AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading QUICK LIGHTS A MATCH “Here we begin to turn, for this cave is a great circle,” said Maqueda over her shoulder.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
addressedadjectiveUS /əˈdrest/
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/
in addition
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
answeredverbUS /ˈænsərd/
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
askedverbUS /æskt/
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading She followed him and asked curiously what this thing might be, and why he made use of it here.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She followed him and asked curiously what this thing might be, and why he made use of it here.
beginverbUS /bɪˈɡɪn/
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading QUICK LIGHTS A MATCH “Here we begin to turn, for this cave is a great circle,” said Maqueda over her shoulder.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
callverbUS /kɔːl/
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
cavenounUS /keɪv/
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading QUICK LIGHTS A MATCH “Here we begin to turn, for this cave is a great circle,” said Maqueda over her shoulder.
chairnounUS /tʃer/
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
ChildnounUS /tʃaɪld/
a young person of either sex
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
circlenounUS /ˈsɜːrkəl/
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading QUICK LIGHTS A MATCH “Here we begin to turn, for this cave is a great circle,” said Maqueda over her shoulder.
compassnounUS /ˈkʌmpəs/
navigational instrument for finding directions
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Say now, if we could walk through this rock, what should we find out yonder?”
curiouslyadverbUS /ˈkjʊriəsli/
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading She followed him and asked curiously what this thing might be, and why he made use of it here.
eastnounUS /iːst/
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
engagedadjectiveUS /enˈɡeɪdʒd/
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
findverbUS /faɪnd/
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Say now, if we could walk through this rock, what should we find out yonder?”
followedverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊd/
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading She followed him and asked curiously what this thing might be, and why he made use of it here.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading QUICK LIGHTS A MATCH “Here we begin to turn, for this cave is a great circle,” said Maqueda over her shoulder.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
funeralnounUS /ˈfjuːnərəl/
a ceremony at which a dead person is buried or cremated
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading QUICK LIGHTS A MATCH “Here we begin to turn, for this cave is a great circle,” said Maqueda over her shoulder.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
heightnounUS /haɪt/
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading QUICK LIGHTS A MATCH “Here we begin to turn, for this cave is a great circle,” said Maqueda over her shoulder.
HereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading QUICK LIGHTS A MATCH “Here we begin to turn, for this cave is a great circle,” said Maqueda over her shoulder.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She followed him and asked curiously what this thing might be, and why he made use of it here.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
hunchback's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Say now, if we could walk through this rock, what should we find out yonder?”
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
instrumentnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənt/
a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading QUICK LIGHTS A MATCH “Here we begin to turn, for this cave is a great circle,” said Maqueda over her shoulder.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She followed him and asked curiously what this thing might be, and why he made use of it here.
KingsnounUS /kɪŋz/
plural of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
leftnounUS /left/
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
liesnounUS /laɪz/
plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
LIGHTSnounUS /laɪts/
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading QUICK LIGHTS A MATCH “Here we begin to turn, for this cave is a great circle,” said Maqueda over her shoulder.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading She followed him and asked curiously what this thing might be, and why he made use of it here.
Maqueda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading QUICK LIGHTS A MATCH “Here we begin to turn, for this cave is a great circle,” said Maqueda over her shoulder.
MATCHverbUS /mætʃ/
be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
From this reading QUICK LIGHTS A MATCH “Here we begin to turn, for this cave is a great circle,” said Maqueda over her shoulder.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading She followed him and asked curiously what this thing might be, and why he made use of it here.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Say now, if we could walk through this rock, what should we find out yonder?”
OnounUS /oʊ/
a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
observationsnounUS /ˌɑːbzərˈveɪʃənz/
plural of “observation” — the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She followed him and asked curiously what this thing might be, and why he made use of it here.
OlivernounUS /ˈɑːləvər/
United States jazz musician who influenced the style of Louis Armstrong (1885-1938)
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Say now, if we could walk through this rock, what should we find out yonder?”
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading QUICK LIGHTS A MATCH “Here we begin to turn, for this cave is a great circle,” said Maqueda over her shoulder.
pocketnounUS /ˈpɑːkət/
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
producedverbUS /prəˈduːst/
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
QUICKadjectiveUS /kwɪk/
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading QUICK LIGHTS A MATCH “Here we begin to turn, for this cave is a great circle,” said Maqueda over her shoulder.
risesnounUS /ˈraɪzəz/
plural of “rise” — a growth in strength or number or importance
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
rocknounUS /rɑːk/
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Say now, if we could walk through this rock, what should we find out yonder?”
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading QUICK LIGHTS A MATCH “Here we begin to turn, for this cave is a great circle,” said Maqueda over her shoulder.
SayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading Say now, if we could walk through this rock, what should we find out yonder?”
seanounUS /siː/
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Say now, if we could walk through this rock, what should we find out yonder?”
shoulderverbUS /ˈʃoʊldər/
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading QUICK LIGHTS A MATCH “Here we begin to turn, for this cave is a great circle,” said Maqueda over her shoulder.
showsnounUS /ʃoʊz/
plural of “show” — the act of publicly exhibiting or entertaining
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
sidenounUS /saɪd/
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
standverbUS /stænd/
be standing; be upright
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
sunnounUS /sʌn/
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
takingnounUS /ˈteɪkɪŋ/
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
tellsnounUS /telz/
plural of “tell” — a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
thingnounUS /θɪŋ/
a special situation
From this reading She followed him and asked curiously what this thing might be, and why he made use of it here.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading QUICK LIGHTS A MATCH “Here we begin to turn, for this cave is a great circle,” said Maqueda over her shoulder.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Say now, if we could walk through this rock, what should we find out yonder?”
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading QUICK LIGHTS A MATCH “Here we begin to turn, for this cave is a great circle,” said Maqueda over her shoulder.
turnverbUS /tɜːrn/
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading QUICK LIGHTS A MATCH “Here we begin to turn, for this cave is a great circle,” said Maqueda over her shoulder.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
usenounUS /juːs/
the act of using
From this reading She followed him and asked curiously what this thing might be, and why he made use of it here.
walknounUS /wɔːk/
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading Say now, if we could walk through this rock, what should we find out yonder?”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
waternounUS /ˈwɔːtər/
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading QUICK LIGHTS A MATCH “Here we begin to turn, for this cave is a great circle,” said Maqueda over her shoulder.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She followed him and asked curiously what this thing might be, and why he made use of it here.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
whynounUS /waɪ/
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading She followed him and asked curiously what this thing might be, and why he made use of it here.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading But Oliver, whom she addressed, had left her side and was engaged in taking observations behind the hunchback’s funeral chair with an instrument which he had produced from his pocket.
yonderadjectiveUS /ˈjɑːndər/
distant but within sight (“yon” is dialectal)
From this reading Say now, if we could walk through this rock, what should we find out yonder?”
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “We call it a compass,” he answered, “and it tells me that beyond us lies the east, where the sun rises; also it shows at what height we stand above the sea, that great water which you have never seen, O Child of Kings.
