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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 What a terrible tangle it was; what a mockery that he should be sitting here at Thexford Hall, while the real owner was living in poverty in London!
ago
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
almost
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From this reading His thoughts were almost too bitter to be borne, and the so-called Marquess crouched in his chair and stifled a groan.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His thoughts were almost too bitter to be borne, and the so-called Marquess crouched in his chair and stifled a groan.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
asleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading What a terrible tangle it was; what a mockery that he should be sitting here at Thexford Hall, while the real owner was living in poverty in London!
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Thinking he was dozing, Miriam went straight to the piano and began to play.
bent
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From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
bitter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His thoughts were almost too bitter to be borne, and the so-called Marquess crouched in his chair and stifled a groan.
borne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His thoughts were almost too bitter to be borne, and the so-called Marquess crouched in his chair and stifled a groan.
bowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
crouched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His thoughts were almost too bitter to be borne, and the so-called Marquess crouched in his chair and stifled a groan.
deep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
dining-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
dozing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thinking he was dozing, Miriam went straight to the piano and began to play.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miriam went on to the drawing-room.
figure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
folded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
groan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His thoughts were almost too bitter to be borne, and the so-called Marquess crouched in his chair and stifled a groan.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
half-tipsy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
Hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What a terrible tangle it was; what a mockery that he should be sitting here at Thexford Hall, while the real owner was living in poverty in London!
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading What a terrible tangle it was; what a mockery that he should be sitting here at Thexford Hall, while the real owner was living in poverty in London!
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
House
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading What a terrible tangle it was; what a mockery that he should be sitting here at Thexford Hall, while the real owner was living in poverty in London!
knees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
living
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What a terrible tangle it was; what a mockery that he should be sitting here at Thexford Hall, while the real owner was living in poverty in London!
London
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What a terrible tangle it was; what a mockery that he should be sitting here at Thexford Hall, while the real owner was living in poverty in London!
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
Marquess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
Miriam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miriam went on to the drawing-room.
mockery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What a terrible tangle it was; what a mockery that he should be sitting here at Thexford Hall, while the real owner was living in poverty in London!
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
months
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Miriam went on to the drawing-room.
owner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What a terrible tangle it was; what a mockery that he should be sitting here at Thexford Hall, while the real owner was living in poverty in London!
piano
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thinking he was dozing, Miriam went straight to the piano and began to play.
play
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thinking he was dozing, Miriam went straight to the piano and began to play.
poverty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What a terrible tangle it was; what a mockery that he should be sitting here at Thexford Hall, while the real owner was living in poverty in London!
real
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What a terrible tangle it was; what a mockery that he should be sitting here at Thexford Hall, while the real owner was living in poverty in London!
reappeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading What a terrible tangle it was; what a mockery that he should be sitting here at Thexford Hall, while the real owner was living in poverty in London!
sitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
so-called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His thoughts were almost too bitter to be borne, and the so-called Marquess crouched in his chair and stifled a groan.
son
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
stifled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His thoughts were almost too bitter to be borne, and the so-called Marquess crouched in his chair and stifled a groan.
straight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thinking he was dozing, Miriam went straight to the piano and began to play.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
Sutcombe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
tangle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What a terrible tangle it was; what a mockery that he should be sitting here at Thexford Hall, while the real owner was living in poverty in London!
terriblenounUS /ˈterrible/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading What a terrible tangle it was; what a mockery that he should be sitting here at Thexford Hall, while the real owner was living in poverty in London!
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Miriam went on to the drawing-room.
Thexford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What a terrible tangle it was; what a mockery that he should be sitting here at Thexford Hall, while the real owner was living in poverty in London!
thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
thoughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His thoughts were almost too bitter to be borne, and the so-called Marquess crouched in his chair and stifled a groan.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Miriam went on to the drawing-room.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His thoughts were almost too bitter to be borne, and the so-called Marquess crouched in his chair and stifled a groan.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Miriam went on to the drawing-room.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What a terrible tangle it was; what a mockery that he should be sitting here at Thexford Hall, while the real owner was living in poverty in London!
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading What a terrible tangle it was; what a mockery that he should be sitting here at Thexford Hall, while the real owner was living in poverty in London!
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The Marquess was sitting in his usual deep chair, his hands folded on his knees, his head bowed; he looked as if he were asleep, but he was not; he was thinking, at that moment, of the half-tipsy son he had left in the dining-room, of the thin, bent figure of the old man who had suddenly reappeared on that morning months ago at Sutcombe House.
