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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 But it was during the ensuing time that the real problem came up—the problem of how far it was excusable to discuss the turpitude of parents with a child of twelve, of thirteen, of fourteen.
Absolutely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Absolutely inexcusable and quite impossible it of course at first appeared; and indeed the question didn’t press for some time after Pemberton had received his three hundred francs.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Absolutely inexcusable and quite impossible it of course at first appeared; and indeed the question didn’t press for some time after Pemberton had received his three hundred francs.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought the Moreens looked at him as if he were almost too smart, as if they ought to take care not to spoil him.
amended
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From this reading The young man frugally amended his wardrobe and even had a few francs in his pocket.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Absolutely inexcusable and quite impossible it of course at first appeared; and indeed the question didn’t press for some time after Pemberton had received his three hundred francs.
appeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Absolutely inexcusable and quite impossible it of course at first appeared; and indeed the question didn’t press for some time after Pemberton had received his three hundred francs.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He thought the Moreens looked at him as if he were almost too smart, as if they ought to take care not to spoil him.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Absolutely inexcusable and quite impossible it of course at first appeared; and indeed the question didn’t press for some time after Pemberton had received his three hundred francs.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it was during the ensuing time that the real problem came up—the problem of how far it was excusable to discuss the turpitude of parents with a child of twelve, of thirteen, of fourteen.
came
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From this reading But it was during the ensuing time that the real problem came up—the problem of how far it was excusable to discuss the turpitude of parents with a child of twelve, of thirteen, of fourteen.
care
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought the Moreens looked at him as if he were almost too smart, as if they ought to take care not to spoil him.
child
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was during the ensuing time that the real problem came up—the problem of how far it was excusable to discuss the turpitude of parents with a child of twelve, of thirteen, of fourteen.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Absolutely inexcusable and quite impossible it of course at first appeared; and indeed the question didn’t press for some time after Pemberton had received his three hundred francs.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Absolutely inexcusable and quite impossible it of course at first appeared; and indeed the question didn’t press for some time after Pemberton had received his three hundred francs.
discuss
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From this reading But it was during the ensuing time that the real problem came up—the problem of how far it was excusable to discuss the turpitude of parents with a child of twelve, of thirteen, of fourteen.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading But it was during the ensuing time that the real problem came up—the problem of how far it was excusable to discuss the turpitude of parents with a child of twelve, of thirteen, of fourteen.
ensuing
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From this reading But it was during the ensuing time that the real problem came up—the problem of how far it was excusable to discuss the turpitude of parents with a child of twelve, of thirteen, of fourteen.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The young man frugally amended his wardrobe and even had a few francs in his pocket.
excusable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was during the ensuing time that the real problem came up—the problem of how far it was excusable to discuss the turpitude of parents with a child of twelve, of thirteen, of fourteen.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was during the ensuing time that the real problem came up—the problem of how far it was excusable to discuss the turpitude of parents with a child of twelve, of thirteen, of fourteen.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young man frugally amended his wardrobe and even had a few francs in his pocket.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Absolutely inexcusable and quite impossible it of course at first appeared; and indeed the question didn’t press for some time after Pemberton had received his three hundred francs.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Absolutely inexcusable and quite impossible it of course at first appeared; and indeed the question didn’t press for some time after Pemberton had received his three hundred francs.
fourteen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was during the ensuing time that the real problem came up—the problem of how far it was excusable to discuss the turpitude of parents with a child of twelve, of thirteen, of fourteen.
francs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Absolutely inexcusable and quite impossible it of course at first appeared; and indeed the question didn’t press for some time after Pemberton had received his three hundred francs.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They produced a temporary lull, a relief from the sharpest pressure.
frugally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young man frugally amended his wardrobe and even had a few francs in his pocket.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Absolutely inexcusable and quite impossible it of course at first appeared; and indeed the question didn’t press for some time after Pemberton had received his three hundred francs.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He thought the Moreens looked at him as if he were almost too smart, as if they ought to take care not to spoil him.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He thought the Moreens looked at him as if he were almost too smart, as if they ought to take care not to spoil him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Absolutely inexcusable and quite impossible it of course at first appeared; and indeed the question didn’t press for some time after Pemberton had received his three hundred francs.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was during the ensuing time that the real problem came up—the problem of how far it was excusable to discuss the turpitude of parents with a child of twelve, of thirteen, of fourteen.
hundred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Absolutely inexcusable and quite impossible it of course at first appeared; and indeed the question didn’t press for some time after Pemberton had received his three hundred francs.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He thought the Moreens looked at him as if he were almost too smart, as if they ought to take care not to spoil him.
impossible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Absolutely inexcusable and quite impossible it of course at first appeared; and indeed the question didn’t press for some time after Pemberton had received his three hundred francs.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The young man frugally amended his wardrobe and even had a few francs in his pocket.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Absolutely inexcusable and quite impossible it of course at first appeared; and indeed the question didn’t press for some time after Pemberton had received his three hundred francs.
inexcusable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Absolutely inexcusable and quite impossible it of course at first appeared; and indeed the question didn’t press for some time after Pemberton had received his three hundred francs.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it was during the ensuing time that the real problem came up—the problem of how far it was excusable to discuss the turpitude of parents with a child of twelve, of thirteen, of fourteen.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He thought the Moreens looked at him as if he were almost too smart, as if they ought to take care not to spoil him.
lull
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They produced a temporary lull, a relief from the sharpest pressure.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young man frugally amended his wardrobe and even had a few francs in his pocket.
