adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading What he held in his hand was a half-sheet of ruled foolscap paper, closely covered with writing, which he at once recognized as that of the late John Mallathorpe.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was an old-fashioned writing--clear, distinct, with every letter well and fully formed.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading What he held in his hand was a half-sheet of ruled foolscap paper, closely covered with writing, which he at once recognized as that of the late John Mallathorpe.
clearverbUS /klɪr/
rid of obstructions
From this reading It was an old-fashioned writing--clear, distinct, with every letter well and fully formed.
closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk.
closelyadverbUS /ˈkloʊsli/
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading What he held in his hand was a half-sheet of ruled foolscap paper, closely covered with writing, which he at once recognized as that of the late John Mallathorpe.
composedlyadverb
in a self-collected or self-possessed manner
From this reading As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk.
coveredadjectiveUS /ˈkʌvərd/
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading What he held in his hand was a half-sheet of ruled foolscap paper, closely covered with writing, which he at once recognized as that of the late John Mallathorpe.
dailyadverbUS /ˈdeɪli/
every day; without missing a day
From this reading As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk.
desknounUS /desk/
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk.
dischargingverbUS /dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “discharge” — complete or carry out
From this reading As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk.
distinctadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋkt/
(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality
From this reading It was an old-fashioned writing--clear, distinct, with every letter well and fully formed.
documentnounUS /ˈdɑːkjəment/
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk.
dutiesnounUS /ˈduːtiz/
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk.
Eldrick's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading It was an old-fashioned writing--clear, distinct, with every letter well and fully formed.
familiaradjectiveUS /fəˈmɪljər/
well known or easily recognized
From this reading He was familiar with that writing--he had often seen it.
foolscapnoun
a size of paper used especially in Britain
From this reading What he held in his hand was a half-sheet of ruled foolscap paper, closely covered with writing, which he at once recognized as that of the late John Mallathorpe.
formedadjectiveUS /fɔːrmd/
having or given a form or shape
From this reading It was an old-fashioned writing--clear, distinct, with every letter well and fully formed.
fullyadverbUS /ˈfʊli/
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading It was an old-fashioned writing--clear, distinct, with every letter well and fully formed.
gasnounUS /ɡæs/
the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity
From this reading As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was familiar with that writing--he had often seen it.
half-sheet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What he held in his hand was a half-sheet of ruled foolscap paper, closely covered with writing, which he at once recognized as that of the late John Mallathorpe.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading What he held in his hand was a half-sheet of ruled foolscap paper, closely covered with writing, which he at once recognized as that of the late John Mallathorpe.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk.
heldadjectiveUS /held/
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading What he held in his hand was a half-sheet of ruled foolscap paper, closely covered with writing, which he at once recognized as that of the late John Mallathorpe.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading "Made it himself!" muttered Pratt.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading What he held in his hand was a half-sheet of ruled foolscap paper, closely covered with writing, which he at once recognized as that of the late John Mallathorpe.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He was familiar with that writing--he had often seen it.
jetnounUS /dʒet/
an airplane powered by one or more jet engines
From this reading As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk.
JohnnounUS /dʒɑːn/
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading What he held in his hand was a half-sheet of ruled foolscap paper, closely covered with writing, which he at once recognized as that of the late John Mallathorpe.
lateadjectiveUS /leɪt/
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading What he held in his hand was a half-sheet of ruled foolscap paper, closely covered with writing, which he at once recognized as that of the late John Mallathorpe.
letternounUS /ˈletər/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading It was an old-fashioned writing--clear, distinct, with every letter well and fully formed.
MadeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading "Made it himself!" muttered Pratt.
Mallathorpe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What he held in his hand was a half-sheet of ruled foolscap paper, closely covered with writing, which he at once recognized as that of the late John Mallathorpe.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk.
mutteredverbUS /ˈmʌtərd/
past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
From this reading "Made it himself!" muttered Pratt.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk.
oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/
many times at short intervals
From this reading He was familiar with that writing--he had often seen it.
old-fashionedadjectiveUS /ˌoʊldˈfæʃənd/
out of fashion
From this reading It was an old-fashioned writing--clear, distinct, with every letter well and fully formed.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading What he held in his hand was a half-sheet of ruled foolscap paper, closely covered with writing, which he at once recognized as that of the late John Mallathorpe.
ordinarynounUS /ˈɔːrdəneri/
a judge of a probate court
From this reading As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk.
papernounUS /ˈpeɪpər/
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading What he held in his hand was a half-sheet of ruled foolscap paper, closely covered with writing, which he at once recognized as that of the late John Mallathorpe.
Pratt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk.
quietlyadverbUS /ˈkwaɪətli/
with low volume
From this reading As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk.
recognizedadjectiveUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪzd/
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading What he held in his hand was a half-sheet of ruled foolscap paper, closely covered with writing, which he at once recognized as that of the late John Mallathorpe.
ruledadjectiveUS /ruːld/
subject to a ruling authority
From this reading What he held in his hand was a half-sheet of ruled foolscap paper, closely covered with writing, which he at once recognized as that of the late John Mallathorpe.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He was familiar with that writing--he had often seen it.
solitaryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləteri/
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading What he held in his hand was a half-sheet of ruled foolscap paper, closely covered with writing, which he at once recognized as that of the late John Mallathorpe.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk.
unfoldedverbUS /ənˈfoʊldɪd/
past form of “unfold” — develop or come to a promising stage
From this reading As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What he held in his hand was a half-sheet of ruled foolscap paper, closely covered with writing, which he at once recognized as that of the late John Mallathorpe.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading It was an old-fashioned writing--clear, distinct, with every letter well and fully formed.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What he held in his hand was a half-sheet of ruled foolscap paper, closely covered with writing, which he at once recognized as that of the late John Mallathorpe.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading What he held in his hand was a half-sheet of ruled foolscap paper, closely covered with writing, which he at once recognized as that of the late John Mallathorpe.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading What he held in his hand was a half-sheet of ruled foolscap paper, closely covered with writing, which he at once recognized as that of the late John Mallathorpe.
writingnounUS /ˈraɪtɪŋ/
the act of creating written works
From this reading What he held in his hand was a half-sheet of ruled foolscap paper, closely covered with writing, which he at once recognized as that of the late John Mallathorpe.
