adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was able to report, as "an absolute fact," that a junior member of the firm--a junior, mind you--was building a house at Eastbourne which would cost him, all told, not one penny less than sixty-five thousand pounds!
ableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪbəl/
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading He was able to report, as "an absolute fact," that a junior member of the firm--a junior, mind you--was building a house at Eastbourne which would cost him, all told, not one penny less than sixty-five thousand pounds!
absoluteadjectiveUS /ˈæbsəluːt/
perfect or complete or pure
From this reading He was able to report, as "an absolute fact," that a junior member of the firm--a junior, mind you--was building a house at Eastbourne which would cost him, all told, not one penny less than sixty-five thousand pounds!
adventureverbUS /ædˈventʃər/
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading NOT IN THE SECRET Since his adventure in knight-errantry Christopher Parish had suffered terrible alternations of hope and despair.
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/
anew
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading He was able to report, as "an absolute fact," that a junior member of the firm--a junior, mind you--was building a house at Eastbourne which would cost him, all told, not one penny less than sixty-five thousand pounds!
alternations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NOT IN THE SECRET Since his adventure in knight-errantry Christopher Parish had suffered terrible alternations of hope and despair.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading NOT IN THE SECRET Since his adventure in knight-errantry Christopher Parish had suffered terrible alternations of hope and despair.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was able to report, as "an absolute fact," that a junior member of the firm--a junior, mind you--was building a house at Eastbourne which would cost him, all told, not one penny less than sixty-five thousand pounds!
astoundingadjectiveUS /əˈstaʊndɪŋ/
bewildering or striking dumb with wonder
From this reading Every week supplied him with new and astounding Swettenham statistics.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was able to report, as "an absolute fact," that a junior member of the firm--a junior, mind you--was building a house at Eastbourne which would cost him, all told, not one penny less than sixty-five thousand pounds!
attentionnounUS /əˈtenʃən/
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
buildingnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋ/
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading He was able to report, as "an absolute fact," that a junior member of the firm--a junior, mind you--was building a house at Eastbourne which would cost him, all told, not one penny less than sixty-five thousand pounds!
ChristophernounUS /ˈkrɪstəfər/
Christian martyr and patron saint of travellers (3rd century)
From this reading NOT IN THE SECRET Since his adventure in knight-errantry Christopher Parish had suffered terrible alternations of hope and despair.
costnounUS /kɑːst/
the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor
From this reading He was able to report, as "an absolute fact," that a junior member of the firm--a junior, mind you--was building a house at Eastbourne which would cost him, all told, not one penny less than sixty-five thousand pounds!
despairnounUS /dɪˈsper/
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading NOT IN THE SECRET Since his adventure in knight-errantry Christopher Parish had suffered terrible alternations of hope and despair.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
discoursed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
Eastbourne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was able to report, as "an absolute fact," that a junior member of the firm--a junior, mind you--was building a house at Eastbourne which would cost him, all told, not one penny less than sixty-five thousand pounds!
enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
entertainverbUS /ˌentərˈteɪn/
provide entertainment for
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
errandnounUS /ˈerənd/
a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every week supplied him with new and astounding Swettenham statistics.
explanationnounUS /ˌekspləˈneɪʃən/
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
factnounUS /fækt/
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading He was able to report, as "an absolute fact," that a junior member of the firm--a junior, mind you--was building a house at Eastbourne which would cost him, all told, not one penny less than sixty-five thousand pounds!
fearverbUS /fɪr/
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
firmadjectiveUS /fɜːrm/
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
gloriesnounUS /ˈɡlɔːriz/
plural of “glory” — a state of high honor
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading NOT IN THE SECRET Since his adventure in knight-errantry Christopher Parish had suffered terrible alternations of hope and despair.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading NOT IN THE SECRET Since his adventure in knight-errantry Christopher Parish had suffered terrible alternations of hope and despair.
holdverbUS /hoʊld/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
hopenounUS /hoʊp/
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading NOT IN THE SECRET Since his adventure in knight-errantry Christopher Parish had suffered terrible alternations of hope and despair.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading He was able to report, as "an absolute fact," that a junior member of the firm--a junior, mind you--was building a house at Eastbourne which would cost him, all told, not one penny less than sixty-five thousand pounds!
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading NOT IN THE SECRET Since his adventure in knight-errantry Christopher Parish had suffered terrible alternations of hope and despair.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He would like to see that house; in fact, he must see it.
juniornounUS /ˈdʒuːnjər/
term of address for a disrespectful and annoying male
From this reading He was able to report, as "an absolute fact," that a junior member of the firm--a junior, mind you--was building a house at Eastbourne which would cost him, all told, not one penny less than sixty-five thousand pounds!
knight-errantry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NOT IN THE SECRET Since his adventure in knight-errantry Christopher Parish had suffered terrible alternations of hope and despair.
lessadverbUS /les/
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading He was able to report, as "an absolute fact," that a junior member of the firm--a junior, mind you--was building a house at Eastbourne which would cost him, all told, not one penny less than sixty-five thousand pounds!
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He would like to see that house; in fact, he must see it.
membernounUS /ˈmembər/
one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading He was able to report, as "an absolute fact," that a junior member of the firm--a junior, mind you--was building a house at Eastbourne which would cost him, all told, not one penny less than sixty-five thousand pounds!
