Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
actually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
aperture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
Archibald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archibald pushed the nail into it, thereby informing himself that the hole went straight into the wall, for a distance greater than the length of the nail; but how much greater, and what was at the end of it, he could only conjecture.
aside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Archibald pushed the nail into it, thereby informing himself that the hole went straight into the wall, for a distance greater than the length of the nail; but how much greater, and what was at the end of it, he could only conjecture.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading What could be the object of it?
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
bottom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We must imagine him now standing upon a chair, with the nail in his hand, casting about in his mind for some means of probing this mysterious and unexpected hole to the bottom.
boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
brief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Archibald pushed the nail into it, thereby informing himself that the hole went straight into the wall, for a distance greater than the length of the nail; but how much greater, and what was at the end of it, he could only conjecture.
casting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We must imagine him now standing upon a chair, with the nail in his hand, casting about in his mind for some means of probing this mysterious and unexpected hole to the bottom.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We must imagine him now standing upon a chair, with the nail in his hand, casting about in his mind for some means of probing this mysterious and unexpected hole to the bottom.
circular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
conjecture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archibald pushed the nail into it, thereby informing himself that the hole went straight into the wall, for a distance greater than the length of the nail; but how much greater, and what was at the end of it, he could only conjecture.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading What could be the object of it?
determine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
diameter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
disclosing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
disk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
distance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archibald pushed the nail into it, thereby informing himself that the hole went straight into the wall, for a distance greater than the length of the nail; but how much greater, and what was at the end of it, he could only conjecture.
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archibald pushed the nail into it, thereby informing himself that the hole went straight into the wall, for a distance greater than the length of the nail; but how much greater, and what was at the end of it, he could only conjecture.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Archibald pushed the nail into it, thereby informing himself that the hole went straight into the wall, for a distance greater than the length of the nail; but how much greater, and what was at the end of it, he could only conjecture.
fresh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
greater
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archibald pushed the nail into it, thereby informing himself that the hole went straight into the wall, for a distance greater than the length of the nail; but how much greater, and what was at the end of it, he could only conjecture.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We must imagine him now standing upon a chair, with the nail in his hand, casting about in his mind for some means of probing this mysterious and unexpected hole to the bottom.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Archibald pushed the nail into it, thereby informing himself that the hole went straight into the wall, for a distance greater than the length of the nail; but how much greater, and what was at the end of it, he could only conjecture.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading We must imagine him now standing upon a chair, with the nail in his hand, casting about in his mind for some means of probing this mysterious and unexpected hole to the bottom.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Archibald pushed the nail into it, thereby informing himself that the hole went straight into the wall, for a distance greater than the length of the nail; but how much greater, and what was at the end of it, he could only conjecture.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading We must imagine him now standing upon a chair, with the nail in his hand, casting about in his mind for some means of probing this mysterious and unexpected hole to the bottom.
hole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archibald pushed the nail into it, thereby informing himself that the hole went straight into the wall, for a distance greater than the length of the nail; but how much greater, and what was at the end of it, he could only conjecture.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archibald pushed the nail into it, thereby informing himself that the hole went straight into the wall, for a distance greater than the length of the nail; but how much greater, and what was at the end of it, he could only conjecture.
imaginenounUS /ˈimagine/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading We must imagine him now standing upon a chair, with the nail in his hand, casting about in his mind for some means of probing this mysterious and unexpected hole to the bottom.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
inches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
informing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archibald pushed the nail into it, thereby informing himself that the hole went straight into the wall, for a distance greater than the length of the nail; but how much greater, and what was at the end of it, he could only conjecture.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
investigation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
iron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading What could be the object of it?
keyhole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
lengthnounUS /leŋθ/
a period of time or extent
From this reading Archibald pushed the nail into it, thereby informing himself that the hole went straight into the wall, for a distance greater than the length of the nail; but how much greater, and what was at the end of it, he could only conjecture.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
lid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
match
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We must imagine him now standing upon a chair, with the nail in his hand, casting about in his mind for some means of probing this mysterious and unexpected hole to the bottom.
metal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We must imagine him now standing upon a chair, with the nail in his hand, casting about in his mind for some means of probing this mysterious and unexpected hole to the bottom.
movable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archibald pushed the nail into it, thereby informing himself that the hole went straight into the wall, for a distance greater than the length of the nail; but how much greater, and what was at the end of it, he could only conjecture.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading We must imagine him now standing upon a chair, with the nail in his hand, casting about in his mind for some means of probing this mysterious and unexpected hole to the bottom.
mysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/
difficult to explain or understand
From this reading We must imagine him now standing upon a chair, with the nail in his hand, casting about in his mind for some means of probing this mysterious and unexpected hole to the bottom.
nail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
object
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What could be the object of it?
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archibald pushed the nail into it, thereby informing himself that the hole went straight into the wall, for a distance greater than the length of the nail; but how much greater, and what was at the end of it, he could only conjecture.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
paint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
painted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
plasternounUS /ˈplæstər/
a soft material used to cover and protect a wound
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
probing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We must imagine him now standing upon a chair, with the nail in his hand, casting about in his mind for some means of probing this mysterious and unexpected hole to the bottom.
pushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
revealed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
scratch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
screen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading We must imagine him now standing upon a chair, with the nail in his hand, casting about in his mind for some means of probing this mysterious and unexpected hole to the bottom.
straight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archibald pushed the nail into it, thereby informing himself that the hole went straight into the wall, for a distance greater than the length of the nail; but how much greater, and what was at the end of it, he could only conjecture.
surface
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Archibald pushed the nail into it, thereby informing himself that the hole went straight into the wall, for a distance greater than the length of the nail; but how much greater, and what was at the end of it, he could only conjecture.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
thereby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archibald pushed the nail into it, thereby informing himself that the hole went straight into the wall, for a distance greater than the length of the nail; but how much greater, and what was at the end of it, he could only conjecture.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading We must imagine him now standing upon a chair, with the nail in his hand, casting about in his mind for some means of probing this mysterious and unexpected hole to the bottom.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
underneathprepositionUS /ˌʌndərˈniːθ/
directly under, often hidden by what is above
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
unexpected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We must imagine him now standing upon a chair, with the nail in his hand, casting about in his mind for some means of probing this mysterious and unexpected hole to the bottom.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading We must imagine him now standing upon a chair, with the nail in his hand, casting about in his mind for some means of probing this mysterious and unexpected hole to the bottom.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We must imagine him now standing upon a chair, with the nail in his hand, casting about in his mind for some means of probing this mysterious and unexpected hole to the bottom.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Archibald pushed the nail into it, thereby informing himself that the hole went straight into the wall, for a distance greater than the length of the nail; but how much greater, and what was at the end of it, he could only conjecture.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What could be the object of it?
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A brief investigation now revealed the fact that a circular disk of iron, about three inches in diameter, and painted white to match the plaster, was here let into the wall.
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading With a fresh nail the boy began to scratch off the paint from the surface of the disk, in order to determine whether it were actually iron, or some other metal; in so doing a small movable lid, like the screen of a keyhole, was pushed aside, disclosing a little round aperture underneath.
