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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 THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There were girls that he knew who would have gone the limit and said something about missing Wiley Holman.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading There was a look in her eyes, a brooding glow of resentment when he spoke of his father and hers; and, while he spoke from the heart, she drooped her dark lashes and was silent beyond her wont.
brooding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a look in her eyes, a brooding glow of resentment when he spoke of his father and hers; and, while he spoke from the heart, she drooped her dark lashes and was silent beyond her wont.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
cats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He gave her much but she gave him little--and the reason she was sorry to leave Keno was the parting with six suffering cats.
changed
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From this reading Wiley Holman had a secret which might have changed Virginia's life and filled every day with joy and hope, but he shut down his lips and held it back and spoke kind words instead.
closely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a look in her eyes, a brooding glow of resentment when he spoke of his father and hers; and, while he spoke from the heart, she drooped her dark lashes and was silent beyond her wont.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wiley Holman had a secret which might have changed Virginia's life and filled every day with joy and hope, but he shut down his lips and held it back and spoke kind words instead.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wiley Holman had a secret which might have changed Virginia's life and filled every day with joy and hope, but he shut down his lips and held it back and spoke kind words instead.
drooped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a look in her eyes, a brooding glow of resentment when he spoke of his father and hers; and, while he spoke from the heart, she drooped her dark lashes and was silent beyond her wont.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
EXPLOSIONnounUS /ɪkˈsploʊʒən/
a sudden violent burst of sound or force
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a look in her eyes, a brooding glow of resentment when he spoke of his father and hers; and, while he spoke from the heart, she drooped her dark lashes and was silent beyond her wont.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a look in her eyes, a brooding glow of resentment when he spoke of his father and hers; and, while he spoke from the heart, she drooped her dark lashes and was silent beyond her wont.
filled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wiley Holman had a secret which might have changed Virginia's life and filled every day with joy and hope, but he shut down his lips and held it back and spoke kind words instead.
flutters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There was a look in her eyes, a brooding glow of resentment when he spoke of his father and hers; and, while he spoke from the heart, she drooped her dark lashes and was silent beyond her wont.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He gave her much but she gave him little--and the reason she was sorry to leave Keno was the parting with six suffering cats.
girls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were girls that he knew who would have gone the limit and said something about missing Wiley Holman.
glance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
glow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a look in her eyes, a brooding glow of resentment when he spoke of his father and hers; and, while he spoke from the heart, she drooped her dark lashes and was silent beyond her wont.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were girls that he knew who would have gone the limit and said something about missing Wiley Holman.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Wiley Holman had a secret which might have changed Virginia's life and filled every day with joy and hope, but he shut down his lips and held it back and spoke kind words instead.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Wiley Holman had a secret which might have changed Virginia's life and filled every day with joy and hope, but he shut down his lips and held it back and spoke kind words instead.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a look in her eyes, a brooding glow of resentment when he spoke of his father and hers; and, while he spoke from the heart, she drooped her dark lashes and was silent beyond her wont.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wiley Holman had a secret which might have changed Virginia's life and filled every day with joy and hope, but he shut down his lips and held it back and spoke kind words instead.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading There was a look in her eyes, a brooding glow of resentment when he spoke of his father and hers; and, while he spoke from the heart, she drooped her dark lashes and was silent beyond her wont.
herspronounUS /hərz/
the one or ones belonging to her
From this reading There was a look in her eyes, a brooding glow of resentment when he spoke of his father and hers; and, while he spoke from the heart, she drooped her dark lashes and was silent beyond her wont.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He gave her much but she gave him little--and the reason she was sorry to leave Keno was the parting with six suffering cats.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
holds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
Holman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wiley Holman had a secret which might have changed Virginia's life and filled every day with joy and hope, but he shut down his lips and held it back and spoke kind words instead.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wiley Holman had a secret which might have changed Virginia's life and filled every day with joy and hope, but he shut down his lips and held it back and spoke kind words instead.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was a look in her eyes, a brooding glow of resentment when he spoke of his father and hers; and, while he spoke from the heart, she drooped her dark lashes and was silent beyond her wont.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wiley Holman had a secret which might have changed Virginia's life and filled every day with joy and hope, but he shut down his lips and held it back and spoke kind words instead.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
joy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wiley Holman had a secret which might have changed Virginia's life and filled every day with joy and hope, but he shut down his lips and held it back and spoke kind words instead.
