AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Of course, as a mere matter of information it is quite unnecessary to mention the date at all.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading I begin this way because it is the proper, orthodox, respectable way to begin, and I have been brought up in a proper, orthodox, respectable way, and taught to always do the proper, orthodox, respectable thing; and the habit clings to me.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Of course, as a mere matter of information it is quite unnecessary to mention the date at all.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Of course, as a mere matter of information it is quite unnecessary to mention the date at all.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading I begin this way because it is the proper, orthodox, respectable way to begin, and I have been brought up in a proper, orthodox, respectable way, and taught to always do the proper, orthodox, respectable thing; and the habit clings to me.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I begin this way because it is the proper, orthodox, respectable way to begin, and I have been brought up in a proper, orthodox, respectable way, and taught to always do the proper, orthodox, respectable thing; and the habit clings to me.
beginverbUS /bɪˈɡɪn/
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading I begin this way because it is the proper, orthodox, respectable way to begin, and I have been brought up in a proper, orthodox, respectable way, and taught to always do the proper, orthodox, respectable thing; and the habit clings to me.
Biffles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
BlueadjectiveUS /bluː/
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
broughtverbUS /brɔːt/
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading I begin this way because it is the proper, orthodox, respectable way to begin, and I have been brought up in a proper, orthodox, respectable way, and taught to always do the proper, orthodox, respectable thing; and the habit clings to me.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
ChambernounUS /ˈtʃeɪmbər/
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
ChristmasnounUS /ˈkrɪsməs/
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
clingsnounUS /klɪŋz/
plural of “cling” — fruit (especially peach) whose flesh adheres strongly to the pit
From this reading I begin this way because it is the proper, orthodox, respectable way to begin, and I have been brought up in a proper, orthodox, respectable way, and taught to always do the proper, orthodox, respectable thing; and the habit clings to me.
Coombe's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
coursenounUS /kɔːrs/
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Of course, as a mere matter of information it is quite unnecessary to mention the date at all.
datenounUS /deɪt/
the specified day of the month
From this reading Of course, as a mere matter of information it is quite unnecessary to mention the date at all.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I begin this way because it is the proper, orthodox, respectable way to begin, and I have been brought up in a proper, orthodox, respectable way, and taught to always do the proper, orthodox, respectable thing; and the habit clings to me.
Doctor'snounUS /ˈdɑːktərz/
possessive form of “doctor” — a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
Emily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
EvenounUS /iːv/
(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
experiencedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspɪriənst/
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading The experienced reader knows it was Christmas Eve, without my telling him.
ExplanationnounUS /ˌekspləˈneɪʃən/
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
FaithfuladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪθfəl/
steadfast in affection or allegiance
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
galanounUS /ˈɡælə/
a gay festivity
From this reading It always is Christmas Eve, in a ghost story, Christmas Eve is the ghosts' great gala night.
GhostnounUS /ɡoʊst/
a mental representation of some haunting experience
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
ghostsnounUS /ɡoʊsts/
plural of “ghost” — a mental representation of some haunting experience
From this reading It always is Christmas Eve, in a ghost story, Christmas Eve is the ghosts' great gala night.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It always is Christmas Eve, in a ghost story, Christmas Eve is the ghosts' great gala night.
habitnounUS /ˈhæbət/
an established custom
From this reading I begin this way because it is the proper, orthodox, respectable way to begin, and I have been brought up in a proper, orthodox, respectable way, and taught to always do the proper, orthodox, respectable thing; and the habit clings to me.
HauntedadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːntɪd/
having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I begin this way because it is the proper, orthodox, respectable way to begin, and I have been brought up in a proper, orthodox, respectable way, and taught to always do the proper, orthodox, respectable thing; and the habit clings to me.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The experienced reader knows it was Christmas Eve, without my telling him.
HomenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I begin this way because it is the proper, orthodox, respectable way to begin, and I have been brought up in a proper, orthodox, respectable way, and taught to always do the proper, orthodox, respectable thing; and the habit clings to me.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I begin this way because it is the proper, orthodox, respectable way to begin, and I have been brought up in a proper, orthodox, respectable way, and taught to always do the proper, orthodox, respectable thing; and the habit clings to me.
informationnounUS /ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən/
a message received and understood
From this reading Of course, as a mere matter of information it is quite unnecessary to mention the date at all.
