adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "How about the fire?" asked Jack, bracing himself more firmly against the wall under the weight of his companion.
adjoiningverbUS /əˈdʒɔɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “adjoin” — lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
From this reading In the hall adjoining their prison the steady tramp of the sentry's feet had suddenly ceased.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading "How about the fire?" asked Jack, bracing himself more firmly against the wall under the weight of his companion.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
askedverbUS /æskt/
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "How about the fire?" asked Jack, bracing himself more firmly against the wall under the weight of his companion.
awokeverbUS /əˈwoʊk/
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Boom! boom! boom! rang sullenly on the scene before Plum could reply, and then the rattle of musketry succeeded and the hoarse shouts of men giving orders such as no one could understand in the wild confusion.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
BoomverbUS /buːm/
make a resonant sound, like artillery
From this reading Boom! boom! boom! rang sullenly on the scene before Plum could reply, and then the rattle of musketry succeeded and the hoarse shouts of men giving orders such as no one could understand in the wild confusion.
BothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
bracingnounUS /ˈbreɪsɪŋ/
a structural member used to stiffen a framework
From this reading "How about the fire?" asked Jack, bracing himself more firmly against the wall under the weight of his companion.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
cannonnounUS /ˈkænən/
a large artillery gun that is usually on wheels
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
ceasedverbUS /siːst/
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading In the hall adjoining their prison the steady tramp of the sentry's feet had suddenly ceased.
Chilians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
companionnounUS /kəmˈpænjən/
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading "How about the fire?" asked Jack, bracing himself more firmly against the wall under the weight of his companion.
confusionnounUS /kənˈfjuːʒən/
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading Boom! boom! boom! rang sullenly on the scene before Plum could reply, and then the rattle of musketry succeeded and the hoarse shouts of men giving orders such as no one could understand in the wild confusion.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Boom! boom! boom! rang sullenly on the scene before Plum could reply, and then the rattle of musketry succeeded and the hoarse shouts of men giving orders such as no one could understand in the wild confusion.
criesnounUS /kraɪz/
plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading Loud cries were now heard outside the town house, making the youths' situation one of excitement.
declaredadjectiveUS /dɪˈklerd/
made known or openly avowed
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
dismaladjectiveUS /ˈdɪzməl/
causing dejection
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
enemynounUS /ˈenəmi/
an opposing military force
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
excitementnounUS /ɪkˈsaɪtmənt/
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading Loud cries were now heard outside the town house, making the youths' situation one of excitement.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
feetnounUS /fiːt/
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading In the hall adjoining their prison the steady tramp of the sentry's feet had suddenly ceased.
fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/
start firing a weapon
From this reading "How about the fire?" asked Jack, bracing himself more firmly against the wall under the weight of his companion.
firmlyadverbUS /ˈfɜːrmli/
with resolute determination
From this reading "How about the fire?" asked Jack, bracing himself more firmly against the wall under the weight of his companion.
givingnounUS /ˈɡɪvɪŋ/
the act of giving
From this reading Boom! boom! boom! rang sullenly on the scene before Plum could reply, and then the rattle of musketry succeeded and the hoarse shouts of men giving orders such as no one could understand in the wild confusion.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the hall adjoining their prison the steady tramp of the sentry's feet had suddenly ceased.
hallnounUS /hɔːl/
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading In the hall adjoining their prison the steady tramp of the sentry's feet had suddenly ceased.
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Loud cries were now heard outside the town house, making the youths' situation one of excitement.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading "How about the fire?" asked Jack, bracing himself more firmly against the wall under the weight of his companion.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "How about the fire?" asked Jack, bracing himself more firmly against the wall under the weight of his companion.
hoarseadjectiveUS /hɔːrs/
deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion
From this reading Boom! boom! boom! rang sullenly on the scene before Plum could reply, and then the rattle of musketry succeeded and the hoarse shouts of men giving orders such as no one could understand in the wild confusion.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Loud cries were now heard outside the town house, making the youths' situation one of excitement.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How about the fire?" asked Jack, bracing himself more firmly against the wall under the weight of his companion.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the hall adjoining their prison the steady tramp of the sentry's feet had suddenly ceased.
JacknounUS /dʒæk/
a small worthless amount
From this reading "How about the fire?" asked Jack, bracing himself more firmly against the wall under the weight of his companion.
LooksnounUS /lʊks/
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
LoudadjectiveUS /laʊd/
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading Loud cries were now heard outside the town house, making the youths' situation one of excitement.
makingnounUS /ˈmeɪkɪŋ/
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Loud cries were now heard outside the town house, making the youths' situation one of excitement.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading Boom! boom! boom! rang sullenly on the scene before Plum could reply, and then the rattle of musketry succeeded and the hoarse shouts of men giving orders such as no one could understand in the wild confusion.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "How about the fire?" asked Jack, bracing himself more firmly against the wall under the weight of his companion.
musketrynoun
musketeers and their muskets collectively
From this reading Boom! boom! boom! rang sullenly on the scene before Plum could reply, and then the rattle of musketry succeeded and the hoarse shouts of men giving orders such as no one could understand in the wild confusion.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Boom! boom! boom! rang sullenly on the scene before Plum could reply, and then the rattle of musketry succeeded and the hoarse shouts of men giving orders such as no one could understand in the wild confusion.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Loud cries were now heard outside the town house, making the youths' situation one of excitement.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Loud cries were now heard outside the town house, making the youths' situation one of excitement.
