Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
afterwards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three hours afterwards Mr. Madison Clay awoke to the sound of loud knocking.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At first this forced itself upon his consciousness as his daughter's regular morning summons, and was responded to by a grunt of recognition and a nestling closer in the blankets.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first this forced itself upon his consciousness as his daughter's regular morning summons, and was responded to by a grunt of recognition and a nestling closer in the blankets.
aware
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Becoming aware by this time that the knocking was at the outer door, and hearing the shout of a familiar voice, he hastily pulled on his boots, his jean trousers, and fastening a single suspender over his shoulder as he clattered downstairs, stood in the lower room.
awoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three hours afterwards Mr. Madison Clay awoke to the sound of loud knocking.
Becoming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Becoming aware by this time that the knocking was at the outer door, and hearing the shout of a familiar voice, he hastily pulled on his boots, his jean trousers, and fastening a single suspender over his shoulder as he clattered downstairs, stood in the lower room.
bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he awoke with a start and a muttered oath, remembering the events of last night, and his intention to get up early, and rolled out of bed.
bedroom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
begging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
blankets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first this forced itself upon his consciousness as his daughter's regular morning summons, and was responded to by a grunt of recognition and a nestling closer in the blankets.
boots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Becoming aware by this time that the knocking was at the outer door, and hearing the shout of a familiar voice, he hastily pulled on his boots, his jean trousers, and fastening a single suspender over his shoulder as he clattered downstairs, stood in the lower room.
breathing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
candle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
clattered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Becoming aware by this time that the knocking was at the outer door, and hearing the shout of a familiar voice, he hastily pulled on his boots, his jean trousers, and fastening a single suspender over his shoulder as he clattered downstairs, stood in the lower room.
Clay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three hours afterwards Mr. Madison Clay awoke to the sound of loud knocking.
closer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first this forced itself upon his consciousness as his daughter's regular morning summons, and was responded to by a grunt of recognition and a nestling closer in the blankets.
consciousness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first this forced itself upon his consciousness as his daughter's regular morning summons, and was responded to by a grunt of recognition and a nestling closer in the blankets.
crept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
daughter's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first this forced itself upon his consciousness as his daughter's regular morning summons, and was responded to by a grunt of recognition and a nestling closer in the blankets.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Becoming aware by this time that the knocking was at the outer door, and hearing the shout of a familiar voice, he hastily pulled on his boots, his jean trousers, and fastening a single suspender over his shoulder as he clattered downstairs, stood in the lower room.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
downstairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Becoming aware by this time that the knocking was at the outer door, and hearing the shout of a familiar voice, he hastily pulled on his boots, his jean trousers, and fastening a single suspender over his shoulder as he clattered downstairs, stood in the lower room.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he awoke with a start and a muttered oath, remembering the events of last night, and his intention to get up early, and rolled out of bed.
events
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he awoke with a start and a muttered oath, remembering the events of last night, and his intention to get up early, and rolled out of bed.
familiar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Becoming aware by this time that the knocking was at the outer door, and hearing the shout of a familiar voice, he hastily pulled on his boots, his jean trousers, and fastening a single suspender over his shoulder as he clattered downstairs, stood in the lower room.
fastening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Becoming aware by this time that the knocking was at the outer door, and hearing the shout of a familiar voice, he hastily pulled on his boots, his jean trousers, and fastening a single suspender over his shoulder as he clattered downstairs, stood in the lower room.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At first this forced itself upon his consciousness as his daughter's regular morning summons, and was responded to by a grunt of recognition and a nestling closer in the blankets.
forced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first this forced itself upon his consciousness as his daughter's regular morning summons, and was responded to by a grunt of recognition and a nestling closer in the blankets.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he awoke with a start and a muttered oath, remembering the events of last night, and his intention to get up early, and rolled out of bed.
growing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
grunt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first this forced itself upon his consciousness as his daughter's regular morning summons, and was responded to by a grunt of recognition and a nestling closer in the blankets.
guttering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
hastily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Becoming aware by this time that the knocking was at the outer door, and hearing the shout of a familiar voice, he hastily pulled on his boots, his jean trousers, and fastening a single suspender over his shoulder as he clattered downstairs, stood in the lower room.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then he awoke with a start and a muttered oath, remembering the events of last night, and his intention to get up early, and rolled out of bed.
hearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Becoming aware by this time that the knocking was at the outer door, and hearing the shout of a familiar voice, he hastily pulled on his boots, his jean trousers, and fastening a single suspender over his shoulder as he clattered downstairs, stood in the lower room.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three hours afterwards Mr. Madison Clay awoke to the sound of loud knocking.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
intention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he awoke with a start and a muttered oath, remembering the events of last night, and his intention to get up early, and rolled out of bed.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading At first this forced itself upon his consciousness as his daughter's regular morning summons, and was responded to by a grunt of recognition and a nestling closer in the blankets.
