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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 Each table had its own yellow illumination, and the upper portion of the room, with a certain empty space in the centre of it, was bafflingly shadowed.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The supper-room, garish and tawdry in its decorations, was functioning as usual.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The supper-room, garish and tawdry in its decorations, was functioning as usual.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE CALL Christine found the night at the guinea-fowl rather dull.
bafflingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Each table had its own yellow illumination, and the upper portion of the room, with a certain empty space in the centre of it, was bafflingly shadowed.
ball-room
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From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
BetweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
bodies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
bright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
CALL
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From this reading THE CALL Christine found the night at the guinea-fowl rather dull.
centre
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From this reading Each table had its own yellow illumination, and the upper portion of the room, with a certain empty space in the centre of it, was bafflingly shadowed.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Each table had its own yellow illumination, and the upper portion of the room, with a certain empty space in the centre of it, was bafflingly shadowed.
Christine
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From this reading THE CALL Christine found the night at the guinea-fowl rather dull.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
couples
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From this reading The round tables and the square tables, the tables large and the tables small, were well occupied with mixed parties and couples.
curtains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
dancers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
decorations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The supper-room, garish and tawdry in its decorations, was functioning as usual.
dull
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From this reading THE CALL Christine found the night at the guinea-fowl rather dull.
EachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Each table had its own yellow illumination, and the upper portion of the room, with a certain empty space in the centre of it, was bafflingly shadowed.
empty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Each table had its own yellow illumination, and the upper portion of the room, with a certain empty space in the centre of it, was bafflingly shadowed.
falling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
figures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE CALL Christine found the night at the guinea-fowl rather dull.
functioning
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From this reading The supper-room, garish and tawdry in its decorations, was functioning as usual.
garish
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From this reading The supper-room, garish and tawdry in its decorations, was functioning as usual.
glued
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From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
guinea-fowl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CALL Christine found the night at the guinea-fowl rather dull.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Each table had its own yellow illumination, and the upper portion of the room, with a certain empty space in the centre of it, was bafflingly shadowed.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
illumination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Each table had its own yellow illumination, and the upper portion of the room, with a certain empty space in the centre of it, was bafflingly shadowed.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The supper-room, garish and tawdry in its decorations, was functioning as usual.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Each table had its own yellow illumination, and the upper portion of the room, with a certain empty space in the centre of it, was bafflingly shadowed.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The supper-room, garish and tawdry in its decorations, was functioning as usual.
khaki
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The round tables and the square tables, the tables large and the tables small, were well occupied with mixed parties and couples.
mixedverbUS /mɪkst/
involved with or connected to
From this reading The round tables and the square tables, the tables large and the tables small, were well occupied with mixed parties and couples.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CALL Christine found the night at the guinea-fowl rather dull.
occupied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The round tables and the square tables, the tables large and the tables small, were well occupied with mixed parties and couples.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Each table had its own yellow illumination, and the upper portion of the room, with a certain empty space in the centre of it, was bafflingly shadowed.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Each table had its own yellow illumination, and the upper portion of the room, with a certain empty space in the centre of it, was bafflingly shadowed.
pale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
parties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The round tables and the square tables, the tables large and the tables small, were well occupied with mixed parties and couples.
passing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
portion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Each table had its own yellow illumination, and the upper portion of the room, with a certain empty space in the centre of it, was bafflingly shadowed.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CALL Christine found the night at the guinea-fowl rather dull.
rhythmically
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From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Each table had its own yellow illumination, and the upper portion of the room, with a certain empty space in the centre of it, was bafflingly shadowed.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The round tables and the square tables, the tables large and the tables small, were well occupied with mixed parties and couples.
section
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
shadowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Each table had its own yellow illumination, and the upper portion of the room, with a certain empty space in the centre of it, was bafflingly shadowed.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The round tables and the square tables, the tables large and the tables small, were well occupied with mixed parties and couples.
space
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Each table had its own yellow illumination, and the upper portion of the room, with a certain empty space in the centre of it, was bafflingly shadowed.
square
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The round tables and the square tables, the tables large and the tables small, were well occupied with mixed parties and couples.
straight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
supper-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The supper-room, garish and tawdry in its decorations, was functioning as usual.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Each table had its own yellow illumination, and the upper portion of the room, with a certain empty space in the centre of it, was bafflingly shadowed.
tables
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The round tables and the square tables, the tables large and the tables small, were well occupied with mixed parties and couples.
tawdry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The supper-room, garish and tawdry in its decorations, was functioning as usual.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CALL Christine found the night at the guinea-fowl rather dull.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
upper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Each table had its own yellow illumination, and the upper portion of the room, with a certain empty space in the centre of it, was bafflingly shadowed.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The supper-room, garish and tawdry in its decorations, was functioning as usual.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The supper-room, garish and tawdry in its decorations, was functioning as usual.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The round tables and the square tables, the tables large and the tables small, were well occupied with mixed parties and couples.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The round tables and the square tables, the tables large and the tables small, were well occupied with mixed parties and couples.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading Between two high, straight falling curtains could be seen a section of the ball-room, very bright against the curtains, with the figures of dancers whose bodies seemed to be glued to each other, pale to black or pale to khaki, passing slowly and rhythmically across.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The round tables and the square tables, the tables large and the tables small, were well occupied with mixed parties and couples.
yellow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Each table had its own yellow illumination, and the upper portion of the room, with a certain empty space in the centre of it, was bafflingly shadowed.
