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Chapter I
_Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine. She said mildly, "You're late." "Don't yell at me, I feel awful," Simon told her. He sat down at his desk, passed his tongue over his teeth in distaste, groaned, fumbled in a drawer for the aspirin bottle. He looked over at Betty and said, almost as though reciting, "What I need is a vacation."
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “_Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “_Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “He looked over at Betty and said, almost as though reciting, "What I need is a vacation."”
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading “_Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “_Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.”
above and across; more than
From this reading “He sat down at his desk, passed his tongue over his teeth in distaste, groaned, fumbled in a drawer for the aspirin bottle.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “He sat down at his desk, passed his tongue over his teeth in distaste, groaned, fumbled in a drawer for the aspirin bottle.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “_Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.”
in spite of the fact that
From this reading “_Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “"Don't yell at me, I feel awful," Simon told her.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “He sat down at his desk, passed his tongue over his teeth in distaste, groaned, fumbled in a drawer for the aspirin bottle.”
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “_Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.”
Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He sat down at his desk, passed his tongue over his teeth in distaste, groaned, fumbled in a drawer for the aspirin bottle.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked over at Betty and said, almost as though reciting, "What I need is a vacation."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He looked over at Betty and said, almost as though reciting, "What I need is a vacation."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat down at his desk, passed his tongue over his teeth in distaste, groaned, fumbled in a drawer for the aspirin bottle.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Don't yell at me, I feel awful," Simon told her.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Don't yell at me, I feel awful," Simon told her.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat down at his desk, passed his tongue over his teeth in distaste, groaned, fumbled in a drawer for the aspirin bottle.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading _Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat down at his desk, passed his tongue over his teeth in distaste, groaned, fumbled in a drawer for the aspirin bottle.
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading _Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat down at his desk, passed his tongue over his teeth in distaste, groaned, fumbled in a drawer for the aspirin bottle.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Don't yell at me, I feel awful," Simon told her.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat down at his desk, passed his tongue over his teeth in distaste, groaned, fumbled in a drawer for the aspirin bottle.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat down at his desk, passed his tongue over his teeth in distaste, groaned, fumbled in a drawer for the aspirin bottle.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Don't yell at me, I feel awful," Simon told her.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He sat down at his desk, passed his tongue over his teeth in distaste, groaned, fumbled in a drawer for the aspirin bottle.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading _Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat down at his desk, passed his tongue over his teeth in distaste, groaned, fumbled in a drawer for the aspirin bottle.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat down at his desk, passed his tongue over his teeth in distaste, groaned, fumbled in a drawer for the aspirin bottle.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading _Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He sat down at his desk, passed his tongue over his teeth in distaste, groaned, fumbled in a drawer for the aspirin bottle.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Don't yell at me, I feel awful," Simon told her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He sat down at his desk, passed his tongue over his teeth in distaste, groaned, fumbled in a drawer for the aspirin bottle.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He looked over at Betty and said, almost as though reciting, "What I need is a vacation."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She said mildly, "You're late."
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading _Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Don't yell at me, I feel awful," Simon told her.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She said mildly, "You're late."
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He looked over at Betty and said, almost as though reciting, "What I need is a vacation."
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading _Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading _Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.
above and across; more than
From this reading He sat down at his desk, passed his tongue over his teeth in distaste, groaned, fumbled in a drawer for the aspirin bottle.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He sat down at his desk, passed his tongue over his teeth in distaste, groaned, fumbled in a drawer for the aspirin bottle.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked over at Betty and said, almost as though reciting, "What I need is a vacation."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She said mildly, "You're late."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat down at his desk, passed his tongue over his teeth in distaste, groaned, fumbled in a drawer for the aspirin bottle.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She said mildly, "You're late."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Don't yell at me, I feel awful," Simon told her.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat down at his desk, passed his tongue over his teeth in distaste, groaned, fumbled in a drawer for the aspirin bottle.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading _Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading _Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Don't yell at me, I feel awful," Simon told her.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He sat down at his desk, passed his tongue over his teeth in distaste, groaned, fumbled in a drawer for the aspirin bottle.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked over at Betty and said, almost as though reciting, "What I need is a vacation."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He looked over at Betty and said, almost as though reciting, "What I need is a vacation."
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading _Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could bring back from the wonderful future ... and though he didn't want to ... nevertheless he did...._ Betty looked up from her magazine.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Don't yell at me, I feel awful," Simon told her.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She said mildly, "You're late."
