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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 He turned to go back and descend to the shore below, but just then he heard a strange whispering that reechoed through the passages.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading And, as he descended the incline again, he became aware of other couples standing about in the shadows, within alcoves of the cliff, or seated on the grassy slope just outside the wooden hand-rail.
abstraction
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From this reading In his first abstraction he had overlooked these.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He waited a moment, half-startled, half-annoyed at their intrusion, then groped his way after them, eventually stumbling out of the tunnel's mouth.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And, as he descended the incline again, he became aware of other couples standing about in the shadows, within alcoves of the cliff, or seated on the grassy slope just outside the wooden hand-rail.
alcoves
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From this reading And, as he descended the incline again, he became aware of other couples standing about in the shadows, within alcoves of the cliff, or seated on the grassy slope just outside the wooden hand-rail.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He turned to go back and descend to the shore below, but just then he heard a strange whispering that reechoed through the passages.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading And, as he descended the incline again, he became aware of other couples standing about in the shadows, within alcoves of the cliff, or seated on the grassy slope just outside the wooden hand-rail.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He waited a moment, half-startled, half-annoyed at their intrusion, then groped his way after them, eventually stumbling out of the tunnel's mouth.
aware
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And, as he descended the incline again, he became aware of other couples standing about in the shadows, within alcoves of the cliff, or seated on the grassy slope just outside the wooden hand-rail.
back
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From this reading He turned to go back and descend to the shore below, but just then he heard a strange whispering that reechoed through the passages.
became
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From this reading And, as he descended the incline again, he became aware of other couples standing about in the shadows, within alcoves of the cliff, or seated on the grassy slope just outside the wooden hand-rail.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A flash of light seemed to fly down the long gallery, driving the darkness before it, and then a young man and a girl passed by, the former holding a lighted match.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading He turned to go back and descend to the shore below, but just then he heard a strange whispering that reechoed through the passages.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He turned to go back and descend to the shore below, but just then he heard a strange whispering that reechoed through the passages.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A flash of light seemed to fly down the long gallery, driving the darkness before it, and then a young man and a girl passed by, the former holding a lighted match.
cliff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And, as he descended the incline again, he became aware of other couples standing about in the shadows, within alcoves of the cliff, or seated on the grassy slope just outside the wooden hand-rail.
couples
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From this reading And, as he descended the incline again, he became aware of other couples standing about in the shadows, within alcoves of the cliff, or seated on the grassy slope just outside the wooden hand-rail.
darkness
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From this reading A flash of light seemed to fly down the long gallery, driving the darkness before it, and then a young man and a girl passed by, the former holding a lighted match.
descend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He turned to go back and descend to the shore below, but just then he heard a strange whispering that reechoed through the passages.
descendednounUS /ˈdescended/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading And, as he descended the incline again, he became aware of other couples standing about in the shadows, within alcoves of the cliff, or seated on the grassy slope just outside the wooden hand-rail.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A flash of light seemed to fly down the long gallery, driving the darkness before it, and then a young man and a girl passed by, the former holding a lighted match.
driving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A flash of light seemed to fly down the long gallery, driving the darkness before it, and then a young man and a girl passed by, the former holding a lighted match.
eventually
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From this reading He waited a moment, half-startled, half-annoyed at their intrusion, then groped his way after them, eventually stumbling out of the tunnel's mouth.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In his first abstraction he had overlooked these.
flash
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A flash of light seemed to fly down the long gallery, driving the darkness before it, and then a young man and a girl passed by, the former holding a lighted match.
fly
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From this reading A flash of light seemed to fly down the long gallery, driving the darkness before it, and then a young man and a girl passed by, the former holding a lighted match.
former
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From this reading A flash of light seemed to fly down the long gallery, driving the darkness before it, and then a young man and a girl passed by, the former holding a lighted match.
gallery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A flash of light seemed to fly down the long gallery, driving the darkness before it, and then a young man and a girl passed by, the former holding a lighted match.
girl
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From this reading A flash of light seemed to fly down the long gallery, driving the darkness before it, and then a young man and a girl passed by, the former holding a lighted match.
go
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From this reading He turned to go back and descend to the shore below, but just then he heard a strange whispering that reechoed through the passages.
grassy
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From this reading And, as he descended the incline again, he became aware of other couples standing about in the shadows, within alcoves of the cliff, or seated on the grassy slope just outside the wooden hand-rail.
groped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He waited a moment, half-startled, half-annoyed at their intrusion, then groped his way after them, eventually stumbling out of the tunnel's mouth.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In his first abstraction he had overlooked these.
half-annoyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He waited a moment, half-startled, half-annoyed at their intrusion, then groped his way after them, eventually stumbling out of the tunnel's mouth.
half-startled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He waited a moment, half-startled, half-annoyed at their intrusion, then groped his way after them, eventually stumbling out of the tunnel's mouth.
hand-rail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And, as he descended the incline again, he became aware of other couples standing about in the shadows, within alcoves of the cliff, or seated on the grassy slope just outside the wooden hand-rail.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He turned to go back and descend to the shore below, but just then he heard a strange whispering that reechoed through the passages.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He turned to go back and descend to the shore below, but just then he heard a strange whispering that reechoed through the passages.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He waited a moment, half-startled, half-annoyed at their intrusion, then groped his way after them, eventually stumbling out of the tunnel's mouth.
holding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A flash of light seemed to fly down the long gallery, driving the darkness before it, and then a young man and a girl passed by, the former holding a lighted match.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And, as he descended the incline again, he became aware of other couples standing about in the shadows, within alcoves of the cliff, or seated on the grassy slope just outside the wooden hand-rail.
