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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 On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
able
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The door was there, a locking bar across it.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If the box was a hound for hunters, had it already drawn its masters to this building?
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Dalgard did not try to shift that at once, although he laid his hands upon it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Dalgard did not try to shift that at once, although he laid his hands upon it.
bands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the gloom of the next floor was broken by odd scraps of light which showed through pierced portions of the decorative bands.
bar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door was there, a locking bar across it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
box
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the box was a hound for hunters, had it already drawn its masters to this building?
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And the gloom of the next floor was broken by odd scraps of light which showed through pierced portions of the decorative bands.
building
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the box was a hound for hunters, had it already drawn its masters to this building?
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading And the gloom of the next floor was broken by odd scraps of light which showed through pierced portions of the decorative bands.
crept
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From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
Dalgard
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From this reading Dalgard did not try to shift that at once, although he laid his hands upon it.
decorative
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From this reading And the gloom of the next floor was broken by odd scraps of light which showed through pierced portions of the decorative bands.
descending
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From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Dalgard did not try to shift that at once, although he laid his hands upon it.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door was there, a locking bar across it.
drawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the box was a hound for hunters, had it already drawn its masters to this building?
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the gloom of the next floor was broken by odd scraps of light which showed through pierced portions of the decorative bands.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading If the box was a hound for hunters, had it already drawn its masters to this building?
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
gloom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the gloom of the next floor was broken by odd scraps of light which showed through pierced portions of the decorative bands.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If the box was a hound for hunters, had it already drawn its masters to this building?
hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
hound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the box was a hound for hunters, had it already drawn its masters to this building?
hunters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the box was a hound for hunters, had it already drawn its masters to this building?
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the box was a hound for hunters, had it already drawn its masters to this building?
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading If the box was a hound for hunters, had it already drawn its masters to this building?
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
knees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dalgard did not try to shift that at once, although he laid his hands upon it.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the gloom of the next floor was broken by odd scraps of light which showed through pierced portions of the decorative bands.
locking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door was there, a locking bar across it.
masters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the box was a hound for hunters, had it already drawn its masters to this building?
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And the gloom of the next floor was broken by odd scraps of light which showed through pierced portions of the decorative bands.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Dalgard did not try to shift that at once, although he laid his hands upon it.
odd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the gloom of the next floor was broken by odd scraps of light which showed through pierced portions of the decorative bands.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading And the gloom of the next floor was broken by odd scraps of light which showed through pierced portions of the decorative bands.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dalgard did not try to shift that at once, although he laid his hands upon it.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
pierced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the gloom of the next floor was broken by odd scraps of light which showed through pierced portions of the decorative bands.
portions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the gloom of the next floor was broken by odd scraps of light which showed through pierced portions of the decorative bands.
ramp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
scout
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
scraps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the gloom of the next floor was broken by odd scraps of light which showed through pierced portions of the decorative bands.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
shift
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dalgard did not try to shift that at once, although he laid his hands upon it.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
showed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the gloom of the next floor was broken by odd scraps of light which showed through pierced portions of the decorative bands.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
steep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door was there, a locking bar across it.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading And the gloom of the next floor was broken by odd scraps of light which showed through pierced portions of the decorative bands.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
try
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dalgard did not try to shift that at once, although he laid his hands upon it.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Dalgard did not try to shift that at once, although he laid his hands upon it.
using
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading And the gloom of the next floor was broken by odd scraps of light which showed through pierced portions of the decorative bands.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading On his hands and knees the scout crept along what must have been a short hall until he found a second descending ramp, this one less steep than the first, so that he was able to keep to his feet while using it.
