4
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next morning, at precisely 4 a.m., there was an earthquake.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Next morning, at precisely 4 a.m., there was an earthquake.
alarmnounUS /əˈlɑːrm/
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading It was a false alarm.
AmericannounUS /əˈmerəkən/
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading An American lady, staying at Mr. Muhlen's high-class hotel, jumped from her bed-room on the third floor into the courtyard below, and narrowly escaped bruising her ankle.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Next morning, at precisely 4 a.m., there was an earthquake.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading An American lady, staying at Mr. Muhlen's high-class hotel, jumped from her bed-room on the third floor into the courtyard below, and narrowly escaped bruising her ankle.
anklenounUS /ˈæŋkəl/
a gliding joint between the distal ends of the tibia and fibula and the proximal end of the talus
From this reading An American lady, staying at Mr. Muhlen's high-class hotel, jumped from her bed-room on the third floor into the courtyard below, and narrowly escaped bruising her ankle.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Next morning, at precisely 4 a.m., there was an earthquake.
bed-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An American lady, staying at Mr. Muhlen's high-class hotel, jumped from her bed-room on the third floor into the courtyard below, and narrowly escaped bruising her ankle.
bellnounUS /bel/
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading An American lady, staying at Mr. Muhlen's high-class hotel, jumped from her bed-room on the third floor into the courtyard below, and narrowly escaped bruising her ankle.
boomingadjectiveUS /ˈbuːmɪŋ/
very lively and profitable
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
bruisingadjectiveUS /ˈbruːzɪŋ/
causing mental or emotional injury
From this reading An American lady, staying at Mr. Muhlen's high-class hotel, jumped from her bed-room on the third floor into the courtyard below, and narrowly escaped bruising her ankle.
cannonnounUS /ˈkænən/
a large artillery gun that is usually on wheels
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
clangingadjectiveUS /ˈklæŋɪŋ/
having a loud resonant metallic sound
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
concernedadjectiveUS /kənˈsɜːrnd/
feeling or showing worry or solicitude
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
concussionnounUS /kənˈkʌʃən/
injury to the brain caused by a blow; usually resulting in loss of consciousness
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
conditionsnounUS /kənˈdɪʃənz/
the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process
From this reading Foreigners unaccustomed to Nepenthean conditions rushed in their pyjamas out of doors, to escape the falling wreckage.
costnounUS /kɑːst/
the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
courtyardnounUS /ˈkɔːrt.jɑːrd/
An unroofed area that is completely or partially enclosed by the walls of a house.
From this reading An American lady, staying at Mr. Muhlen's high-class hotel, jumped from her bed-room on the third floor into the courtyard below, and narrowly escaped bruising her ankle.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
doorsnounUS /dɔːrz/
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Foreigners unaccustomed to Nepenthean conditions rushed in their pyjamas out of doors, to escape the falling wreckage.
DukenounUS /duːk/
a British peer of the highest rank
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
earthquakenounUS /ˈɜːrθkweɪk/
shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground movement along a fault plane or from volcanic activity
From this reading Next morning, at precisely 4 a.m., there was an earthquake.
enormousadjectiveUS /ɪˈnɔːrməs/
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
escapenounUS /ɪˈskeɪp/
the act of escaping physically
From this reading Foreigners unaccustomed to Nepenthean conditions rushed in their pyjamas out of doors, to escape the falling wreckage.
escapedadjectiveUS /ɪˈskeɪpt/
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading An American lady, staying at Mr. Muhlen's high-class hotel, jumped from her bed-room on the third floor into the courtyard below, and narrowly escaped bruising her ankle.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
explosionnounUS /ɪkˈsploʊʒən/
a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
fallingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːlɪŋ/
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading Foreigners unaccustomed to Nepenthean conditions rushed in their pyjamas out of doors, to escape the falling wreckage.
falseadjectiveUS /fɔːls/
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
From this reading It was a false alarm.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
far-famedadjective
widely known and esteemed
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
floornounUS /flɔːr/
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading An American lady, staying at Mr. Muhlen's high-class hotel, jumped from her bed-room on the third floor into the courtyard below, and narrowly escaped bruising her ankle.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
ForeignersnounUS /ˈfɔːrənərz/
plural of “foreigner” — a person who comes from a foreign country; someone who does not owe allegiance to your country
From this reading Foreigners unaccustomed to Nepenthean conditions rushed in their pyjamas out of doors, to escape the falling wreckage.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading An American lady, staying at Mr. Muhlen's high-class hotel, jumped from her bed-room on the third floor into the courtyard below, and narrowly escaped bruising her ankle.
GoodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
gunnounUS /ɡʌn/
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading An American lady, staying at Mr. Muhlen's high-class hotel, jumped from her bed-room on the third floor into the courtyard below, and narrowly escaped bruising her ankle.
high-classadjective
pretentiously elegant
From this reading An American lady, staying at Mr. Muhlen's high-class hotel, jumped from her bed-room on the third floor into the courtyard below, and narrowly escaped bruising her ankle.
hotelnounUS /hoʊˈtel/
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading An American lady, staying at Mr. Muhlen's high-class hotel, jumped from her bed-room on the third floor into the courtyard below, and narrowly escaped bruising her ankle.
hundrednounUS /ˈhʌndrəd/
ten 10s
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
hundredsnounUS /ˈhʌndrədz/
plural of “hundred” — ten 10s
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Foreigners unaccustomed to Nepenthean conditions rushed in their pyjamas out of doors, to escape the falling wreckage.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading An American lady, staying at Mr. Muhlen's high-class hotel, jumped from her bed-room on the third floor into the courtyard below, and narrowly escaped bruising her ankle.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a false alarm.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
jumpedverbUS /dʒʌmpt/
past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading An American lady, staying at Mr. Muhlen's high-class hotel, jumped from her bed-room on the third floor into the courtyard below, and narrowly escaped bruising her ankle.
ladynounUS /ˈleɪdi/
a polite name for any woman
From this reading An American lady, staying at Mr. Muhlen's high-class hotel, jumped from her bed-room on the third floor into the courtyard below, and narrowly escaped bruising her ankle.
livesnounUS /lɪvz/
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
loadersnounUS /ˈloʊdərz/
plural of “loader” — a laborer who loads and unloads vessels in a port
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
mnounUS /em/
the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
From this reading Next morning, at precisely 4 a.m., there was an earthquake.
magnitudenounUS /ˈmæɡnətuːd/
the property of relative size or extent (whether large or small)
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Next morning, at precisely 4 a.m., there was an earthquake.
mortarsnounUS /ˈmɔːrtərz/
plural of “mortar” — a muzzle-loading high-angle gun with a short barrel that fires shells at high elevations for a short range
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading An American lady, staying at Mr. Muhlen's high-class hotel, jumped from her bed-room on the third floor into the courtyard below, and narrowly escaped bruising her ankle.
Muhlen's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An American lady, staying at Mr. Muhlen's high-class hotel, jumped from her bed-room on the third floor into the courtyard below, and narrowly escaped bruising her ankle.
narrowlyadverbUS /ˈneroʊli/
in a narrow manner; not allowing for exceptions
From this reading An American lady, staying at Mr. Muhlen's high-class hotel, jumped from her bed-room on the third floor into the courtyard below, and narrowly escaped bruising her ankle.
Nepenthean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Foreigners unaccustomed to Nepenthean conditions rushed in their pyjamas out of doors, to escape the falling wreckage.
NextadjectiveUS /nekst/
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Next morning, at precisely 4 a.m., there was an earthquake.
noisenounUS /nɔɪz/
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Foreigners unaccustomed to Nepenthean conditions rushed in their pyjamas out of doors, to escape the falling wreckage.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading An American lady, staying at Mr. Muhlen's high-class hotel, jumped from her bed-room on the third floor into the courtyard below, and narrowly escaped bruising her ankle.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Foreigners unaccustomed to Nepenthean conditions rushed in their pyjamas out of doors, to escape the falling wreckage.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
preciselyadverbUS /prɪˈsaɪsli/
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading Next morning, at precisely 4 a.m., there was an earthquake.
pyjamas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Foreigners unaccustomed to Nepenthean conditions rushed in their pyjamas out of doors, to escape the falling wreckage.
rushedadjectiveUS /rʌʃt/
done under pressure
From this reading Foreigners unaccustomed to Nepenthean conditions rushed in their pyjamas out of doors, to escape the falling wreckage.
simultaneousadjectiveUS /ˌsaɪməlˈteɪniəs/
occurring or operating at the same time
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
stayingverbUS /ˈsteɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading An American lady, staying at Mr. Muhlen's high-class hotel, jumped from her bed-room on the third floor into the courtyard below, and narrowly escaped bruising her ankle.
suddenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌdən/
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Foreigners unaccustomed to Nepenthean conditions rushed in their pyjamas out of doors, to escape the falling wreckage.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Foreigners unaccustomed to Nepenthean conditions rushed in their pyjamas out of doors, to escape the falling wreckage.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Next morning, at precisely 4 a.m., there was an earthquake.
thirdnounUS /θɜːrd/
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading An American lady, staying at Mr. Muhlen's high-class hotel, jumped from her bed-room on the third floor into the courtyard below, and narrowly escaped bruising her ankle.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Foreigners unaccustomed to Nepenthean conditions rushed in their pyjamas out of doors, to escape the falling wreckage.
tricksnounUS /trɪks/
plural of “trick” — a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
twelvenounUS /twelv/
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
unaccustomedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈkʌstəmd/
unusual or unfamiliar
From this reading Foreigners unaccustomed to Nepenthean conditions rushed in their pyjamas out of doors, to escape the falling wreckage.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Next morning, at precisely 4 a.m., there was an earthquake.
waywardadjectiveUS /ˈweɪwərd/
resistant to guidance or discipline
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading The sudden clanging of every bell on the place, the explosion of twelve hundred mortars and the simultaneous booming of an enormous cannon--that far-famed gun whose wayward tricks had cost the lives of hundreds of its loaders in the days of the Good Duke--might have passed for an earthquake of the first magnitude, so far as noise and concussion were concerned.
wreckagenounUS /ˈrekədʒ/
the remaining parts of something that has been wrecked
From this reading Foreigners unaccustomed to Nepenthean conditions rushed in their pyjamas out of doors, to escape the falling wreckage.
