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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 THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading But," he smiled across at his youthful visitor, "I do not quite see what the American ambassador has to do with the business.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "My dear boy," he said, "this is a very sad tale, and I am genuinely sorry for Miss Grayson.
AMBASSADOR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
American
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
appears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her father appears to have been a rascal.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Van Ingen concluded, the great man leaned back in his swivel-chair until the spring creaked, and stifled a yawn behind a white, well-groomed hand.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But," he smiled across at his youthful visitor, "I do not quite see what the American ambassador has to do with the business.
attention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Van Ingen concluded, the great man leaned back in his swivel-chair until the spring creaked, and stifled a yawn behind a white, well-groomed hand.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Her father appears to have been a rascal.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading As Van Ingen concluded, the great man leaned back in his swivel-chair until the spring creaked, and stifled a yawn behind a white, well-groomed hand.
Bierce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My dear boy," he said, "this is a very sad tale, and I am genuinely sorry for Miss Grayson.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But," he smiled across at his youthful visitor, "I do not quite see what the American ambassador has to do with the business.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But," he smiled across at his youthful visitor, "I do not quite see what the American ambassador has to do with the business.
concluded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Van Ingen concluded, the great man leaned back in his swivel-chair until the spring creaked, and stifled a yawn behind a white, well-groomed hand.
Court
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
creaked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Van Ingen concluded, the great man leaned back in his swivel-chair until the spring creaked, and stifled a yawn behind a white, well-groomed hand.
dear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My dear boy," he said, "this is a very sad tale, and I am genuinely sorry for Miss Grayson.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading But," he smiled across at his youthful visitor, "I do not quite see what the American ambassador has to do with the business.
ears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her father appears to have been a rascal.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "My dear boy," he said, "this is a very sad tale, and I am genuinely sorry for Miss Grayson.
genuinely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My dear boy," he said, "this is a very sad tale, and I am genuinely sorry for Miss Grayson.
grave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
Grayson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My dear boy," he said, "this is a very sad tale, and I am genuinely sorry for Miss Grayson.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As Van Ingen concluded, the great man leaned back in his swivel-chair until the spring creaked, and stifled a yawn behind a white, well-groomed hand.
Hammond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
HAND
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But," he smiled across at his youthful visitor, "I do not quite see what the American ambassador has to do with the business.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Her father appears to have been a rascal.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "My dear boy," he said, "this is a very sad tale, and I am genuinely sorry for Miss Grayson.
HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her father appears to have been a rascal.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "My dear boy," he said, "this is a very sad tale, and I am genuinely sorry for Miss Grayson.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
Ingen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Van Ingen concluded, the great man leaned back in his swivel-chair until the spring creaked, and stifled a yawn behind a white, well-groomed hand.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "My dear boy," he said, "this is a very sad tale, and I am genuinely sorry for Miss Grayson.
James
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
leaned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Van Ingen concluded, the great man leaned back in his swivel-chair until the spring creaked, and stifled a yawn behind a white, well-groomed hand.
listened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Van Ingen concluded, the great man leaned back in his swivel-chair until the spring creaked, and stifled a yawn behind a white, well-groomed hand.
Minister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My dear boy," he said, "this is a very sad tale, and I am genuinely sorry for Miss Grayson.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "My dear boy," he said, "this is a very sad tale, and I am genuinely sorry for Miss Grayson.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But," he smiled across at his youthful visitor, "I do not quite see what the American ambassador has to do with the business.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
Plenipotentiary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
poured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
private
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
protégé
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But," he smiled across at his youthful visitor, "I do not quite see what the American ambassador has to do with the business.
rascal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her father appears to have been a rascal.
sad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My dear boy," he said, "this is a very sad tale, and I am genuinely sorry for Miss Grayson.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My dear boy," he said, "this is a very sad tale, and I am genuinely sorry for Miss Grayson.
Saint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But," he smiled across at his youthful visitor, "I do not quite see what the American ambassador has to do with the business.
smiled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But," he smiled across at his youthful visitor, "I do not quite see what the American ambassador has to do with the business.
sorry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My dear boy," he said, "this is a very sad tale, and I am genuinely sorry for Miss Grayson.
spacious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
spring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Van Ingen concluded, the great man leaned back in his swivel-chair until the spring creaked, and stifled a yawn behind a white, well-groomed hand.
stifled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Van Ingen concluded, the great man leaned back in his swivel-chair until the spring creaked, and stifled a yawn behind a white, well-groomed hand.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
swivel-chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Van Ingen concluded, the great man leaned back in his swivel-chair until the spring creaked, and stifled a yawn behind a white, well-groomed hand.
TAKES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
tale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My dear boy," he said, "this is a very sad tale, and I am genuinely sorry for Miss Grayson.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "My dear boy," he said, "this is a very sad tale, and I am genuinely sorry for Miss Grayson.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading As Van Ingen concluded, the great man leaned back in his swivel-chair until the spring creaked, and stifled a yawn behind a white, well-groomed hand.
Van
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Van Ingen concluded, the great man leaned back in his swivel-chair until the spring creaked, and stifled a yawn behind a white, well-groomed hand.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My dear boy," he said, "this is a very sad tale, and I am genuinely sorry for Miss Grayson.
visitor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But," he smiled across at his youthful visitor, "I do not quite see what the American ambassador has to do with the business.
well-groomed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Van Ingen concluded, the great man leaned back in his swivel-chair until the spring creaked, and stifled a yawn behind a white, well-groomed hand.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But," he smiled across at his youthful visitor, "I do not quite see what the American ambassador has to do with the business.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Van Ingen concluded, the great man leaned back in his swivel-chair until the spring creaked, and stifled a yawn behind a white, well-groomed hand.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
yawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Van Ingen concluded, the great man leaned back in his swivel-chair until the spring creaked, and stifled a yawn behind a white, well-groomed hand.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE AMBASSADOR TAKES A HAND Mr. John Hammond Bierce, American Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, sat in his spacious private office, and listened with an air of grave attention to the story his young protégé poured into his ears.
youthful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But," he smiled across at his youthful visitor, "I do not quite see what the American ambassador has to do with the business.
