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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 WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
alarmed
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From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
almost
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From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading By instinct more than reason he dived and went down as far as possible.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
bare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had had several experiences with wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty.
beast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold and began to swim for the shore.
bloodthirsty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had had several experiences with wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
ByprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By instinct more than reason he dived and went down as far as possible.
came
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From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold and began to swim for the shore.
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
causing pain or showing no kindness
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
Dave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
deeply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
directlynounUS /ˈdirectly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
dived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By instinct more than reason he dived and went down as far as possible.
diving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
ereconjunctionUS /er/
an old word for “before”
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
experiences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had had several experiences with wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By instinct more than reason he dived and went down as far as possible.
flesh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
frightened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold and began to swim for the shore.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had had several experiences with wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had had several experiences with wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
Henry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold and began to swim for the shore.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
instinct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By instinct more than reason he dived and went down as far as possible.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold and began to swim for the shore.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold and began to swim for the shore.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had had several experiences with wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty.
leap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold and began to swim for the shore.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
nails
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
naked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold and began to swim for the shore.
path
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By instinct more than reason he dived and went down as far as possible.
powerful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had had several experiences with wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By instinct more than reason he dived and went down as far as possible.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had had several experiences with wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty.
shore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold and began to swim for the shore.
shoulder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
sinking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
soldier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold and began to swim for the shore.
startled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
swim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold and began to swim for the shore.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading By instinct more than reason he dived and went down as far as possible.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He had had several experiences with wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had had several experiences with wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty.
top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
WATER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading By instinct more than reason he dived and went down as far as possible.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
WILDCAT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
wildcat's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold and began to swim for the shore.
wildcats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had had several experiences with wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had had several experiences with wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