InterludenounUS /ˈɪntərluːd/
an intervening period or episode
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
IntroductoryadjectiveUS /ˌɪntrəˈdʌktəri/
serving to open or begin
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I begin this way because it is the proper, orthodox, respectable way to begin, and I have been brought up in a proper, orthodox, respectable way, and taught to always do the proper, orthodox, respectable thing; and the habit clings to me.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
JohnsonnounUS /ˈdʒɑːnsən/
English writer and lexicographer (1709-1784)
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
knowsnounUS /noʊz/
plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people
From this reading The experienced reader knows it was Christmas Eve, without my telling him.
matternounUS /ˈmætər/
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Of course, as a mere matter of information it is quite unnecessary to mention the date at all.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I begin this way because it is the proper, orthodox, respectable way to begin, and I have been brought up in a proper, orthodox, respectable way, and taught to always do the proper, orthodox, respectable thing; and the habit clings to me.
mentionverbUS /ˈmenʃən/
make reference to
From this reading Of course, as a mere matter of information it is quite unnecessary to mention the date at all.
mereadjectiveUS /mɪr/
being nothing more than specified
From this reading Of course, as a mere matter of information it is quite unnecessary to mention the date at all.
MillverbUS /mɪl/
move about in a confused manner
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It always is Christmas Eve, in a ghost story, Christmas Eve is the ghosts' great gala night.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
orthodoxadjectiveUS /ˈɔːrθədɑːks/
of or pertaining to or characteristic of Judaism
From this reading I begin this way because it is the proper, orthodox, respectable way to begin, and I have been brought up in a proper, orthodox, respectable way, and taught to always do the proper, orthodox, respectable thing; and the habit clings to me.
OwnverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
PersonaladjectiveUS /ˈpɜːrsɪnəl/
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
properadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːpər/
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading I begin this way because it is the proper, orthodox, respectable way to begin, and I have been brought up in a proper, orthodox, respectable way, and taught to always do the proper, orthodox, respectable thing; and the habit clings to me.
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Of course, as a mere matter of information it is quite unnecessary to mention the date at all.
readernounUS /ˈriːdər/
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading The experienced reader knows it was Christmas Eve, without my telling him.
respectableadjectiveUS /rɪˈspektəbəl/
characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals
From this reading I begin this way because it is the proper, orthodox, respectable way to begin, and I have been brought up in a proper, orthodox, respectable way, and taught to always do the proper, orthodox, respectable thing; and the habit clings to me.
RuinedadjectiveUS /ˈruːənd/
destroyed physically or morally
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
StoriesnounUS /ˈstɔːriz/
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
StorynounUS /ˈstɔːri/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
taughtverbUS /tɔːt/
inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading I begin this way because it is the proper, orthodox, respectable way to begin, and I have been brought up in a proper, orthodox, respectable way, and taught to always do the proper, orthodox, respectable thing; and the habit clings to me.
TeddynounUS /ˈtedi/
plaything consisting of a child's toy bear (usually plush and stuffed with soft materials)
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
tellingadjectiveUS /ˈtelɪŋ/
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading The experienced reader knows it was Christmas Eve, without my telling him.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
thingnounUS /θɪŋ/
a special situation
From this reading I begin this way because it is the proper, orthodox, respectable way to begin, and I have been brought up in a proper, orthodox, respectable way, and taught to always do the proper, orthodox, respectable thing; and the habit clings to me.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I begin this way because it is the proper, orthodox, respectable way to begin, and I have been brought up in a proper, orthodox, respectable way, and taught to always do the proper, orthodox, respectable thing; and the habit clings to me.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
toldverbUS /toʊld/
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
Uncle'snounUS /ˈʌŋkəlz/
possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
unnecessaryadjectiveUS /ənˈnesəseri/
not necessary
From this reading Of course, as a mere matter of information it is quite unnecessary to mention the date at all.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading I begin this way because it is the proper, orthodox, respectable way to begin, and I have been brought up in a proper, orthodox, respectable way, and taught to always do the proper, orthodox, respectable thing; and the habit clings to me.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Introductory How the Stories came to be told Teddy Biffles' Story--Johnson and Emily; or, the Faithful Ghost Interlude--The Doctor's Story Mr. Coombe's Story--The Haunted Mill; or, the Ruined Home Interlude My Uncle's Story--The Ghost of the Blue Chamber A Personal Explanation My Own Story It was Christmas Eve.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading I begin this way because it is the proper, orthodox, respectable way to begin, and I have been brought up in a proper, orthodox, respectable way, and taught to always do the proper, orthodox, respectable thing; and the habit clings to me.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The experienced reader knows it was Christmas Eve, without my telling him.
