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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 The town had a festive air; here and there men, still with spears or guns in their hands, could be seen moving or standing on the shore in groups.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The town had a festive air; here and there men, still with spears or guns in their hands, could be seen moving or standing on the shore in groups.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The town had a festive air; here and there men, still with spears or guns in their hands, could be seen moving or standing on the shore in groups.
ashore
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From this reading Tamb’ Itam jumped ashore and ran in headlong.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Chinamen’s shops had been opened early; but the market-place was empty, and a sentry, still posted at the corner of the fort, made out Tamb’ Itam, and shouted to those within.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The town had a festive air; here and there men, still with spears or guns in their hands, could be seen moving or standing on the shore in groups.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Chinamen’s shops had been opened early; but the market-place was empty, and a sentry, still posted at the corner of the fort, made out Tamb’ Itam, and shouted to those within.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading ‘When Tamb’ Itam, paddling madly, came into the town-reach, the women, thronging the platforms before the houses, were looking out for the return of Dain Waris’s little fleet of boats.
boats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘When Tamb’ Itam, paddling madly, came into the town-reach, the women, thronging the platforms before the houses, were looking out for the return of Dain Waris’s little fleet of boats.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Chinamen’s shops had been opened early; but the market-place was empty, and a sentry, still posted at the corner of the fort, made out Tamb’ Itam, and shouted to those within.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘When Tamb’ Itam, paddling madly, came into the town-reach, the women, thronging the platforms before the houses, were looking out for the return of Dain Waris’s little fleet of boats.
Chinamen's
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From this reading Chinamen’s shops had been opened early; but the market-place was empty, and a sentry, still posted at the corner of the fort, made out Tamb’ Itam, and shouted to those within.
corner
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From this reading Chinamen’s shops had been opened early; but the market-place was empty, and a sentry, still posted at the corner of the fort, made out Tamb’ Itam, and shouted to those within.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The town had a festive air; here and there men, still with spears or guns in their hands, could be seen moving or standing on the shore in groups.
Dain
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From this reading ‘When Tamb’ Itam, paddling madly, came into the town-reach, the women, thronging the platforms before the houses, were looking out for the return of Dain Waris’s little fleet of boats.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chinamen’s shops had been opened early; but the market-place was empty, and a sentry, still posted at the corner of the fort, made out Tamb’ Itam, and shouted to those within.
empty
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From this reading Chinamen’s shops had been opened early; but the market-place was empty, and a sentry, still posted at the corner of the fort, made out Tamb’ Itam, and shouted to those within.
festive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The town had a festive air; here and there men, still with spears or guns in their hands, could be seen moving or standing on the shore in groups.
fleet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘When Tamb’ Itam, paddling madly, came into the town-reach, the women, thronging the platforms before the houses, were looking out for the return of Dain Waris’s little fleet of boats.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading ‘When Tamb’ Itam, paddling madly, came into the town-reach, the women, thronging the platforms before the houses, were looking out for the return of Dain Waris’s little fleet of boats.
fort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chinamen’s shops had been opened early; but the market-place was empty, and a sentry, still posted at the corner of the fort, made out Tamb’ Itam, and shouted to those within.
gate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gate was wide open.
groups
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The town had a festive air; here and there men, still with spears or guns in their hands, could be seen moving or standing on the shore in groups.
guns
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From this reading The town had a festive air; here and there men, still with spears or guns in their hands, could be seen moving or standing on the shore in groups.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The town had a festive air; here and there men, still with spears or guns in their hands, could be seen moving or standing on the shore in groups.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading The town had a festive air; here and there men, still with spears or guns in their hands, could be seen moving or standing on the shore in groups.
headlong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tamb’ Itam jumped ashore and ran in headlong.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The town had a festive air; here and there men, still with spears or guns in their hands, could be seen moving or standing on the shore in groups.
houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘When Tamb’ Itam, paddling madly, came into the town-reach, the women, thronging the platforms before the houses, were looking out for the return of Dain Waris’s little fleet of boats.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The town had a festive air; here and there men, still with spears or guns in their hands, could be seen moving or standing on the shore in groups.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading ‘When Tamb’ Itam, paddling madly, came into the town-reach, the women, thronging the platforms before the houses, were looking out for the return of Dain Waris’s little fleet of boats.
Itam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘When Tamb’ Itam, paddling madly, came into the town-reach, the women, thronging the platforms before the houses, were looking out for the return of Dain Waris’s little fleet of boats.
jumped
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From this reading Tamb’ Itam jumped ashore and ran in headlong.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘When Tamb’ Itam, paddling madly, came into the town-reach, the women, thronging the platforms before the houses, were looking out for the return of Dain Waris’s little fleet of boats.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘When Tamb’ Itam, paddling madly, came into the town-reach, the women, thronging the platforms before the houses, were looking out for the return of Dain Waris’s little fleet of boats.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chinamen’s shops had been opened early; but the market-place was empty, and a sentry, still posted at the corner of the fort, made out Tamb’ Itam, and shouted to those within.
madly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘When Tamb’ Itam, paddling madly, came into the town-reach, the women, thronging the platforms before the houses, were looking out for the return of Dain Waris’s little fleet of boats.
