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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 A FRIEND RATHER THAN AN ENEMY There was only one way in which I could hope to get in--through the back.
action
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
ANdeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A FRIEND RATHER THAN AN ENEMY There was only one way in which I could hope to get in--through the back.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That was an exceedingly ticklish job, yet I had tackled many a ticklish job before during the two years of my scouting service, and the knowledge of danger was merely the prick of a spur.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was at the right of the seat, leaning forward, so as to peer out from under the hood, loosened reins in one hand, a whip in the other.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was at the right of the seat, leaning forward, so as to peer out from under the hood, loosened reins in one hand, a whip in the other.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FRIEND RATHER THAN AN ENEMY There was only one way in which I could hope to get in--through the back.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading That was an exceedingly ticklish job, yet I had tackled many a ticklish job before during the two years of my scouting service, and the knowledge of danger was merely the prick of a spur.
buckles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
closely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A FRIEND RATHER THAN AN ENEMY There was only one way in which I could hope to get in--through the back.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
danger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was an exceedingly ticklish job, yet I had tackled many a ticklish job before during the two years of my scouting service, and the knowledge of danger was merely the prick of a spur.
dim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through a narrow opening I could perceive a dim outline of the driver.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
driver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through a narrow opening I could perceive a dim outline of the driver.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading That was an exceedingly ticklish job, yet I had tackled many a ticklish job before during the two years of my scouting service, and the knowledge of danger was merely the prick of a spur.
ENEMY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FRIEND RATHER THAN AN ENEMY There was only one way in which I could hope to get in--through the back.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
entire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
exceedingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was an exceedingly ticklish job, yet I had tackled many a ticklish job before during the two years of my scouting service, and the knowledge of danger was merely the prick of a spur.
fingers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
flap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was at the right of the seat, leaning forward, so as to peer out from under the hood, loosened reins in one hand, a whip in the other.
FRIEND
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FRIEND RATHER THAN AN ENEMY There was only one way in which I could hope to get in--through the back.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He was at the right of the seat, leaning forward, so as to peer out from under the hood, loosened reins in one hand, a whip in the other.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FRIEND RATHER THAN AN ENEMY There was only one way in which I could hope to get in--through the back.
grip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That was an exceedingly ticklish job, yet I had tackled many a ticklish job before during the two years of my scouting service, and the knowledge of danger was merely the prick of a spur.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at the right of the seat, leaning forward, so as to peer out from under the hood, loosened reins in one hand, a whip in the other.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was at the right of the seat, leaning forward, so as to peer out from under the hood, loosened reins in one hand, a whip in the other.
holding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
hood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at the right of the seat, leaning forward, so as to peer out from under the hood, loosened reins in one hand, a whip in the other.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FRIEND RATHER THAN AN ENEMY There was only one way in which I could hope to get in--through the back.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A FRIEND RATHER THAN AN ENEMY There was only one way in which I could hope to get in--through the back.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A FRIEND RATHER THAN AN ENEMY There was only one way in which I could hope to get in--through the back.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
job
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was an exceedingly ticklish job, yet I had tackled many a ticklish job before during the two years of my scouting service, and the knowledge of danger was merely the prick of a spur.
knife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
knowledge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was an exceedingly ticklish job, yet I had tackled many a ticklish job before during the two years of my scouting service, and the knowledge of danger was merely the prick of a spur.
leaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at the right of the seat, leaning forward, so as to peer out from under the hood, loosened reins in one hand, a whip in the other.
leather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
loosened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at the right of the seat, leaning forward, so as to peer out from under the hood, loosened reins in one hand, a whip in the other.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was an exceedingly ticklish job, yet I had tackled many a ticklish job before during the two years of my scouting service, and the knowledge of danger was merely the prick of a spur.
merely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was an exceedingly ticklish job, yet I had tackled many a ticklish job before during the two years of my scouting service, and the knowledge of danger was merely the prick of a spur.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading That was an exceedingly ticklish job, yet I had tackled many a ticklish job before during the two years of my scouting service, and the knowledge of danger was merely the prick of a spur.
narrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through a narrow opening I could perceive a dim outline of the driver.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading That was an exceedingly ticklish job, yet I had tackled many a ticklish job before during the two years of my scouting service, and the knowledge of danger was merely the prick of a spur.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A FRIEND RATHER THAN AN ENEMY There was only one way in which I could hope to get in--through the back.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FRIEND RATHER THAN AN ENEMY There was only one way in which I could hope to get in--through the back.
opening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at the right of the seat, leaning forward, so as to peer out from under the hood, loosened reins in one hand, a whip in the other.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at the right of the seat, leaning forward, so as to peer out from under the hood, loosened reins in one hand, a whip in the other.
outline
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through a narrow opening I could perceive a dim outline of the driver.
peer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at the right of the seat, leaning forward, so as to peer out from under the hood, loosened reins in one hand, a whip in the other.
perceive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through a narrow opening I could perceive a dim outline of the driver.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
prick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was an exceedingly ticklish job, yet I had tackled many a ticklish job before during the two years of my scouting service, and the knowledge of danger was merely the prick of a spur.
RATHER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FRIEND RATHER THAN AN ENEMY There was only one way in which I could hope to get in--through the back.
ready
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
reins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at the right of the seat, leaning forward, so as to peer out from under the hood, loosened reins in one hand, a whip in the other.
resisted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was at the right of the seat, leaning forward, so as to peer out from under the hood, loosened reins in one hand, a whip in the other.
rusty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
scouting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was an exceedingly ticklish job, yet I had tackled many a ticklish job before during the two years of my scouting service, and the knowledge of danger was merely the prick of a spur.
seat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at the right of the seat, leaning forward, so as to peer out from under the hood, loosened reins in one hand, a whip in the other.
service
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was an exceedingly ticklish job, yet I had tackled many a ticklish job before during the two years of my scouting service, and the knowledge of danger was merely the prick of a spur.
severing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
spur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was an exceedingly ticklish job, yet I had tackled many a ticklish job before during the two years of my scouting service, and the knowledge of danger was merely the prick of a spur.
straps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
tackled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was an exceedingly ticklish job, yet I had tackled many a ticklish job before during the two years of my scouting service, and the knowledge of danger was merely the prick of a spur.
teeth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
THANconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A FRIEND RATHER THAN AN ENEMY There was only one way in which I could hope to get in--through the back.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That was an exceedingly ticklish job, yet I had tackled many a ticklish job before during the two years of my scouting service, and the knowledge of danger was merely the prick of a spur.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A FRIEND RATHER THAN AN ENEMY There was only one way in which I could hope to get in--through the back.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FRIEND RATHER THAN AN ENEMY There was only one way in which I could hope to get in--through the back.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A FRIEND RATHER THAN AN ENEMY There was only one way in which I could hope to get in--through the back.
thrown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
ticklishadjectiveUS /ˈtɪklɪʃ/
difficult and requiring careful handling
From this reading That was an exceedingly ticklish job, yet I had tackled many a ticklish job before during the two years of my scouting service, and the knowledge of danger was merely the prick of a spur.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A FRIEND RATHER THAN AN ENEMY There was only one way in which I could hope to get in--through the back.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was an exceedingly ticklish job, yet I had tackled many a ticklish job before during the two years of my scouting service, and the knowledge of danger was merely the prick of a spur.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading He was at the right of the seat, leaning forward, so as to peer out from under the hood, loosened reins in one hand, a whip in the other.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A FRIEND RATHER THAN AN ENEMY There was only one way in which I could hope to get in--through the back.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FRIEND RATHER THAN AN ENEMY There was only one way in which I could hope to get in--through the back.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A FRIEND RATHER THAN AN ENEMY There was only one way in which I could hope to get in--through the back.
whip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at the right of the seat, leaning forward, so as to peer out from under the hood, loosened reins in one hand, a whip in the other.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The rusty buckles holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to its place until I was ready for action.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was an exceedingly ticklish job, yet I had tackled many a ticklish job before during the two years of my scouting service, and the knowledge of danger was merely the prick of a spur.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading That was an exceedingly ticklish job, yet I had tackled many a ticklish job before during the two years of my scouting service, and the knowledge of danger was merely the prick of a spur.
