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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 Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He cursed the extraordinary chance that, against every probability, had brought the chest of opium safely to him here.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Why hadn't he pitched the thing into the water at the foot of their yard!
balls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was time still: he would take the balls of opium and dispose of them secretly.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He cursed the extraordinary chance that, against every probability, had brought the chest of opium safely to him here.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
carried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
chance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He cursed the extraordinary chance that, against every probability, had brought the chest of opium safely to him here.
chest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He cursed the extraordinary chance that, against every probability, had brought the chest of opium safely to him here.
contest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
cursed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He cursed the extraordinary chance that, against every probability, had brought the chest of opium safely to him here.
despatched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
dispose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was time still: he would take the balls of opium and dispose of them secretly.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
energy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A sudden energy, a renewed sense of strength, flooded him.
evading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading He cursed the extraordinary chance that, against every probability, had brought the chest of opium safely to him here.
evil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
extraordinary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He cursed the extraordinary chance that, against every probability, had brought the chest of opium safely to him here.
fastened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
flickering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
flooded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A sudden energy, a renewed sense of strength, flooded him.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Why hadn't he pitched the thing into the water at the foot of their yard!
habit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He cursed the extraordinary chance that, against every probability, had brought the chest of opium safely to him here.
hadn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why hadn't he pitched the thing into the water at the foot of their yard!
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
Hardy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He cursed the extraordinary chance that, against every probability, had brought the chest of opium safely to him here.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He cursed the extraordinary chance that, against every probability, had brought the chest of opium safely to him here.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He cursed the extraordinary chance that, against every probability, had brought the chest of opium safely to him here.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
hoping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Why hadn't he pitched the thing into the water at the foot of their yard!
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
ItsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He cursed the extraordinary chance that, against every probability, had brought the chest of opium safely to him here.
oily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
opium
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He cursed the extraordinary chance that, against every probability, had brought the chest of opium safely to him here.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
pitchednounUS /pitched/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Why hadn't he pitched the thing into the water at the foot of their yard!
precarious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
premonition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
probability
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He cursed the extraordinary chance that, against every probability, had brought the chest of opium safely to him here.
purchase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
renewed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A sudden energy, a renewed sense of strength, flooded him.
result
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
route
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
safely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He cursed the extraordinary chance that, against every probability, had brought the chest of opium safely to him here.
secretly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was time still: he would take the balls of opium and dispose of them secretly.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
seesawing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
seized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A sudden energy, a renewed sense of strength, flooded him.
smoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
species
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
spirit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was time still: he would take the balls of opium and dispose of them secretly.
Street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A sudden energy, a renewed sense of strength, flooded him.
suddennounUS /sudden/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A sudden energy, a renewed sense of strength, flooded him.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was time still: he would take the balls of opium and dispose of them secretly.
terror
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He cursed the extraordinary chance that, against every probability, had brought the chest of opium safely to him here.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He cursed the extraordinary chance that, against every probability, had brought the chest of opium safely to him here.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Why hadn't he pitched the thing into the water at the foot of their yard!
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There was time still: he would take the balls of opium and dispose of them secretly.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was time still: he would take the balls of opium and dispose of them secretly.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Why hadn't he pitched the thing into the water at the foot of their yard!
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was time still: he would take the balls of opium and dispose of them secretly.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He cursed the extraordinary chance that, against every probability, had brought the chest of opium safely to him here.
turning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was time still: he would take the balls of opium and dispose of them secretly.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why hadn't he pitched the thing into the water at the foot of their yard!
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
Why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why hadn't he pitched the thing into the water at the foot of their yard!
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Its purchase had been the result of habit evading his will, he had despatched it--in that seesawing contest--by a precarious route, half hoping that it would be lost or seized; and, when he had seen the chest carried down Hardy Street to his door, a species of terror had fastened upon him, a premonition of an evil spirit flickering above him in a turning of oily smoke.
yard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why hadn't he pitched the thing into the water at the foot of their yard!
