBURGH MYSTERY The man in the corner had not enjoyed his lunch.
jar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
lunch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EDINBURGH MYSTERY The man in the corner had not enjoyed his lunch.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EDINBURGH MYSTERY The man in the corner had not enjoyed his lunch.
mean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You mean the heroine of the York mystery?" he replied blandly.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
MYSTERY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EDINBURGH MYSTERY The man in the corner had not enjoyed his lunch.
nerves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE EDINBURGH MYSTERY The man in the corner had not enjoyed his lunch.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
Only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Have you ever felt real sympathy with a criminal or a thief?" he asked her after a while.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
Polly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
real
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Have you ever felt real sympathy with a criminal or a thief?" he asked her after a while.
repliednounUS /replied/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
setting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
string
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
sympathies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
sympathy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Have you ever felt real sympathy with a criminal or a thief?" he asked her after a while.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE EDINBURGH MYSTERY The man in the corner had not enjoyed his lunch.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
thief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Have you ever felt real sympathy with a criminal or a thief?" he asked her after a while.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
unfortunate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading "Have you ever felt real sympathy with a criminal or a thief?" he asked her after a while.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Miss Polly Burton could see that he had something on his mind, for, even before he began to talk that morning, he was fidgeting with his bit of string, and setting all her nerves on the jar.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Only once, I think," she replied, "and then I am not quite sure that the unfortunate woman who did enlist my sympathies was the criminal you make her out to be."
York
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You mean the heroine of the York mystery?" he replied blandly.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Have you ever felt real sympathy with a criminal or a thief?" he asked her after a while.
