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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 It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
accurate
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From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
analysis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
article
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
aside
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From this reading My eyes fastened themselves upon the old scarlet letter, and would not be turned aside.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
ByprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
by-past
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From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
capitalnounUS /ˈkæpətəl/
assets available for use in the production of further assets
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
Certainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
communicating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
deep
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From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
dignity
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From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
doubt
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From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
dress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
evading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
evanescent
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From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My eyes fastened themselves upon the old scarlet letter, and would not be turned aside.
fashions
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From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
fastened
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From this reading My eyes fastened themselves upon the old scarlet letter, and would not be turned aside.
forth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
honour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
inches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
intended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
interested
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From this reading And yet it strangely interested me.
interpretation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
lengthnounUS /leŋθ/
a period of time or extent
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
letter
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From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
limb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading And yet it strangely interested me.
meaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
measurement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My eyes fastened themselves upon the old scarlet letter, and would not be turned aside.
mystic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading My eyes fastened themselves upon the old scarlet letter, and would not be turned aside.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
old
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From this reading My eyes fastened themselves upon the old scarlet letter, and would not be turned aside.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
ornamental
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
particulars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
precisely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
proved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
quarter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
rank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
riddle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
scarlet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My eyes fastened themselves upon the old scarlet letter, and would not be turned aside.
sensibilities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
signified
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
solving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
strangelynounUS /ˈstrangely/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading And yet it strangely interested me.
streamed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
subtly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
symbol
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading My eyes fastened themselves upon the old scarlet letter, and would not be turned aside.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My eyes fastened themselves upon the old scarlet letter, and would not be turned aside.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading My eyes fastened themselves upon the old scarlet letter, and would not be turned aside.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
wornverbUS /wɔːrn/
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
worthyadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːr.ði/
Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading My eyes fastened themselves upon the old scarlet letter, and would not be turned aside.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading And yet it strangely interested me.