Keno
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He gave her much but she gave him little--and the reason she was sorry to leave Keno was the parting with six suffering cats.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wiley Holman had a secret which might have changed Virginia's life and filled every day with joy and hope, but he shut down his lips and held it back and spoke kind words instead.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were girls that he knew who would have gone the limit and said something about missing Wiley Holman.
lashes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a look in her eyes, a brooding glow of resentment when he spoke of his father and hers; and, while he spoke from the heart, she drooped her dark lashes and was silent beyond her wont.
leave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He gave her much but she gave him little--and the reason she was sorry to leave Keno was the parting with six suffering cats.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Wiley Holman had a secret which might have changed Virginia's life and filled every day with joy and hope, but he shut down his lips and held it back and spoke kind words instead.
limit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were girls that he knew who would have gone the limit and said something about missing Wiley Holman.
lips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He gave her much but she gave him little--and the reason she was sorry to leave Keno was the parting with six suffering cats.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was a look in her eyes, a brooding glow of resentment when he spoke of his father and hers; and, while he spoke from the heart, she drooped her dark lashes and was silent beyond her wont.
man's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Wiley Holman had a secret which might have changed Virginia's life and filled every day with joy and hope, but he shut down his lips and held it back and spoke kind words instead.
missing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were girls that he knew who would have gone the limit and said something about missing Wiley Holman.
moments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He gave her much but she gave him little--and the reason she was sorry to leave Keno was the parting with six suffering cats.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was a look in her eyes, a brooding glow of resentment when he spoke of his father and hers; and, while he spoke from the heart, she drooped her dark lashes and was silent beyond her wont.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
parting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He gave her much but she gave him little--and the reason she was sorry to leave Keno was the parting with six suffering cats.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He gave her much but she gave him little--and the reason she was sorry to leave Keno was the parting with six suffering cats.
resentment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a look in her eyes, a brooding glow of resentment when he spoke of his father and hers; and, while he spoke from the heart, she drooped her dark lashes and was silent beyond her wont.
rises
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was a look in her eyes, a brooding glow of resentment when he spoke of his father and hers; and, while he spoke from the heart, she drooped her dark lashes and was silent beyond her wont.
shut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wiley Holman had a secret which might have changed Virginia's life and filled every day with joy and hope, but he shut down his lips and held it back and spoke kind words instead.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a look in her eyes, a brooding glow of resentment when he spoke of his father and hers; and, while he spoke from the heart, she drooped her dark lashes and was silent beyond her wont.
six
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He gave her much but she gave him little--and the reason she was sorry to leave Keno was the parting with six suffering cats.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading There were girls that he knew who would have gone the limit and said something about missing Wiley Holman.
sorry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He gave her much but she gave him little--and the reason she was sorry to leave Keno was the parting with six suffering cats.
spoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wiley Holman had a secret which might have changed Virginia's life and filled every day with joy and hope, but he shut down his lips and held it back and spoke kind words instead.
suffering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He gave her much but she gave him little--and the reason she was sorry to leave Keno was the parting with six suffering cats.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There were girls that he knew who would have gone the limit and said something about missing Wiley Holman.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
turns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
unsaid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
Virginia's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wiley Holman had a secret which might have changed Virginia's life and filled every day with joy and hope, but he shut down his lips and held it back and spoke kind words instead.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a look in her eyes, a brooding glow of resentment when he spoke of his father and hers; and, while he spoke from the heart, she drooped her dark lashes and was silent beyond her wont.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were girls that he knew who would have gone the limit and said something about missing Wiley Holman.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Wiley Holman had a secret which might have changed Virginia's life and filled every day with joy and hope, but he shut down his lips and held it back and spoke kind words instead.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading There was a look in her eyes, a brooding glow of resentment when he spoke of his father and hers; and, while he spoke from the heart, she drooped her dark lashes and was silent beyond her wont.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading There were girls that he knew who would have gone the limit and said something about missing Wiley Holman.
Wiley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wiley Holman had a secret which might have changed Virginia's life and filled every day with joy and hope, but he shut down his lips and held it back and spoke kind words instead.
wing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Wiley Holman had a secret which might have changed Virginia's life and filled every day with joy and hope, but he shut down his lips and held it back and spoke kind words instead.
wont
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a look in her eyes, a brooding glow of resentment when he spoke of his father and hers; and, while he spoke from the heart, she drooped her dark lashes and was silent beyond her wont.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EXPLOSION There are moments when his great secret rises to every man's lips and flutters to wing away; but a thought, a glance, a word said or unsaid, turns it back and he holds it more closely.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wiley Holman had a secret which might have changed Virginia's life and filled every day with joy and hope, but he shut down his lips and held it back and spoke kind words instead.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There were girls that he knew who would have gone the limit and said something about missing Wiley Holman.
