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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 On those singular occasions when a perfectly brave man has no choice but to run, there is not much time to spare.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
afterwards
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From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
all
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From this reading A few steps farther on, he stopped short and listened, believing himself alone and not at all sure where he was.
almost
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From this reading The young Venetian strained his strength and his wind to get as far as he could from his pursuers in the shortest possible time, and he was so successful that he was out of their reach almost before they were aware that he had fled.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A few steps farther on, he stopped short and listened, believing himself alone and not at all sure where he was.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
any
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From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The young Venetian strained his strength and his wind to get as far as he could from his pursuers in the shortest possible time, and he was so successful that he was out of their reach almost before they were aware that he had fled.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
aware
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From this reading The young Venetian strained his strength and his wind to get as far as he could from his pursuers in the shortest possible time, and he was so successful that he was out of their reach almost before they were aware that he had fled.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The young Venetian strained his strength and his wind to get as far as he could from his pursuers in the shortest possible time, and he was so successful that he was out of their reach almost before they were aware that he had fled.
believing
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From this reading A few steps farther on, he stopped short and listened, believing himself alone and not at all sure where he was.
Blachernæ
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From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
borrowed
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From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
brave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On those singular occasions when a perfectly brave man has no choice but to run, there is not much time to spare.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
charger
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From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
choice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On those singular occasions when a perfectly brave man has no choice but to run, there is not much time to spare.
choosenounUS /choose/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
corner
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From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The young Venetian strained his strength and his wind to get as far as he could from his pursuers in the shortest possible time, and he was so successful that he was out of their reach almost before they were aware that he had fled.
covering
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From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
darkest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
direction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
double
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From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
entrance
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From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
far
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From this reading The young Venetian strained his strength and his wind to get as far as he could from his pursuers in the shortest possible time, and he was so successful that he was out of their reach almost before they were aware that he had fled.
farther
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From this reading A few steps farther on, he stopped short and listened, believing himself alone and not at all sure where he was.
few
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From this reading A few steps farther on, he stopped short and listened, believing himself alone and not at all sure where he was.
fifty
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From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
fled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young Venetian strained his strength and his wind to get as far as he could from his pursuers in the shortest possible time, and he was so successful that he was out of their reach almost before they were aware that he had fled.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young Venetian strained his strength and his wind to get as far as he could from his pursuers in the shortest possible time, and he was so successful that he was out of their reach almost before they were aware that he had fled.
greatest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On those singular occasions when a perfectly brave man has no choice but to run, there is not much time to spare.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading A few steps farther on, he stopped short and listened, believing himself alone and not at all sure where he was.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The young Venetian strained his strength and his wind to get as far as he could from his pursuers in the shortest possible time, and he was so successful that he was out of their reach almost before they were aware that he had fled.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On those singular occasions when a perfectly brave man has no choice but to run, there is not much time to spare.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
judged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
listened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few steps farther on, he stopped short and listened, believing himself alone and not at all sure where he was.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On those singular occasions when a perfectly brave man has no choice but to run, there is not much time to spare.
meeting
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From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On those singular occasions when a perfectly brave man has no choice but to run, there is not much time to spare.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading On those singular occasions when a perfectly brave man has no choice but to run, there is not much time to spare.
obstacle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
occasions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On those singular occasions when a perfectly brave man has no choice but to run, there is not much time to spare.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On those singular occasions when a perfectly brave man has no choice but to run, there is not much time to spare.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young Venetian strained his strength and his wind to get as far as he could from his pursuers in the shortest possible time, and he was so successful that he was out of their reach almost before they were aware that he had fled.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
pausing
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From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
perfectly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On those singular occasions when a perfectly brave man has no choice but to run, there is not much time to spare.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
pursuers
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From this reading The young Venetian strained his strength and his wind to get as far as he could from his pursuers in the shortest possible time, and he was so successful that he was out of their reach almost before they were aware that he had fled.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
reach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young Venetian strained his strength and his wind to get as far as he could from his pursuers in the shortest possible time, and he was so successful that he was out of their reach almost before they were aware that he had fled.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
run
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On those singular occasions when a perfectly brave man has no choice but to run, there is not much time to spare.
rushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading A few steps farther on, he stopped short and listened, believing himself alone and not at all sure where he was.
shortest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young Venetian strained his strength and his wind to get as far as he could from his pursuers in the shortest possible time, and he was so successful that he was out of their reach almost before they were aware that he had fled.
singular
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From this reading On those singular occasions when a perfectly brave man has no choice but to run, there is not much time to spare.
slipped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The young Venetian strained his strength and his wind to get as far as he could from his pursuers in the shortest possible time, and he was so successful that he was out of their reach almost before they were aware that he had fled.
space
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
spare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On those singular occasions when a perfectly brave man has no choice but to run, there is not much time to spare.
speed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
square
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few steps farther on, he stopped short and listened, believing himself alone and not at all sure where he was.
stoppednounUS /stopped/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A few steps farther on, he stopped short and listened, believing himself alone and not at all sure where he was.
straight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
strained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young Venetian strained his strength and his wind to get as far as he could from his pursuers in the shortest possible time, and he was so successful that he was out of their reach almost before they were aware that he had fled.
street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The young Venetian strained his strength and his wind to get as far as he could from his pursuers in the shortest possible time, and he was so successful that he was out of their reach almost before they were aware that he had fled.
stumbling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
successful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young Venetian strained his strength and his wind to get as far as he could from his pursuers in the shortest possible time, and he was so successful that he was out of their reach almost before they were aware that he had fled.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A few steps farther on, he stopped short and listened, believing himself alone and not at all sure where he was.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The young Venetian strained his strength and his wind to get as far as he could from his pursuers in the shortest possible time, and he was so successful that he was out of their reach almost before they were aware that he had fled.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On those singular occasions when a perfectly brave man has no choice but to run, there is not much time to spare.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The young Venetian strained his strength and his wind to get as far as he could from his pursuers in the shortest possible time, and he was so successful that he was out of their reach almost before they were aware that he had fled.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading On those singular occasions when a perfectly brave man has no choice but to run, there is not much time to spare.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
unseen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
Venetian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young Venetian strained his strength and his wind to get as far as he could from his pursuers in the shortest possible time, and he was so successful that he was out of their reach almost before they were aware that he had fled.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The young Venetian strained his strength and his wind to get as far as he could from his pursuers in the shortest possible time, and he was so successful that he was out of their reach almost before they were aware that he had fled.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The young Venetian strained his strength and his wind to get as far as he could from his pursuers in the shortest possible time, and he was so successful that he was out of their reach almost before they were aware that he had fled.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading A few steps farther on, he stopped short and listened, believing himself alone and not at all sure where he was.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
wide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The young Venetian strained his strength and his wind to get as far as he could from his pursuers in the shortest possible time, and he was so successful that he was out of their reach almost before they were aware that he had fled.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
yards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first he had run straight across the wide open space before Blachernæ; he had then found the entrance to a street which he had followed for about fifty yards, and he had turned a corner to his left without meeting any one; he had rushed on without pausing till he judged it time to double again and had then turned to the right.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young Venetian strained his strength and his wind to get as far as he could from his pursuers in the shortest possible time, and he was so successful that he was out of their reach almost before they were aware that he had fled.
Zeno
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Zeno slipped from his borrowed charger and ran for his life towards that part of the square that looked darkest, he had no time to choose the direction he would afterwards take, nor to think of anything but covering the ground at the greatest possible speed without stumbling over an unseen obstacle.
