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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 He had succeeded beyond his hopes in the task he had set himself to perform, and he counted with confidence on gaining by that means a sound footing and a firm influence in the house.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But as he sat in his room that evening, staring at the rushlight, with the night silent about him, he feared, nay, he almost knew, that his success came too late.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as he sat in his room that evening, staring at the rushlight, with the night silent about him, he feared, nay, he almost knew, that his success came too late.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had succeeded beyond his hopes in the task he had set himself to perform, and he counted with confidence on gaining by that means a sound footing and a firm influence in the house.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But as he sat in his room that evening, staring at the rushlight, with the night silent about him, he feared, nay, he almost knew, that his success came too late.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But as he sat in his room that evening, staring at the rushlight, with the night silent about him, he feared, nay, he almost knew, that his success came too late.
availed
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From this reading Something had happened behind his back, some crisis, some event; and that which he had done was as if it were undone, and that which he had gained availed nothing.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something had happened behind his back, some crisis, some event; and that which he had done was as if it were undone, and that which he had gained availed nothing.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Something had happened behind his back, some crisis, some event; and that which he had done was as if it were undone, and that which he had gained availed nothing.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading He had succeeded beyond his hopes in the task he had set himself to perform, and he counted with confidence on gaining by that means a sound footing and a firm influence in the house.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But as he sat in his room that evening, staring at the rushlight, with the night silent about him, he feared, nay, he almost knew, that his success came too late.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He had succeeded beyond his hopes in the task he had set himself to perform, and he counted with confidence on gaining by that means a sound footing and a firm influence in the house.
came
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From this reading But as he sat in his room that evening, staring at the rushlight, with the night silent about him, he feared, nay, he almost knew, that his success came too late.
Colonel
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From this reading EARLY RISERS Colonel Sullivan had returned from Tralee in high spirits.
confidencenounUS /ˈconfidence/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He had succeeded beyond his hopes in the task he had set himself to perform, and he counted with confidence on gaining by that means a sound footing and a firm influence in the house.
counted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had succeeded beyond his hopes in the task he had set himself to perform, and he counted with confidence on gaining by that means a sound footing and a firm influence in the house.
cover
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From this reading It was plain--whatever was obscure--that the play of the Lady's Kerchief was a cover for matter more serious.
crisis
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From this reading Something had happened behind his back, some crisis, some event; and that which he had done was as if it were undone, and that which he had gained availed nothing.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Something had happened behind his back, some crisis, some event; and that which he had done was as if it were undone, and that which he had gained availed nothing.
EARLY
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From this reading EARLY RISERS Colonel Sullivan had returned from Tralee in high spirits.
evening
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From this reading But as he sat in his room that evening, staring at the rushlight, with the night silent about him, he feared, nay, he almost knew, that his success came too late.
event
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something had happened behind his back, some crisis, some event; and that which he had done was as if it were undone, and that which he had gained availed nothing.
feared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as he sat in his room that evening, staring at the rushlight, with the night silent about him, he feared, nay, he almost knew, that his success came too late.
firm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had succeeded beyond his hopes in the task he had set himself to perform, and he counted with confidence on gaining by that means a sound footing and a firm influence in the house.
footing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had succeeded beyond his hopes in the task he had set himself to perform, and he counted with confidence on gaining by that means a sound footing and a firm influence in the house.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was plain--whatever was obscure--that the play of the Lady's Kerchief was a cover for matter more serious.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading EARLY RISERS Colonel Sullivan had returned from Tralee in high spirits.
gained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something had happened behind his back, some crisis, some event; and that which he had done was as if it were undone, and that which he had gained availed nothing.
gaining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had succeeded beyond his hopes in the task he had set himself to perform, and he counted with confidence on gaining by that means a sound footing and a firm influence in the house.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading EARLY RISERS Colonel Sullivan had returned from Tralee in high spirits.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something had happened behind his back, some crisis, some event; and that which he had done was as if it were undone, and that which he had gained availed nothing.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had succeeded beyond his hopes in the task he had set himself to perform, and he counted with confidence on gaining by that means a sound footing and a firm influence in the house.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EARLY RISERS Colonel Sullivan had returned from Tralee in high spirits.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But as he sat in his room that evening, staring at the rushlight, with the night silent about him, he feared, nay, he almost knew, that his success came too late.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He had succeeded beyond his hopes in the task he had set himself to perform, and he counted with confidence on gaining by that means a sound footing and a firm influence in the house.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had succeeded beyond his hopes in the task he had set himself to perform, and he counted with confidence on gaining by that means a sound footing and a firm influence in the house.
hopes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had succeeded beyond his hopes in the task he had set himself to perform, and he counted with confidence on gaining by that means a sound footing and a firm influence in the house.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had succeeded beyond his hopes in the task he had set himself to perform, and he counted with confidence on gaining by that means a sound footing and a firm influence in the house.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Something had happened behind his back, some crisis, some event; and that which he had done was as if it were undone, and that which he had gained availed nothing.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading EARLY RISERS Colonel Sullivan had returned from Tralee in high spirits.
influence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had succeeded beyond his hopes in the task he had set himself to perform, and he counted with confidence on gaining by that means a sound footing and a firm influence in the house.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Something had happened behind his back, some crisis, some event; and that which he had done was as if it were undone, and that which he had gained availed nothing.
