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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 As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Otherwise an unthinkable horror might be brought about."
affairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those who have read "Ashton-Kirk, Investigator" will recall references to several affairs in which the United States government found the investigator's unusual powers of inestimable service.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Otherwise an unthinkable horror might be brought about."
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In such matters, tremendous interests often stand dangerously balanced, and the most delicate touch is required if they are not to be sent toppling.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In such matters, tremendous interests often stand dangerously balanced, and the most delicate touch is required if they are not to be sent toppling.
arises
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From this reading As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure.
armies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure.
Ashton-Kirk
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From this reading BY John T. McIntyre Author of "Ashton-Kirk Investigator," &c.
Author
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From this reading BY John T. McIntyre Author of "Ashton-Kirk Investigator," &c.
balanced
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From this reading In such matters, tremendous interests often stand dangerously balanced, and the most delicate touch is required if they are not to be sent toppling.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In such matters, tremendous interests often stand dangerously balanced, and the most delicate touch is required if they are not to be sent toppling.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Otherwise an unthinkable horror might be brought about."
BYprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading BY John T. McIntyre Author of "Ashton-Kirk Investigator," &c.
c
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From this reading BY John T. McIntyre Author of "Ashton-Kirk Investigator," &c.
control
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From this reading As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure.
crisis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure.
dangerouslyadverbUS /ˈdeɪn.dʒər.əs.li/
In a way that involves danger or risk.
From this reading In such matters, tremendous interests often stand dangerously balanced, and the most delicate touch is required if they are not to be sent toppling.
delicate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In such matters, tremendous interests often stand dangerously balanced, and the most delicate touch is required if they are not to be sent toppling.
dreadfuladjectiveUS /ˈdrɛdfəl/
extremely frightening or unpleasant
From this reading As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure.
engines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure.
fleets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Those who have read "Ashton-Kirk, Investigator" will recall references to several affairs in which the United States government found the investigator's unusual powers of inestimable service.
giant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure.
government
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those who have read "Ashton-Kirk, Investigator" will recall references to several affairs in which the United States government found the investigator's unusual powers of inestimable service.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Those who have read "Ashton-Kirk, Investigator" will recall references to several affairs in which the United States government found the investigator's unusual powers of inestimable service.
horror
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From this reading Otherwise an unthinkable horror might be brought about."
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading In such matters, tremendous interests often stand dangerously balanced, and the most delicate touch is required if they are not to be sent toppling.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Those who have read "Ashton-Kirk, Investigator" will recall references to several affairs in which the United States government found the investigator's unusual powers of inestimable service.
inestimable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those who have read "Ashton-Kirk, Investigator" will recall references to several affairs in which the United States government found the investigator's unusual powers of inestimable service.
interests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In such matters, tremendous interests often stand dangerously balanced, and the most delicate touch is required if they are not to be sent toppling.
Investigator
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BY John T. McIntyre Author of "Ashton-Kirk Investigator," &c.
investigator's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those who have read "Ashton-Kirk, Investigator" will recall references to several affairs in which the United States government found the investigator's unusual powers of inestimable service.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In such matters, tremendous interests often stand dangerously balanced, and the most delicate touch is required if they are not to be sent toppling.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BY John T. McIntyre Author of "Ashton-Kirk Investigator," &c.
matters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In such matters, tremendous interests often stand dangerously balanced, and the most delicate touch is required if they are not to be sent toppling.
McIntyre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BY John T. McIntyre Author of "Ashton-Kirk Investigator," &c.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Otherwise an unthinkable horror might be brought about."
modern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In such matters, tremendous interests often stand dangerously balanced, and the most delicate touch is required if they are not to be sent toppling.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure.
nations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In such matters, tremendous interests often stand dangerously balanced, and the most delicate touch is required if they are not to be sent toppling.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BY John T. McIntyre Author of "Ashton-Kirk Investigator," &c.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In such matters, tremendous interests often stand dangerously balanced, and the most delicate touch is required if they are not to be sent toppling.
Otherwise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Otherwise an unthinkable horror might be brought about."
powersnounUS /powers/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Those who have read "Ashton-Kirk, Investigator" will recall references to several affairs in which the United States government found the investigator's unusual powers of inestimable service.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those who have read "Ashton-Kirk, Investigator" will recall references to several affairs in which the United States government found the investigator's unusual powers of inestimable service.
recall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those who have read "Ashton-Kirk, Investigator" will recall references to several affairs in which the United States government found the investigator's unusual powers of inestimable service.
references
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those who have read "Ashton-Kirk, Investigator" will recall references to several affairs in which the United States government found the investigator's unusual powers of inestimable service.
requirednounUS /required/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In such matters, tremendous interests often stand dangerously balanced, and the most delicate touch is required if they are not to be sent toppling.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In such matters, tremendous interests often stand dangerously balanced, and the most delicate touch is required if they are not to be sent toppling.
service
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those who have read "Ashton-Kirk, Investigator" will recall references to several affairs in which the United States government found the investigator's unusual powers of inestimable service.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those who have read "Ashton-Kirk, Investigator" will recall references to several affairs in which the United States government found the investigator's unusual powers of inestimable service.
stand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In such matters, tremendous interests often stand dangerously balanced, and the most delicate touch is required if they are not to be sent toppling.
States
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those who have read "Ashton-Kirk, Investigator" will recall references to several affairs in which the United States government found the investigator's unusual powers of inestimable service.
steady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading In such matters, tremendous interests often stand dangerously balanced, and the most delicate touch is required if they are not to be sent toppling.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure.
swift
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure.
T
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BY John T. McIntyre Author of "Ashton-Kirk Investigator," &c.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Those who have read "Ashton-Kirk, Investigator" will recall references to several affairs in which the United States government found the investigator's unusual powers of inestimable service.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In such matters, tremendous interests often stand dangerously balanced, and the most delicate touch is required if they are not to be sent toppling.
ThosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Those who have read "Ashton-Kirk, Investigator" will recall references to several affairs in which the United States government found the investigator's unusual powers of inestimable service.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Those who have read "Ashton-Kirk, Investigator" will recall references to several affairs in which the United States government found the investigator's unusual powers of inestimable service.
topplingadjectiveUS /ˈtɑːpəlɪŋ/
falling or likely to fall over
From this reading In such matters, tremendous interests often stand dangerously balanced, and the most delicate touch is required if they are not to be sent toppling.
touch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In such matters, tremendous interests often stand dangerously balanced, and the most delicate touch is required if they are not to be sent toppling.
tremendous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In such matters, tremendous interests often stand dangerously balanced, and the most delicate touch is required if they are not to be sent toppling.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure.
United
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those who have read "Ashton-Kirk, Investigator" will recall references to several affairs in which the United States government found the investigator's unusual powers of inestimable service.
unthinkable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Otherwise an unthinkable horror might be brought about."
unusual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those who have read "Ashton-Kirk, Investigator" will recall references to several affairs in which the United States government found the investigator's unusual powers of inestimable service.
vast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure.
war
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Those who have read "Ashton-Kirk, Investigator" will recall references to several affairs in which the United States government found the investigator's unusual powers of inestimable service.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Those who have read "Ashton-Kirk, Investigator" will recall references to several affairs in which the United States government found the investigator's unusual powers of inestimable service.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Those who have read "Ashton-Kirk, Investigator" will recall references to several affairs in which the United States government found the investigator's unusual powers of inestimable service.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure.