ordersnounUS /ˈɔːrdərz/
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Boom! boom! boom! rang sullenly on the scene before Plum could reply, and then the rattle of musketry succeeded and the hoarse shouts of men giving orders such as no one could understand in the wild confusion.
outsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Loud cries were now heard outside the town house, making the youths' situation one of excitement.
pausenounUS /pɔːz/
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
pealnounUS /piːl/
a deep prolonged sound (as of thunder or large bells)
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
PlumadverbUS /plʌm/
exactly
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
prisonnounUS /ˈprɪzən/
a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment
From this reading In the hall adjoining their prison the steady tramp of the sentry's feet had suddenly ceased.
raidedverbUS /ˈreɪdɪd/
past form of “raid” — search without warning, make a sudden surprise attack on
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
rangverbUS /ræŋ/
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading Boom! boom! boom! rang sullenly on the scene before Plum could reply, and then the rattle of musketry succeeded and the hoarse shouts of men giving orders such as no one could understand in the wild confusion.
rattleverbUS /ˈrætəl/
make short successive sounds
From this reading Boom! boom! boom! rang sullenly on the scene before Plum could reply, and then the rattle of musketry succeeded and the hoarse shouts of men giving orders such as no one could understand in the wild confusion.
replynounUS /rɪˈplaɪ/
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading Boom! boom! boom! rang sullenly on the scene before Plum could reply, and then the rattle of musketry succeeded and the hoarse shouts of men giving orders such as no one could understand in the wild confusion.
scenenounUS /siːn/
the place where some action occurs
From this reading Boom! boom! boom! rang sullenly on the scene before Plum could reply, and then the rattle of musketry succeeded and the hoarse shouts of men giving orders such as no one could understand in the wild confusion.
sentry's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the hall adjoining their prison the steady tramp of the sentry's feet had suddenly ceased.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
shoutsnounUS /ʃaʊts/
plural of “shout” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading Boom! boom! boom! rang sullenly on the scene before Plum could reply, and then the rattle of musketry succeeded and the hoarse shouts of men giving orders such as no one could understand in the wild confusion.
SidesnounUS /saɪdz/
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
situationnounUS /ˌsɪtʃuːˈeɪʃən/
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading Loud cries were now heard outside the town house, making the youths' situation one of excitement.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
steadyverbUS /ˈstedi/
make steady
From this reading In the hall adjoining their prison the steady tramp of the sentry's feet had suddenly ceased.
succeededverbUS /səkˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading Boom! boom! boom! rang sullenly on the scene before Plum could reply, and then the rattle of musketry succeeded and the hoarse shouts of men giving orders such as no one could understand in the wild confusion.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Boom! boom! boom! rang sullenly on the scene before Plum could reply, and then the rattle of musketry succeeded and the hoarse shouts of men giving orders such as no one could understand in the wild confusion.
suddenlyadverbUS /ˈsʌdənli/
happening unexpectedly
From this reading In the hall adjoining their prison the steady tramp of the sentry's feet had suddenly ceased.
sullenlyadverb
in a sullen manner
From this reading Boom! boom! boom! rang sullenly on the scene before Plum could reply, and then the rattle of musketry succeeded and the hoarse shouts of men giving orders such as no one could understand in the wild confusion.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In the hall adjoining their prison the steady tramp of the sentry's feet had suddenly ceased.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Boom! boom! boom! rang sullenly on the scene before Plum could reply, and then the rattle of musketry succeeded and the hoarse shouts of men giving orders such as no one could understand in the wild confusion.
townnounUS /taʊn/
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
trampnounUS /træmp/
a vagrant
From this reading In the hall adjoining their prison the steady tramp of the sentry's feet had suddenly ceased.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading "How about the fire?" asked Jack, bracing himself more firmly against the wall under the weight of his companion.
understandverbUS /ˌʌndərˈstænd/
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading Boom! boom! boom! rang sullenly on the scene before Plum could reply, and then the rattle of musketry succeeded and the hoarse shouts of men giving orders such as no one could understand in the wild confusion.
wallnounUS /wɔːl/
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading "How about the fire?" asked Jack, bracing himself more firmly against the wall under the weight of his companion.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
weightnounUS /weɪt/
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading "How about the fire?" asked Jack, bracing himself more firmly against the wall under the weight of his companion.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Loud cries were now heard outside the town house, making the youths' situation one of excitement.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
wideadjectiveUS /waɪd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Chilians on Both Sides "Looks as if the old town was being raided by some enemy," declared Plum, after a short pause, during which another peal of the distant cannon awoke far and wide the dismal night.
wildadjectiveUS /waɪld/
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading Boom! boom! boom! rang sullenly on the scene before Plum could reply, and then the rattle of musketry succeeded and the hoarse shouts of men giving orders such as no one could understand in the wild confusion.
youthsnounUS /juːðz/
plural of “youth” — a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading Loud cries were now heard outside the town house, making the youths' situation one of excitement.
