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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 ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
Aeria
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From this reading Alan Arnold was the responsible President of Aeria first and a father afterwards.
afterwards
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From this reading Alan Arnold was the responsible President of Aeria first and a father afterwards.
Alan
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From this reading Alan Arnold was the responsible President of Aeria first and a father afterwards.
almost
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From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
Arnold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alan Arnold was the responsible President of Aeria first and a father afterwards.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
ASTOUNDING
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From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
attention
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From this reading The safety not only of Aeria, but of the world, demanded his first attention, and he gave it.
blue
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From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
bolt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The safety not only of Aeria, but of the world, demanded his first attention, and he gave it.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
challenge
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From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
contained
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From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
conveyed
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From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
Crushing
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From this reading Crushing the missive in his hand he took two swift strides to a telephone in the wall of the room in which he had received the message from the skies and delivered several rapid orders through it.
delivered
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From this reading Crushing the missive in his hand he took two swift strides to a telephone in the wall of the room in which he had received the message from the skies and delivered several rapid orders through it.
demanded
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From this reading The safety not only of Aeria, but of the world, demanded his first attention, and he gave it.
dropped
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From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
fate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lost not a moment in speculating upon the strange fate of his son and first-born.
father
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From this reading Alan Arnold was the responsible President of Aeria first and a father afterwards.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Alan Arnold was the responsible President of Aeria first and a father afterwards.
first-born
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From this reading He lost not a moment in speculating upon the strange fate of his son and first-born.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The safety not only of Aeria, but of the world, demanded his first attention, and he gave it.
greater
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From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Crushing the missive in his hand he took two swift strides to a telephone in the wall of the room in which he had received the message from the skies and delivered several rapid orders through it.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He lost not a moment in speculating upon the strange fate of his son and first-born.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He lost not a moment in speculating upon the strange fate of his son and first-born.
importance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
infinitely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
instant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lost not a moment in speculating upon the strange fate of his son and first-born.
matters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
message
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Crushing the missive in his hand he took two swift strides to a telephone in the wall of the room in which he had received the message from the skies and delivered several rapid orders through it.
missive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Crushing the missive in his hand he took two swift strides to a telephone in the wall of the room in which he had received the message from the skies and delivered several rapid orders through it.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lost not a moment in speculating upon the strange fate of his son and first-born.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He lost not a moment in speculating upon the strange fate of his son and first-born.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
ominous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The safety not only of Aeria, but of the world, demanded his first attention, and he gave it.
orders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Crushing the missive in his hand he took two swift strides to a telephone in the wall of the room in which he had received the message from the skies and delivered several rapid orders through it.
President
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alan Arnold was the responsible President of Aeria first and a father afterwards.
rapid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Crushing the missive in his hand he took two swift strides to a telephone in the wall of the room in which he had received the message from the skies and delivered several rapid orders through it.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Crushing the missive in his hand he took two swift strides to a telephone in the wall of the room in which he had received the message from the skies and delivered several rapid orders through it.
responsibleadjectiveUS /rɪˈspɑnsəbəl/
having a duty to protect or manage something
From this reading Alan Arnold was the responsible President of Aeria first and a father afterwards.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Crushing the missive in his hand he took two swift strides to a telephone in the wall of the room in which he had received the message from the skies and delivered several rapid orders through it.
safety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The safety not only of Aeria, but of the world, demanded his first attention, and he gave it.
sentence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Crushing the missive in his hand he took two swift strides to a telephone in the wall of the room in which he had received the message from the skies and delivered several rapid orders through it.
signed
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From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
skies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Crushing the missive in his hand he took two swift strides to a telephone in the wall of the room in which he had received the message from the skies and delivered several rapid orders through it.
son
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lost not a moment in speculating upon the strange fate of his son and first-born.
speculating
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From this reading He lost not a moment in speculating upon the strange fate of his son and first-born.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lost not a moment in speculating upon the strange fate of his son and first-born.
strides
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Crushing the missive in his hand he took two swift strides to a telephone in the wall of the room in which he had received the message from the skies and delivered several rapid orders through it.
stupefying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
swift
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Crushing the missive in his hand he took two swift strides to a telephone in the wall of the room in which he had received the message from the skies and delivered several rapid orders through it.
telephone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Crushing the missive in his hand he took two swift strides to a telephone in the wall of the room in which he had received the message from the skies and delivered several rapid orders through it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Crushing the missive in his hand he took two swift strides to a telephone in the wall of the room in which he had received the message from the skies and delivered several rapid orders through it.
tidings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Crushing the missive in his hand he took two swift strides to a telephone in the wall of the room in which he had received the message from the skies and delivered several rapid orders through it.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Crushing the missive in his hand he took two swift strides to a telephone in the wall of the room in which he had received the message from the skies and delivered several rapid orders through it.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Crushing the missive in his hand he took two swift strides to a telephone in the wall of the room in which he had received the message from the skies and delivered several rapid orders through it.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He lost not a moment in speculating upon the strange fate of his son and first-born.
veritable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Crushing the missive in his hand he took two swift strides to a telephone in the wall of the room in which he had received the message from the skies and delivered several rapid orders through it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading ASTOUNDING, almost stupefying, as were the tidings conveyed by this letter, which had dropped like a veritable bolt from the blue, the challenge contained in the last sentence and the ominous name with which it was signed were matters of infinitely greater and more instant importance.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The safety not only of Aeria, but of the world, demanded his first attention, and he gave it.
