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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 Percy and a stout negro were the last couple in the file.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Just as they were about passing in, the African, who had received the punishment of the douche the day previous, for dilatoriness at his task, sprang upon the officer in waiting, and seized him by the throat.
African
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just as they were about passing in, the African, who had received the punishment of the douche the day previous, for dilatoriness at his task, sprang upon the officer in waiting, and seized him by the throat.
African's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Percy, whose pugilistic science was a match for the African’s muscle, grappled with and secured him in an instant, receiving, as he did so, a severe bite from the fellow’s teeth, in his left shoulder.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Percy, whose pugilistic science was a match for the African’s muscle, grappled with and secured him in an instant, receiving, as he did so, a severe bite from the fellow’s teeth, in his left shoulder.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They passed out from their cells and crossed, two by two, the prison-yard to their workshops.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Just as they were about passing in, the African, who had received the punishment of the douche the day previous, for dilatoriness at his task, sprang upon the officer in waiting, and seized him by the throat.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The bell sounded at Bluff Hill Prison, to call the prisoners to their tasks.
bell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bell sounded at Bluff Hill Prison, to call the prisoners to their tasks.
bite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Percy, whose pugilistic science was a match for the African’s muscle, grappled with and secured him in an instant, receiving, as he did so, a severe bite from the fellow’s teeth, in his left shoulder.
BluffadjectiveUS /blʌf/
direct and plain-spoken in manner, sometimes seeming rough
From this reading The bell sounded at Bluff Hill Prison, to call the prisoners to their tasks.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They passed out from their cells and crossed, two by two, the prison-yard to their workshops.
call
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bell sounded at Bluff Hill Prison, to call the prisoners to their tasks.
cells
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They passed out from their cells and crossed, two by two, the prison-yard to their workshops.
couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/
two people or things considered together
From this reading Percy and a stout negro were the last couple in the file.
crossed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They passed out from their cells and crossed, two by two, the prison-yard to their workshops.
day
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From this reading Just as they were about passing in, the African, who had received the punishment of the douche the day previous, for dilatoriness at his task, sprang upon the officer in waiting, and seized him by the throat.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Percy, whose pugilistic science was a match for the African’s muscle, grappled with and secured him in an instant, receiving, as he did so, a severe bite from the fellow’s teeth, in his left shoulder.
dilatoriness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just as they were about passing in, the African, who had received the punishment of the douche the day previous, for dilatoriness at his task, sprang upon the officer in waiting, and seized him by the throat.
douche
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just as they were about passing in, the African, who had received the punishment of the douche the day previous, for dilatoriness at his task, sprang upon the officer in waiting, and seized him by the throat.
fellow's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Percy, whose pugilistic science was a match for the African’s muscle, grappled with and secured him in an instant, receiving, as he did so, a severe bite from the fellow’s teeth, in his left shoulder.
file
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Percy and a stout negro were the last couple in the file.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Just as they were about passing in, the African, who had received the punishment of the douche the day previous, for dilatoriness at his task, sprang upon the officer in waiting, and seized him by the throat.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They passed out from their cells and crossed, two by two, the prison-yard to their workshops.
grappled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Percy, whose pugilistic science was a match for the African’s muscle, grappled with and secured him in an instant, receiving, as he did so, a severe bite from the fellow’s teeth, in his left shoulder.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Just as they were about passing in, the African, who had received the punishment of the douche the day previous, for dilatoriness at his task, sprang upon the officer in waiting, and seized him by the throat.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Percy, whose pugilistic science was a match for the African’s muscle, grappled with and secured him in an instant, receiving, as he did so, a severe bite from the fellow’s teeth, in his left shoulder.
Hill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bell sounded at Bluff Hill Prison, to call the prisoners to their tasks.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Just as they were about passing in, the African, who had received the punishment of the douche the day previous, for dilatoriness at his task, sprang upon the officer in waiting, and seized him by the throat.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Just as they were about passing in, the African, who had received the punishment of the douche the day previous, for dilatoriness at his task, sprang upon the officer in waiting, and seized him by the throat.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Percy and a stout negro were the last couple in the file.
instant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Percy, whose pugilistic science was a match for the African’s muscle, grappled with and secured him in an instant, receiving, as he did so, a severe bite from the fellow’s teeth, in his left shoulder.
Just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just as they were about passing in, the African, who had received the punishment of the douche the day previous, for dilatoriness at his task, sprang upon the officer in waiting, and seized him by the throat.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Percy and a stout negro were the last couple in the file.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Percy, whose pugilistic science was a match for the African’s muscle, grappled with and secured him in an instant, receiving, as he did so, a severe bite from the fellow’s teeth, in his left shoulder.
match
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Percy, whose pugilistic science was a match for the African’s muscle, grappled with and secured him in an instant, receiving, as he did so, a severe bite from the fellow’s teeth, in his left shoulder.
muscle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Percy, whose pugilistic science was a match for the African’s muscle, grappled with and secured him in an instant, receiving, as he did so, a severe bite from the fellow’s teeth, in his left shoulder.
negro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Percy and a stout negro were the last couple in the file.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Just as they were about passing in, the African, who had received the punishment of the douche the day previous, for dilatoriness at his task, sprang upon the officer in waiting, and seized him by the throat.
officer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just as they were about passing in, the African, who had received the punishment of the douche the day previous, for dilatoriness at his task, sprang upon the officer in waiting, and seized him by the throat.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They passed out from their cells and crossed, two by two, the prison-yard to their workshops.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They passed out from their cells and crossed, two by two, the prison-yard to their workshops.
passing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just as they were about passing in, the African, who had received the punishment of the douche the day previous, for dilatoriness at his task, sprang upon the officer in waiting, and seized him by the throat.
