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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 There is a midland city in the heart of fair, open country, a dirty and wonderful city nesting dingily in the fog of its own smoke.
alternative
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From this reading At a breeze he must smother in the whirlpools of dust, and if he should decline at any time to inhale the smoke he has the meager alternative of suicide.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There is a midland city in the heart of fair, open country, a dirty and wonderful city nesting dingily in the fog of its own smoke.
any
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From this reading At a breeze he must smother in the whirlpools of dust, and if he should decline at any time to inhale the smoke he has the meager alternative of suicide.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At a breeze he must smother in the whirlpools of dust, and if he should decline at any time to inhale the smoke he has the meager alternative of suicide.
bad
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From this reading The smoke is like the bad breath of a giant panting for more and more riches.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The stranger must feel the dirt before he feels the wonder, for the dirt will be upon him instantly.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The stranger must feel the dirt before he feels the wonder, for the dirt will be upon him instantly.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
breath
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From this reading The smoke is like the bad breath of a giant panting for more and more riches.
breatheverbUS /briːð/
to speak or reveal information, especially secretly
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
breeze
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From this reading At a breeze he must smother in the whirlpools of dust, and if he should decline at any time to inhale the smoke he has the meager alternative of suicide.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
care
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
cares
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From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
citizens
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From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
city
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From this reading There is a midland city in the heart of fair, open country, a dirty and wonderful city nesting dingily in the fog of its own smoke.
cleanliness
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From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is a midland city in the heart of fair, open country, a dirty and wonderful city nesting dingily in the fog of its own smoke.
declinenounUS /dɪˈklaɪn/
a gradual loss of health and strength
From this reading At a breeze he must smother in the whirlpools of dust, and if he should decline at any time to inhale the smoke he has the meager alternative of suicide.
dingily
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From this reading There is a midland city in the heart of fair, open country, a dirty and wonderful city nesting dingily in the fog of its own smoke.
dirt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger must feel the dirt before he feels the wonder, for the dirt will be upon him instantly.
dirty
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From this reading There is a midland city in the heart of fair, open country, a dirty and wonderful city nesting dingily in the fog of its own smoke.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
dust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At a breeze he must smother in the whirlpools of dust, and if he should decline at any time to inhale the smoke he has the meager alternative of suicide.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There is a midland city in the heart of fair, open country, a dirty and wonderful city nesting dingily in the fog of its own smoke.
feel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger must feel the dirt before he feels the wonder, for the dirt will be upon him instantly.
feels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger must feel the dirt before he feels the wonder, for the dirt will be upon him instantly.
flecked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
fog
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is a midland city in the heart of fair, open country, a dirty and wonderful city nesting dingily in the fog of its own smoke.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The stranger must feel the dirt before he feels the wonder, for the dirt will be upon him instantly.
further
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
giant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The smoke is like the bad breath of a giant panting for more and more riches.
grimy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At a breeze he must smother in the whirlpools of dust, and if he should decline at any time to inhale the smoke he has the meager alternative of suicide.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The stranger must feel the dirt before he feels the wonder, for the dirt will be upon him instantly.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is a midland city in the heart of fair, open country, a dirty and wonderful city nesting dingily in the fog of its own smoke.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The stranger must feel the dirt before he feels the wonder, for the dirt will be upon him instantly.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading At a breeze he must smother in the whirlpools of dust, and if he should decline at any time to inhale the smoke he has the meager alternative of suicide.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There is a midland city in the heart of fair, open country, a dirty and wonderful city nesting dingily in the fog of its own smoke.
incessantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
inhale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At a breeze he must smother in the whirlpools of dust, and if he should decline at any time to inhale the smoke he has the meager alternative of suicide.
instantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger must feel the dirt before he feels the wonder, for the dirt will be upon him instantly.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is a midland city in the heart of fair, open country, a dirty and wonderful city nesting dingily in the fog of its own smoke.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading There is a midland city in the heart of fair, open country, a dirty and wonderful city nesting dingily in the fog of its own smoke.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The smoke is like the bad breath of a giant panting for more and more riches.
loved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
meager
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At a breeze he must smother in the whirlpools of dust, and if he should decline at any time to inhale the smoke he has the meager alternative of suicide.
midland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is a midland city in the heart of fair, open country, a dirty and wonderful city nesting dingily in the fog of its own smoke.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The smoke is like the bad breath of a giant panting for more and more riches.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The stranger must feel the dirt before he feels the wonder, for the dirt will be upon him instantly.
negligently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
nesting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is a midland city in the heart of fair, open country, a dirty and wonderful city nesting dingily in the fog of its own smoke.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There is a midland city in the heart of fair, open country, a dirty and wonderful city nesting dingily in the fog of its own smoke.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading There is a midland city in the heart of fair, open country, a dirty and wonderful city nesting dingily in the fog of its own smoke.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is a midland city in the heart of fair, open country, a dirty and wonderful city nesting dingily in the fog of its own smoke.
panting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The smoke is like the bad breath of a giant panting for more and more riches.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
press
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
proof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
riches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The smoke is like the bad breath of a giant panting for more and more riches.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading At a breeze he must smother in the whirlpools of dust, and if he should decline at any time to inhale the smoke he has the meager alternative of suicide.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
smoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is a midland city in the heart of fair, open country, a dirty and wonderful city nesting dingily in the fog of its own smoke.
smother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At a breeze he must smother in the whirlpools of dust, and if he should decline at any time to inhale the smoke he has the meager alternative of suicide.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
stranger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger must feel the dirt before he feels the wonder, for the dirt will be upon him instantly.
streets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
suicide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At a breeze he must smother in the whirlpools of dust, and if he should decline at any time to inhale the smoke he has the meager alternative of suicide.
tended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There is a midland city in the heart of fair, open country, a dirty and wonderful city nesting dingily in the fog of its own smoke.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is a midland city in the heart of fair, open country, a dirty and wonderful city nesting dingily in the fog of its own smoke.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At a breeze he must smother in the whirlpools of dust, and if he should decline at any time to inhale the smoke he has the meager alternative of suicide.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At a breeze he must smother in the whirlpools of dust, and if he should decline at any time to inhale the smoke he has the meager alternative of suicide.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The stranger must feel the dirt before he feels the wonder, for the dirt will be upon him instantly.
wealth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
whirlpools
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At a breeze he must smother in the whirlpools of dust, and if he should decline at any time to inhale the smoke he has the meager alternative of suicide.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading The stranger must feel the dirt before he feels the wonder, for the dirt will be upon him instantly.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens.
wonder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger must feel the dirt before he feels the wonder, for the dirt will be upon him instantly.
wonderfulnounUS /ˈwonderful/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading There is a midland city in the heart of fair, open country, a dirty and wonderful city nesting dingily in the fog of its own smoke.