Moreens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought the Moreens looked at him as if he were almost too smart, as if they ought to take care not to spoil him.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He thought the Moreens looked at him as if he were almost too smart, as if they ought to take care not to spoil him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But it was during the ensuing time that the real problem came up—the problem of how far it was excusable to discuss the turpitude of parents with a child of twelve, of thirteen, of fourteen.
oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading He thought the Moreens looked at him as if he were almost too smart, as if they ought to take care not to spoil him.
parents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was during the ensuing time that the real problem came up—the problem of how far it was excusable to discuss the turpitude of parents with a child of twelve, of thirteen, of fourteen.
Pemberton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Absolutely inexcusable and quite impossible it of course at first appeared; and indeed the question didn’t press for some time after Pemberton had received his three hundred francs.
pocket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young man frugally amended his wardrobe and even had a few francs in his pocket.
press
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Absolutely inexcusable and quite impossible it of course at first appeared; and indeed the question didn’t press for some time after Pemberton had received his three hundred francs.
pressure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They produced a temporary lull, a relief from the sharpest pressure.
problem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was during the ensuing time that the real problem came up—the problem of how far it was excusable to discuss the turpitude of parents with a child of twelve, of thirteen, of fourteen.
produced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They produced a temporary lull, a relief from the sharpest pressure.
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Absolutely inexcusable and quite impossible it of course at first appeared; and indeed the question didn’t press for some time after Pemberton had received his three hundred francs.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Absolutely inexcusable and quite impossible it of course at first appeared; and indeed the question didn’t press for some time after Pemberton had received his three hundred francs.
real
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was during the ensuing time that the real problem came up—the problem of how far it was excusable to discuss the turpitude of parents with a child of twelve, of thirteen, of fourteen.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Absolutely inexcusable and quite impossible it of course at first appeared; and indeed the question didn’t press for some time after Pemberton had received his three hundred francs.
reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/
a feeling of comfort after worry or pain
From this reading They produced a temporary lull, a relief from the sharpest pressure.
sharpest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They produced a temporary lull, a relief from the sharpest pressure.
smart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought the Moreens looked at him as if he were almost too smart, as if they ought to take care not to spoil him.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Absolutely inexcusable and quite impossible it of course at first appeared; and indeed the question didn’t press for some time after Pemberton had received his three hundred francs.
spoil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought the Moreens looked at him as if he were almost too smart, as if they ought to take care not to spoil him.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He thought the Moreens looked at him as if he were almost too smart, as if they ought to take care not to spoil him.
temporary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They produced a temporary lull, a relief from the sharpest pressure.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But it was during the ensuing time that the real problem came up—the problem of how far it was excusable to discuss the turpitude of parents with a child of twelve, of thirteen, of fourteen.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But it was during the ensuing time that the real problem came up—the problem of how far it was excusable to discuss the turpitude of parents with a child of twelve, of thirteen, of fourteen.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They produced a temporary lull, a relief from the sharpest pressure.
thirteen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was during the ensuing time that the real problem came up—the problem of how far it was excusable to discuss the turpitude of parents with a child of twelve, of thirteen, of fourteen.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He thought the Moreens looked at him as if he were almost too smart, as if they ought to take care not to spoil him.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Absolutely inexcusable and quite impossible it of course at first appeared; and indeed the question didn’t press for some time after Pemberton had received his three hundred francs.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But it was during the ensuing time that the real problem came up—the problem of how far it was excusable to discuss the turpitude of parents with a child of twelve, of thirteen, of fourteen.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But it was during the ensuing time that the real problem came up—the problem of how far it was excusable to discuss the turpitude of parents with a child of twelve, of thirteen, of fourteen.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought the Moreens looked at him as if he were almost too smart, as if they ought to take care not to spoil him.
turpitude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was during the ensuing time that the real problem came up—the problem of how far it was excusable to discuss the turpitude of parents with a child of twelve, of thirteen, of fourteen.
twelve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was during the ensuing time that the real problem came up—the problem of how far it was excusable to discuss the turpitude of parents with a child of twelve, of thirteen, of fourteen.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was during the ensuing time that the real problem came up—the problem of how far it was excusable to discuss the turpitude of parents with a child of twelve, of thirteen, of fourteen.
wardrobe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young man frugally amended his wardrobe and even had a few francs in his pocket.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But it was during the ensuing time that the real problem came up—the problem of how far it was excusable to discuss the turpitude of parents with a child of twelve, of thirteen, of fourteen.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He thought the Moreens looked at him as if he were almost too smart, as if they ought to take care not to spoil him.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading But it was during the ensuing time that the real problem came up—the problem of how far it was excusable to discuss the turpitude of parents with a child of twelve, of thirteen, of fourteen.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young man frugally amended his wardrobe and even had a few francs in his pocket.
