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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 By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
ago
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had Lorraine been in her normal condition, she could hardly have failed to notice that the “Hal” who came up in haste to ask this urgent question was not the “Hal” of a few months, a few weeks ago.
Alymer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would probably have observed that the vague, indefinable change Alymer had seen in her had grown more marked and more defined.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
answerednounUS /ˈanswered/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
ask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
banished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she saw Lorraine in tears the question was instantly banished for the moment.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Had Lorraine been in her normal condition, she could hardly have failed to notice that the “Hal” who came up in haste to ask this urgent question was not the “Hal” of a few months, a few weeks ago.
ByprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had Lorraine been in her normal condition, she could hardly have failed to notice that the “Hal” who came up in haste to ask this urgent question was not the “Hal” of a few months, a few weeks ago.
chance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
change
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would probably have observed that the vague, indefinable change Alymer had seen in her had grown more marked and more defined.
concerning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
condition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had Lorraine been in her normal condition, she could hardly have failed to notice that the “Hal” who came up in haste to ask this urgent question was not the “Hal” of a few months, a few weeks ago.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Had Lorraine been in her normal condition, she could hardly have failed to notice that the “Hal” who came up in haste to ask this urgent question was not the “Hal” of a few months, a few weeks ago.
Crathie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
defined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would probably have observed that the vague, indefinable change Alymer had seen in her had grown more marked and more defined.
Edwin
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From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
failed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had Lorraine been in her normal condition, she could hardly have failed to notice that the “Hal” who came up in haste to ask this urgent question was not the “Hal” of a few months, a few weeks ago.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had Lorraine been in her normal condition, she could hardly have failed to notice that the “Hal” who came up in haste to ask this urgent question was not the “Hal” of a few months, a few weeks ago.
flat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When she saw Lorraine in tears the question was instantly banished for the moment.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was there Hal found her.
grown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would probably have observed that the vague, indefinable change Alymer had seen in her had grown more marked and more defined.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
Hal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was there Hal found her.
hardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had Lorraine been in her normal condition, she could hardly have failed to notice that the “Hal” who came up in haste to ask this urgent question was not the “Hal” of a few months, a few weeks ago.
haste
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had Lorraine been in her normal condition, she could hardly have failed to notice that the “Hal” who came up in haste to ask this urgent question was not the “Hal” of a few months, a few weeks ago.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was there Hal found her.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
imperative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When she saw Lorraine in tears the question was instantly banished for the moment.
indefinable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would probably have observed that the vague, indefinable change Alymer had seen in her had grown more marked and more defined.
instantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she saw Lorraine in tears the question was instantly banished for the moment.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was there Hal found her.
Lorraine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she saw Lorraine in tears the question was instantly banished for the moment.
marked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would probably have observed that the vague, indefinable change Alymer had seen in her had grown more marked and more defined.
merest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
midday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she saw Lorraine in tears the question was instantly banished for the moment.
months
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had Lorraine been in her normal condition, she could hardly have failed to notice that the “Hal” who came up in haste to ask this urgent question was not the “Hal” of a few months, a few weeks ago.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would probably have observed that the vague, indefinable change Alymer had seen in her had grown more marked and more defined.
neednounUS /need/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
normal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had Lorraine been in her normal condition, she could hardly have failed to notice that the “Hal” who came up in haste to ask this urgent question was not the “Hal” of a few months, a few weeks ago.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Had Lorraine been in her normal condition, she could hardly have failed to notice that the “Hal” who came up in haste to ask this urgent question was not the “Hal” of a few months, a few weeks ago.
notice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had Lorraine been in her normal condition, she could hardly have failed to notice that the “Hal” who came up in haste to ask this urgent question was not the “Hal” of a few months, a few weeks ago.
observed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would probably have observed that the vague, indefinable change Alymer had seen in her had grown more marked and more defined.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Had Lorraine been in her normal condition, she could hardly have failed to notice that the “Hal” who came up in haste to ask this urgent question was not the “Hal” of a few months, a few weeks ago.
probably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would probably have observed that the vague, indefinable change Alymer had seen in her had grown more marked and more defined.
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
rumour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
run
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she saw Lorraine in tears the question was instantly banished for the moment.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would probably have observed that the vague, indefinable change Alymer had seen in her had grown more marked and more defined.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
Sir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
tears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she saw Lorraine in tears the question was instantly banished for the moment.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was there Hal found her.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Had Lorraine been in her normal condition, she could hardly have failed to notice that the “Hal” who came up in haste to ask this urgent question was not the “Hal” of a few months, a few weeks ago.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the merest chance she had run up to the flat at her midday hour, to ask a question about Sir Edwin Crathie, and a rumour concerning him that she felt an imperative need to have answered.
urgent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had Lorraine been in her normal condition, she could hardly have failed to notice that the “Hal” who came up in haste to ask this urgent question was not the “Hal” of a few months, a few weeks ago.
vague
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would probably have observed that the vague, indefinable change Alymer had seen in her had grown more marked and more defined.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was there Hal found her.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had Lorraine been in her normal condition, she could hardly have failed to notice that the “Hal” who came up in haste to ask this urgent question was not the “Hal” of a few months, a few weeks ago.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When she saw Lorraine in tears the question was instantly banished for the moment.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Had Lorraine been in her normal condition, she could hardly have failed to notice that the “Hal” who came up in haste to ask this urgent question was not the “Hal” of a few months, a few weeks ago.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She would probably have observed that the vague, indefinable change Alymer had seen in her had grown more marked and more defined.