incline
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And, as he descended the incline again, he became aware of other couples standing about in the shadows, within alcoves of the cliff, or seated on the grassy slope just outside the wooden hand-rail.
intrusion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He waited a moment, half-startled, half-annoyed at their intrusion, then groped his way after them, eventually stumbling out of the tunnel's mouth.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A flash of light seemed to fly down the long gallery, driving the darkness before it, and then a young man and a girl passed by, the former holding a lighted match.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He turned to go back and descend to the shore below, but just then he heard a strange whispering that reechoed through the passages.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A flash of light seemed to fly down the long gallery, driving the darkness before it, and then a young man and a girl passed by, the former holding a lighted match.
lighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A flash of light seemed to fly down the long gallery, driving the darkness before it, and then a young man and a girl passed by, the former holding a lighted match.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A flash of light seemed to fly down the long gallery, driving the darkness before it, and then a young man and a girl passed by, the former holding a lighted match.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A flash of light seemed to fly down the long gallery, driving the darkness before it, and then a young man and a girl passed by, the former holding a lighted match.
match
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A flash of light seemed to fly down the long gallery, driving the darkness before it, and then a young man and a girl passed by, the former holding a lighted match.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He waited a moment, half-startled, half-annoyed at their intrusion, then groped his way after them, eventually stumbling out of the tunnel's mouth.
mouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He waited a moment, half-startled, half-annoyed at their intrusion, then groped his way after them, eventually stumbling out of the tunnel's mouth.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A flash of light seemed to fly down the long gallery, driving the darkness before it, and then a young man and a girl passed by, the former holding a lighted match.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading And, as he descended the incline again, he became aware of other couples standing about in the shadows, within alcoves of the cliff, or seated on the grassy slope just outside the wooden hand-rail.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading And, as he descended the incline again, he became aware of other couples standing about in the shadows, within alcoves of the cliff, or seated on the grassy slope just outside the wooden hand-rail.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And, as he descended the incline again, he became aware of other couples standing about in the shadows, within alcoves of the cliff, or seated on the grassy slope just outside the wooden hand-rail.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He waited a moment, half-startled, half-annoyed at their intrusion, then groped his way after them, eventually stumbling out of the tunnel's mouth.
outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading And, as he descended the incline again, he became aware of other couples standing about in the shadows, within alcoves of the cliff, or seated on the grassy slope just outside the wooden hand-rail.
overlooked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his first abstraction he had overlooked these.
passages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He turned to go back and descend to the shore below, but just then he heard a strange whispering that reechoed through the passages.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A flash of light seemed to fly down the long gallery, driving the darkness before it, and then a young man and a girl passed by, the former holding a lighted match.
reechoed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He turned to go back and descend to the shore below, but just then he heard a strange whispering that reechoed through the passages.
seated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And, as he descended the incline again, he became aware of other couples standing about in the shadows, within alcoves of the cliff, or seated on the grassy slope just outside the wooden hand-rail.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A flash of light seemed to fly down the long gallery, driving the darkness before it, and then a young man and a girl passed by, the former holding a lighted match.
shadows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And, as he descended the incline again, he became aware of other couples standing about in the shadows, within alcoves of the cliff, or seated on the grassy slope just outside the wooden hand-rail.
shore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He turned to go back and descend to the shore below, but just then he heard a strange whispering that reechoed through the passages.
slope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And, as he descended the incline again, he became aware of other couples standing about in the shadows, within alcoves of the cliff, or seated on the grassy slope just outside the wooden hand-rail.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading And, as he descended the incline again, he became aware of other couples standing about in the shadows, within alcoves of the cliff, or seated on the grassy slope just outside the wooden hand-rail.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He turned to go back and descend to the shore below, but just then he heard a strange whispering that reechoed through the passages.
stumbling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He waited a moment, half-startled, half-annoyed at their intrusion, then groped his way after them, eventually stumbling out of the tunnel's mouth.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He turned to go back and descend to the shore below, but just then he heard a strange whispering that reechoed through the passages.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He turned to go back and descend to the shore below, but just then he heard a strange whispering that reechoed through the passages.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He waited a moment, half-startled, half-annoyed at their intrusion, then groped his way after them, eventually stumbling out of the tunnel's mouth.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He waited a moment, half-startled, half-annoyed at their intrusion, then groped his way after them, eventually stumbling out of the tunnel's mouth.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He turned to go back and descend to the shore below, but just then he heard a strange whispering that reechoed through the passages.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading In his first abstraction he had overlooked these.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He turned to go back and descend to the shore below, but just then he heard a strange whispering that reechoed through the passages.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He turned to go back and descend to the shore below, but just then he heard a strange whispering that reechoed through the passages.
tunnel's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He waited a moment, half-startled, half-annoyed at their intrusion, then groped his way after them, eventually stumbling out of the tunnel's mouth.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He turned to go back and descend to the shore below, but just then he heard a strange whispering that reechoed through the passages.
waited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He waited a moment, half-startled, half-annoyed at their intrusion, then groped his way after them, eventually stumbling out of the tunnel's mouth.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He waited a moment, half-startled, half-annoyed at their intrusion, then groped his way after them, eventually stumbling out of the tunnel's mouth.
whispering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He turned to go back and descend to the shore below, but just then he heard a strange whispering that reechoed through the passages.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading And, as he descended the incline again, he became aware of other couples standing about in the shadows, within alcoves of the cliff, or seated on the grassy slope just outside the wooden hand-rail.
wooden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And, as he descended the incline again, he became aware of other couples standing about in the shadows, within alcoves of the cliff, or seated on the grassy slope just outside the wooden hand-rail.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A flash of light seemed to fly down the long gallery, driving the darkness before it, and then a young man and a girl passed by, the former holding a lighted match.