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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 He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.
addednounUS /added/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
appear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
ATprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?
breathing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He held the revolver in his shaking hand, but he knew he was not going to shoot.
cave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
climber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
close
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From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?
Courtney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.
crashing
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From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?
crept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
ease
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?
farther
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.
foolnounUS /fool/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.
frowning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.
gleenounUS /ɡliː/
great delight or happiness
From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He held the revolver in his shaking hand, but he knew he was not going to shoot.
grew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He held the revolver in his shaking hand, but he knew he was not going to shoot.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He held the revolver in his shaking hand, but he knew he was not going to shoot.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He held the revolver in his shaking hand, but he knew he was not going to shoot.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He held the revolver in his shaking hand, but he knew he was not going to shoot.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He held the revolver in his shaking hand, but he knew he was not going to shoot.
laboured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
ledge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.
louder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
mouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
narrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.
nearer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He held the revolver in his shaking hand, but he knew he was not going to shoot.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
opening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.
presently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
QUILL'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
revolver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He held the revolver in his shaking hand, but he knew he was not going to shoot.
scraping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
send
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?
shakingnounUS /ˈshaking/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He held the revolver in his shaking hand, but he knew he was not going to shoot.
shoot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He held the revolver in his shaking hand, but he knew he was not going to shoot.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
stertorous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
thick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?
thrilled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
trapped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was trapped.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
watched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?
WINDOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?