Kerchief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was plain--whatever was obscure--that the play of the Lady's Kerchief was a cover for matter more serious.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as he sat in his room that evening, staring at the rushlight, with the night silent about him, he feared, nay, he almost knew, that his success came too late.
Lady's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was plain--whatever was obscure--that the play of the Lady's Kerchief was a cover for matter more serious.
late
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as he sat in his room that evening, staring at the rushlight, with the night silent about him, he feared, nay, he almost knew, that his success came too late.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was plain--whatever was obscure--that the play of the Lady's Kerchief was a cover for matter more serious.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had succeeded beyond his hopes in the task he had set himself to perform, and he counted with confidence on gaining by that means a sound footing and a firm influence in the house.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was plain--whatever was obscure--that the play of the Lady's Kerchief was a cover for matter more serious.
nayexclamationUS /neɪ/
an old word for “no”
From this reading But as he sat in his room that evening, staring at the rushlight, with the night silent about him, he feared, nay, he almost knew, that his success came too late.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as he sat in his room that evening, staring at the rushlight, with the night silent about him, he feared, nay, he almost knew, that his success came too late.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Something had happened behind his back, some crisis, some event; and that which he had done was as if it were undone, and that which he had gained availed nothing.
obscure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was plain--whatever was obscure--that the play of the Lady's Kerchief was a cover for matter more serious.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was plain--whatever was obscure--that the play of the Lady's Kerchief was a cover for matter more serious.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had succeeded beyond his hopes in the task he had set himself to perform, and he counted with confidence on gaining by that means a sound footing and a firm influence in the house.
perform
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had succeeded beyond his hopes in the task he had set himself to perform, and he counted with confidence on gaining by that means a sound footing and a firm influence in the house.
plain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was plain--whatever was obscure--that the play of the Lady's Kerchief was a cover for matter more serious.
play
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was plain--whatever was obscure--that the play of the Lady's Kerchief was a cover for matter more serious.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading EARLY RISERS Colonel Sullivan had returned from Tralee in high spirits.
RISERS
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From this reading EARLY RISERS Colonel Sullivan had returned from Tralee in high spirits.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as he sat in his room that evening, staring at the rushlight, with the night silent about him, he feared, nay, he almost knew, that his success came too late.
rushlight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as he sat in his room that evening, staring at the rushlight, with the night silent about him, he feared, nay, he almost knew, that his success came too late.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as he sat in his room that evening, staring at the rushlight, with the night silent about him, he feared, nay, he almost knew, that his success came too late.
serious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was plain--whatever was obscure--that the play of the Lady's Kerchief was a cover for matter more serious.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had succeeded beyond his hopes in the task he had set himself to perform, and he counted with confidence on gaining by that means a sound footing and a firm influence in the house.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as he sat in his room that evening, staring at the rushlight, with the night silent about him, he feared, nay, he almost knew, that his success came too late.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something had happened behind his back, some crisis, some event; and that which he had done was as if it were undone, and that which he had gained availed nothing.
SomethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Something had happened behind his back, some crisis, some event; and that which he had done was as if it were undone, and that which he had gained availed nothing.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had succeeded beyond his hopes in the task he had set himself to perform, and he counted with confidence on gaining by that means a sound footing and a firm influence in the house.
spirits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EARLY RISERS Colonel Sullivan had returned from Tralee in high spirits.
staring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as he sat in his room that evening, staring at the rushlight, with the night silent about him, he feared, nay, he almost knew, that his success came too late.
succeeded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had succeeded beyond his hopes in the task he had set himself to perform, and he counted with confidence on gaining by that means a sound footing and a firm influence in the house.
success
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as he sat in his room that evening, staring at the rushlight, with the night silent about him, he feared, nay, he almost knew, that his success came too late.
Sullivan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EARLY RISERS Colonel Sullivan had returned from Tralee in high spirits.
task
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had succeeded beyond his hopes in the task he had set himself to perform, and he counted with confidence on gaining by that means a sound footing and a firm influence in the house.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had succeeded beyond his hopes in the task he had set himself to perform, and he counted with confidence on gaining by that means a sound footing and a firm influence in the house.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had succeeded beyond his hopes in the task he had set himself to perform, and he counted with confidence on gaining by that means a sound footing and a firm influence in the house.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had succeeded beyond his hopes in the task he had set himself to perform, and he counted with confidence on gaining by that means a sound footing and a firm influence in the house.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as he sat in his room that evening, staring at the rushlight, with the night silent about him, he feared, nay, he almost knew, that his success came too late.
Tralee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EARLY RISERS Colonel Sullivan had returned from Tralee in high spirits.
undone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something had happened behind his back, some crisis, some event; and that which he had done was as if it were undone, and that which he had gained availed nothing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Something had happened behind his back, some crisis, some event; and that which he had done was as if it were undone, and that which he had gained availed nothing.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Something had happened behind his back, some crisis, some event; and that which he had done was as if it were undone, and that which he had gained availed nothing.
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading It was plain--whatever was obscure--that the play of the Lady's Kerchief was a cover for matter more serious.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Something had happened behind his back, some crisis, some event; and that which he had done was as if it were undone, and that which he had gained availed nothing.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had succeeded beyond his hopes in the task he had set himself to perform, and he counted with confidence on gaining by that means a sound footing and a firm influence in the house.