Percy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Percy and a stout negro were the last couple in the file.
previous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just as they were about passing in, the African, who had received the punishment of the douche the day previous, for dilatoriness at his task, sprang upon the officer in waiting, and seized him by the throat.
Prison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bell sounded at Bluff Hill Prison, to call the prisoners to their tasks.
prison-yard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They passed out from their cells and crossed, two by two, the prison-yard to their workshops.
prisoners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bell sounded at Bluff Hill Prison, to call the prisoners to their tasks.
pugilistic
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From this reading Percy, whose pugilistic science was a match for the African’s muscle, grappled with and secured him in an instant, receiving, as he did so, a severe bite from the fellow’s teeth, in his left shoulder.
punishment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just as they were about passing in, the African, who had received the punishment of the douche the day previous, for dilatoriness at his task, sprang upon the officer in waiting, and seized him by the throat.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just as they were about passing in, the African, who had received the punishment of the douche the day previous, for dilatoriness at his task, sprang upon the officer in waiting, and seized him by the throat.
receiving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Percy, whose pugilistic science was a match for the African’s muscle, grappled with and secured him in an instant, receiving, as he did so, a severe bite from the fellow’s teeth, in his left shoulder.
science
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Percy, whose pugilistic science was a match for the African’s muscle, grappled with and secured him in an instant, receiving, as he did so, a severe bite from the fellow’s teeth, in his left shoulder.
secured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Percy, whose pugilistic science was a match for the African’s muscle, grappled with and secured him in an instant, receiving, as he did so, a severe bite from the fellow’s teeth, in his left shoulder.
seized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just as they were about passing in, the African, who had received the punishment of the douche the day previous, for dilatoriness at his task, sprang upon the officer in waiting, and seized him by the throat.
severe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Percy, whose pugilistic science was a match for the African’s muscle, grappled with and secured him in an instant, receiving, as he did so, a severe bite from the fellow’s teeth, in his left shoulder.
shoulder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Percy, whose pugilistic science was a match for the African’s muscle, grappled with and secured him in an instant, receiving, as he did so, a severe bite from the fellow’s teeth, in his left shoulder.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Percy, whose pugilistic science was a match for the African’s muscle, grappled with and secured him in an instant, receiving, as he did so, a severe bite from the fellow’s teeth, in his left shoulder.
sounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bell sounded at Bluff Hill Prison, to call the prisoners to their tasks.
sprang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just as they were about passing in, the African, who had received the punishment of the douche the day previous, for dilatoriness at his task, sprang upon the officer in waiting, and seized him by the throat.
stout
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Percy and a stout negro were the last couple in the file.
task
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just as they were about passing in, the African, who had received the punishment of the douche the day previous, for dilatoriness at his task, sprang upon the officer in waiting, and seized him by the throat.
tasks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bell sounded at Bluff Hill Prison, to call the prisoners to their tasks.
teeth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Percy, whose pugilistic science was a match for the African’s muscle, grappled with and secured him in an instant, receiving, as he did so, a severe bite from the fellow’s teeth, in his left shoulder.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The bell sounded at Bluff Hill Prison, to call the prisoners to their tasks.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The bell sounded at Bluff Hill Prison, to call the prisoners to their tasks.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They passed out from their cells and crossed, two by two, the prison-yard to their workshops.
throatnounUS /θroʊt/
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading Just as they were about passing in, the African, who had received the punishment of the douche the day previous, for dilatoriness at his task, sprang upon the officer in waiting, and seized him by the throat.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The bell sounded at Bluff Hill Prison, to call the prisoners to their tasks.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They passed out from their cells and crossed, two by two, the prison-yard to their workshops.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Just as they were about passing in, the African, who had received the punishment of the douche the day previous, for dilatoriness at his task, sprang upon the officer in waiting, and seized him by the throat.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just as they were about passing in, the African, who had received the punishment of the douche the day previous, for dilatoriness at his task, sprang upon the officer in waiting, and seized him by the throat.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Percy, whose pugilistic science was a match for the African’s muscle, grappled with and secured him in an instant, receiving, as he did so, a severe bite from the fellow’s teeth, in his left shoulder.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Percy and a stout negro were the last couple in the file.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Just as they were about passing in, the African, who had received the punishment of the douche the day previous, for dilatoriness at his task, sprang upon the officer in waiting, and seized him by the throat.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading Percy, whose pugilistic science was a match for the African’s muscle, grappled with and secured him in an instant, receiving, as he did so, a severe bite from the fellow’s teeth, in his left shoulder.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Percy, whose pugilistic science was a match for the African’s muscle, grappled with and secured him in an instant, receiving, as he did so, a severe bite from the fellow’s teeth, in his left shoulder.
workshops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They passed out from their cells and crossed, two by two, the prison-yard to their workshops.