market-place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chinamen’s shops had been opened early; but the market-place was empty, and a sentry, still posted at the corner of the fort, made out Tamb’ Itam, and shouted to those within.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The town had a festive air; here and there men, still with spears or guns in their hands, could be seen moving or standing on the shore in groups.
moving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The town had a festive air; here and there men, still with spears or guns in their hands, could be seen moving or standing on the shore in groups.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ‘When Tamb’ Itam, paddling madly, came into the town-reach, the women, thronging the platforms before the houses, were looking out for the return of Dain Waris’s little fleet of boats.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The town had a festive air; here and there men, still with spears or guns in their hands, could be seen moving or standing on the shore in groups.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The gate was wide open.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chinamen’s shops had been opened early; but the market-place was empty, and a sentry, still posted at the corner of the fort, made out Tamb’ Itam, and shouted to those within.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The town had a festive air; here and there men, still with spears or guns in their hands, could be seen moving or standing on the shore in groups.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘When Tamb’ Itam, paddling madly, came into the town-reach, the women, thronging the platforms before the houses, were looking out for the return of Dain Waris’s little fleet of boats.
paddling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘When Tamb’ Itam, paddling madly, came into the town-reach, the women, thronging the platforms before the houses, were looking out for the return of Dain Waris’s little fleet of boats.
platforms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘When Tamb’ Itam, paddling madly, came into the town-reach, the women, thronging the platforms before the houses, were looking out for the return of Dain Waris’s little fleet of boats.
posted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chinamen’s shops had been opened early; but the market-place was empty, and a sentry, still posted at the corner of the fort, made out Tamb’ Itam, and shouted to those within.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tamb’ Itam jumped ashore and ran in headlong.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘When Tamb’ Itam, paddling madly, came into the town-reach, the women, thronging the platforms before the houses, were looking out for the return of Dain Waris’s little fleet of boats.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The town had a festive air; here and there men, still with spears or guns in their hands, could be seen moving or standing on the shore in groups.
sentry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chinamen’s shops had been opened early; but the market-place was empty, and a sentry, still posted at the corner of the fort, made out Tamb’ Itam, and shouted to those within.
shops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chinamen’s shops had been opened early; but the market-place was empty, and a sentry, still posted at the corner of the fort, made out Tamb’ Itam, and shouted to those within.
shore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The town had a festive air; here and there men, still with spears or guns in their hands, could be seen moving or standing on the shore in groups.
shoutednounUS /shouted/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Chinamen’s shops had been opened early; but the market-place was empty, and a sentry, still posted at the corner of the fort, made out Tamb’ Itam, and shouted to those within.
spears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The town had a festive air; here and there men, still with spears or guns in their hands, could be seen moving or standing on the shore in groups.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The town had a festive air; here and there men, still with spears or guns in their hands, could be seen moving or standing on the shore in groups.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The town had a festive air; here and there men, still with spears or guns in their hands, could be seen moving or standing on the shore in groups.
Tamb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘When Tamb’ Itam, paddling madly, came into the town-reach, the women, thronging the platforms before the houses, were looking out for the return of Dain Waris’s little fleet of boats.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ‘When Tamb’ Itam, paddling madly, came into the town-reach, the women, thronging the platforms before the houses, were looking out for the return of Dain Waris’s little fleet of boats.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The town had a festive air; here and there men, still with spears or guns in their hands, could be seen moving or standing on the shore in groups.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The town had a festive air; here and there men, still with spears or guns in their hands, could be seen moving or standing on the shore in groups.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Chinamen’s shops had been opened early; but the market-place was empty, and a sentry, still posted at the corner of the fort, made out Tamb’ Itam, and shouted to those within.
thronging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘When Tamb’ Itam, paddling madly, came into the town-reach, the women, thronging the platforms before the houses, were looking out for the return of Dain Waris’s little fleet of boats.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Chinamen’s shops had been opened early; but the market-place was empty, and a sentry, still posted at the corner of the fort, made out Tamb’ Itam, and shouted to those within.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The town had a festive air; here and there men, still with spears or guns in their hands, could be seen moving or standing on the shore in groups.
town-reach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘When Tamb’ Itam, paddling madly, came into the town-reach, the women, thronging the platforms before the houses, were looking out for the return of Dain Waris’s little fleet of boats.
Waris's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘When Tamb’ Itam, paddling madly, came into the town-reach, the women, thronging the platforms before the houses, were looking out for the return of Dain Waris’s little fleet of boats.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Chinamen’s shops had been opened early; but the market-place was empty, and a sentry, still posted at the corner of the fort, made out Tamb’ Itam, and shouted to those within.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading ‘When Tamb’ Itam, paddling madly, came into the town-reach, the women, thronging the platforms before the houses, were looking out for the return of Dain Waris’s little fleet of boats.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading ‘When Tamb’ Itam, paddling madly, came into the town-reach, the women, thronging the platforms before the houses, were looking out for the return of Dain Waris’s little fleet of boats.
wide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gate was wide open.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The town had a festive air; here and there men, still with spears or guns in their hands, could be seen moving or standing on the shore in groups.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Chinamen’s shops had been opened early; but the market-place was empty, and a sentry, still posted at the corner of the fort, made out Tamb’ Itam, and shouted to those within.
women
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘When Tamb’ Itam, paddling madly, came into the town-reach, the women, thronging the platforms before the houses, were looking out for the return of Dain Waris’s little fleet of boats.
