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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 This arrest, coming just when it did, was a complete surprise to George.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
arrest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This arrest, coming just when it did, was a complete surprise to George.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But to be deprived of his liberty now, when every moment was precious, seemed to be doubly disastrous.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But to be deprived of his liberty now, when every moment was precious, seemed to be doubly disastrous.
chance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
charged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
chased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
chasing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This arrest, coming just when it did, was a complete surprise to George.
completenounUS /complete/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This arrest, coming just when it did, was a complete surprise to George.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
deprived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to be deprived of his liberty now, when every moment was precious, seemed to be doubly disastrous.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading This arrest, coming just when it did, was a complete surprise to George.
disastrous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to be deprived of his liberty now, when every moment was precious, seemed to be doubly disastrous.
doubly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to be deprived of his liberty now, when every moment was precious, seemed to be doubly disastrous.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading But to be deprived of his liberty now, when every moment was precious, seemed to be doubly disastrous.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading PLEADING FOR LIBERTY.
forty-eight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
George
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This arrest, coming just when it did, was a complete surprise to George.
guarantee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
hoped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
horses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
innocent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This arrest, coming just when it did, was a complete surprise to George.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This arrest, coming just when it did, was a complete surprise to George.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
LIBERTYnounUS /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading PLEADING FOR LIBERTY.
lose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to be deprived of his liberty now, when every moment was precious, seemed to be doubly disastrous.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to be deprived of his liberty now, when every moment was precious, seemed to be doubly disastrous.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
officers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
opportunity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
PLEADING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PLEADING FOR LIBERTY.
preciousadjectiveUS /ˈpreʃəs/
rare and worth a great deal
From this reading But to be deprived of his liberty now, when every moment was precious, seemed to be doubly disastrous.
prevented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
probable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
recover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
recovery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But to be deprived of his liberty now, when every moment was precious, seemed to be doubly disastrous.
showing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
simply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
stolen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This arrest, coming just when it did, was a complete surprise to George.
team
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
thieves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This arrest, coming just when it did, was a complete surprise to George.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This arrest, coming just when it did, was a complete surprise to George.
tracknounUS /træk/
a route or signs showing the way someone went
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This arrest, coming just when it did, was a complete surprise to George.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading This arrest, coming just when it did, was a complete surprise to George.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