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading He was able to report, as "an absolute fact," that a junior member of the firm--a junior, mind you--was building a house at Eastbourne which would cost him, all told, not one penny less than sixty-five thousand pounds!
MissverbUS /mɪs/
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
modestlyadverbUS /ˈmɑːdəstli/
with modesty; in a modest manner
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He would like to see that house; in fact, he must see it.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Every week supplied him with new and astounding Swettenham statistics.
NOTadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading NOT IN THE SECRET Since his adventure in knight-errantry Christopher Parish had suffered terrible alternations of hope and despair.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading NOT IN THE SECRET Since his adventure in knight-errantry Christopher Parish had suffered terrible alternations of hope and despair.
offendingadjectiveUS /əˈfendɪŋ/
offending against or breaking a law or rule
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He was able to report, as "an absolute fact," that a junior member of the firm--a junior, mind you--was building a house at Eastbourne which would cost him, all told, not one penny less than sixty-five thousand pounds!
ParishnounUS /ˈpærɪʃ/
a local church community
From this reading NOT IN THE SECRET Since his adventure in knight-errantry Christopher Parish had suffered terrible alternations of hope and despair.
pennynounUS /ˈpeni/
a fractional monetary unit of Ireland and the United Kingdom; equal to one hundredth of a pound
From this reading He was able to report, as "an absolute fact," that a junior member of the firm--a junior, mind you--was building a house at Eastbourne which would cost him, all told, not one penny less than sixty-five thousand pounds!
permittedverbUS /pərˈmɪtɪd/
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
poundsnounUS /paʊndz/
plural of “pound” — 16 ounces avoirdupois
From this reading He was able to report, as "an absolute fact," that a junior member of the firm--a junior, mind you--was building a house at Eastbourne which would cost him, all told, not one penny less than sixty-five thousand pounds!
pressverbUS /pres/
exert pressure or force to or upon
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
reportverbUS /riˈpɔːrt/
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading He was able to report, as "an absolute fact," that a junior member of the firm--a junior, mind you--was building a house at Eastbourne which would cost him, all told, not one penny less than sixty-five thousand pounds!
SECRETnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading NOT IN THE SECRET Since his adventure in knight-errantry Christopher Parish had suffered terrible alternations of hope and despair.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
sentnounUS /sent/
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading NOT IN THE SECRET Since his adventure in knight-errantry Christopher Parish had suffered terrible alternations of hope and despair.
sixty-fiveadjective
being five more than sixty
From this reading He was able to report, as "an absolute fact," that a junior member of the firm--a junior, mind you--was building a house at Eastbourne which would cost him, all told, not one penny less than sixty-five thousand pounds!
SparkesverbUS /spɑːrks/
third-person singular of “spark” — put in motion or move to act
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
statisticsnounUS /stəˈtɪstɪks/
a branch of applied mathematics concerned with the collection and interpretation of quantitative data and the use of probability theory to estimate population parameters
From this reading Every week supplied him with new and astounding Swettenham statistics.
sufferedverbUS /ˈsʌfərd/
past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to
From this reading NOT IN THE SECRET Since his adventure in knight-errantry Christopher Parish had suffered terrible alternations of hope and despair.
suppliedverbUS /səˈplaɪd/
inflected form of “supply” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading Every week supplied him with new and astounding Swettenham statistics.
Swettenham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
terribleadjectiveUS /ˈterəbəl/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading NOT IN THE SECRET Since his adventure in knight-errantry Christopher Parish had suffered terrible alternations of hope and despair.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He was able to report, as "an absolute fact," that a junior member of the firm--a junior, mind you--was building a house at Eastbourne which would cost him, all told, not one penny less than sixty-five thousand pounds!
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading NOT IN THE SECRET Since his adventure in knight-errantry Christopher Parish had suffered terrible alternations of hope and despair.
thousandnounUS /ˈθaʊzənd/
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading He was able to report, as "an absolute fact," that a junior member of the firm--a junior, mind you--was building a house at Eastbourne which would cost him, all told, not one penny less than sixty-five thousand pounds!
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
toldverbUS /toʊld/
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading He was able to report, as "an absolute fact," that a junior member of the firm--a junior, mind you--was building a house at Eastbourne which would cost him, all told, not one penny less than sixty-five thousand pounds!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
weeknounUS /wiːk/
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Every week supplied him with new and astounding Swettenham statistics.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
whilstconjunctionUS /waɪlst/
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading For fear of offending Miss Sparkes he did not press for an explanation of the errand on which she had sent him enough that he was again permitted to see her, to entertain her modestly, and to hold her attention whilst he discoursed on the glories of the firm of Swettenham.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Every week supplied him with new and astounding Swettenham statistics.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was able to report, as "an absolute fact," that a junior member of the firm--a junior, mind you--was building a house at Eastbourne which would cost him, all told, not one penny less than sixty-five thousand pounds!
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading He was able to report, as "an absolute fact," that a junior member of the firm--a junior, mind you--was building a house at Eastbourne which would cost him, all told, not one penny less than sixty-five thousand pounds!
