AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “A purely mythical prisoner.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
ascendancynounUS /əˈsendənsi/
the state that exists when one person or group has power over another
From this reading “Crispina found that the eight years’ interregnum had materially weakened her ascendancy over her now grown-up offspring.
attemptnounUS /əˈtempt/
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
bluffnounUS /blʌf/
a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “But,” exclaimed the Journalist, “the Lofoden Island people!
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
Crispina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Crispina found that the eight years’ interregnum had materially weakened her ascendancy over her now grown-up offspring.
dischargedadjectiveUS /dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒd/
having lost your job
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
domesticadjectiveUS /dəˈmestɪk/
of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
EdwardnounUS /ˈedwərd/
King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
eightadjectiveUS /eɪt/
being one more than seven
From this reading “Crispina found that the eight years’ interregnum had materially weakened her ascendancy over her now grown-up offspring.
exclaimedverbUS /ɪkˈskleɪmd/
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading “But,” exclaimed the Journalist, “the Lofoden Island people!
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading “Crispina found that the eight years’ interregnum had materially weakened her ascendancy over her now grown-up offspring.
gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Who had they got hold of?”
grown-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Crispina found that the eight years’ interregnum had materially weakened her ascendancy over her now grown-up offspring.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Who had they got hold of?”
haulverbUS /hɔːl/
draw slowly or heavily
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “Crispina found that the eight years’ interregnum had materially weakened her ascendancy over her now grown-up offspring.
holdverbUS /hoʊld/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Who had they got hold of?”
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
incrementnounUS /ˈɪnkrəmənt/
a process of becoming larger or longer or more numerous or more important
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
instalments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
interregnumnounUS /ˌɪntərˈreɡnəm/
the time between two reigns, governments, etc.
From this reading “Crispina found that the eight years’ interregnum had materially weakened her ascendancy over her now grown-up offspring.
IslandnounUS /ˈaɪlənd/
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading “But,” exclaimed the Journalist, “the Lofoden Island people!
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
JournalistnounUS /ˈdʒɜːrnələst/
a writer for newspapers and magazines
From this reading “But,” exclaimed the Journalist, “the Lofoden Island people!
knewverbUS /nuː/
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
Lofoden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But,” exclaimed the Journalist, “the Lofoden Island people!
lumpnounUS /lʌmp/
a compact mass
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
materiallyadverbUS /məˈtɪriəli/
with respect to material aspects
From this reading “Crispina found that the eight years’ interregnum had materially weakened her ascendancy over her now grown-up offspring.
missingadjectiveUS /ˈmɪsɪŋ/
not able to be found
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
mythicaladjectiveUS /ˈmɪθəkəl/
based on or told of in traditional stories; lacking factual basis or historical validity
From this reading “A purely mythical prisoner.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “Crispina found that the eight years’ interregnum had materially weakened her ascendancy over her now grown-up offspring.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Who had they got hold of?”
offspringnounUS /ˈɔːfsprɪŋ/
the immediate descendants of a person
From this reading “Crispina found that the eight years’ interregnum had materially weakened her ascendancy over her now grown-up offspring.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
originaladjectiveUS /ərˈɪdʒənəl/
preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading “Crispina found that the eight years’ interregnum had materially weakened her ascendancy over her now grown-up offspring.
peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading “But,” exclaimed the Journalist, “the Lofoden Island people!
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
prisonernounUS /ˈprɪzənər/
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading “A purely mythical prisoner.
probablyadverbUS /ˈprɑːbəbliː/
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
purelyadverbUS /ˈpjʊrli/
restricted to something
From this reading “A purely mythical prisoner.
situationnounUS /ˌsɪtʃuːˈeɪʃən/
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
subsequentadjectiveUS /ˈsʌbsəkwənt/
following in time or order
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
sumnounUS /sʌm/
a quantity of money
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Crispina found that the eight years’ interregnum had materially weakened her ascendancy over her now grown-up offspring.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “But,” exclaimed the Journalist, “the Lofoden Island people!
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Who had they got hold of?”
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/
moved around an axis or center
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
Umberleigh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
unlooked-foradjective
not anticipated
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
valetnounUS /væˈleɪ/
a manservant who acts as a personal attendant to his employer
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
weakenedadjectiveUS /ˈwiːkənd/
impaired by diminution
From this reading “Crispina found that the eight years’ interregnum had materially weakened her ascendancy over her now grown-up offspring.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
WhopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Who had they got hold of?”
womannounUS /ˈwʊmən/
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
yearlynounUS /ˈjɪrli/
a reference book that is published regularly once every year
From this reading It was an attempt in the first place by some one who knew something of the domestic situation, probably a discharged valet, to bluff a lump sum out of Edward Umberleigh before the missing woman turned up; the subsequent yearly instalments were an unlooked-for increment to the original haul.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading “Crispina found that the eight years’ interregnum had materially weakened her ascendancy over her now grown-up offspring.