jean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Becoming aware by this time that the knocking was at the outer door, and hearing the shout of a familiar voice, he hastily pulled on his boots, his jean trousers, and fastening a single suspender over his shoulder as he clattered downstairs, stood in the lower room.
knocking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three hours afterwards Mr. Madison Clay awoke to the sound of loud knocking.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then he awoke with a start and a muttered oath, remembering the events of last night, and his intention to get up early, and rolled out of bed.
leaving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
listening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
long-drawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
loud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three hours afterwards Mr. Madison Clay awoke to the sound of loud knocking.
lower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Becoming aware by this time that the knocking was at the outer door, and hearing the shout of a familiar voice, he hastily pulled on his boots, his jean trousers, and fastening a single suspender over his shoulder as he clattered downstairs, stood in the lower room.
Madison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three hours afterwards Mr. Madison Clay awoke to the sound of loud knocking.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At first this forced itself upon his consciousness as his daughter's regular morning summons, and was responded to by a grunt of recognition and a nestling closer in the blankets.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three hours afterwards Mr. Madison Clay awoke to the sound of loud knocking.
mutteredverbUS /ˈmʌtərd/
spoke in a low voice that was difficult to hear
From this reading Then he awoke with a start and a muttered oath, remembering the events of last night, and his intention to get up early, and rolled out of bed.
nestling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first this forced itself upon his consciousness as his daughter's regular morning summons, and was responded to by a grunt of recognition and a nestling closer in the blankets.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he awoke with a start and a muttered oath, remembering the events of last night, and his intention to get up early, and rolled out of bed.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
note
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
oath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he awoke with a start and a muttered oath, remembering the events of last night, and his intention to get up early, and rolled out of bed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
outer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Becoming aware by this time that the knocking was at the outer door, and hearing the shout of a familiar voice, he hastily pulled on his boots, his jean trousers, and fastening a single suspender over his shoulder as he clattered downstairs, stood in the lower room.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Becoming aware by this time that the knocking was at the outer door, and hearing the shout of a familiar voice, he hastily pulled on his boots, his jean trousers, and fastening a single suspender over his shoulder as he clattered downstairs, stood in the lower room.
pullednounUS /pulled/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Becoming aware by this time that the knocking was at the outer door, and hearing the shout of a familiar voice, he hastily pulled on his boots, his jean trousers, and fastening a single suspender over his shoulder as he clattered downstairs, stood in the lower room.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
recognition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first this forced itself upon his consciousness as his daughter's regular morning summons, and was responded to by a grunt of recognition and a nestling closer in the blankets.
regular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first this forced itself upon his consciousness as his daughter's regular morning summons, and was responded to by a grunt of recognition and a nestling closer in the blankets.
remembering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he awoke with a start and a muttered oath, remembering the events of last night, and his intention to get up early, and rolled out of bed.
responded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first this forced itself upon his consciousness as his daughter's regular morning summons, and was responded to by a grunt of recognition and a nestling closer in the blankets.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
rolled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he awoke with a start and a muttered oath, remembering the events of last night, and his intention to get up early, and rolled out of bed.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Becoming aware by this time that the knocking was at the outer door, and hearing the shout of a familiar voice, he hastily pulled on his boots, his jean trousers, and fastening a single suspender over his shoulder as he clattered downstairs, stood in the lower room.
scrawled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
search
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
shoulder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Becoming aware by this time that the knocking was at the outer door, and hearing the shout of a familiar voice, he hastily pulled on his boots, his jean trousers, and fastening a single suspender over his shoulder as he clattered downstairs, stood in the lower room.
shout
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Becoming aware by this time that the knocking was at the outer door, and hearing the shout of a familiar voice, he hastily pulled on his boots, his jean trousers, and fastening a single suspender over his shoulder as he clattered downstairs, stood in the lower room.
single
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Becoming aware by this time that the knocking was at the outer door, and hearing the shout of a familiar voice, he hastily pulled on his boots, his jean trousers, and fastening a single suspender over his shoulder as he clattered downstairs, stood in the lower room.
softly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three hours afterwards Mr. Madison Clay awoke to the sound of loud knocking.
stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
startnounUS /start/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then he awoke with a start and a muttered oath, remembering the events of last night, and his intention to get up early, and rolled out of bed.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Becoming aware by this time that the knocking was at the outer door, and hearing the shout of a familiar voice, he hastily pulled on his boots, his jean trousers, and fastening a single suspender over his shoulder as he clattered downstairs, stood in the lower room.
summonsnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/
an official order to appear or respond
From this reading At first this forced itself upon his consciousness as his daughter's regular morning summons, and was responded to by a grunt of recognition and a nestling closer in the blankets.
suspender
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Becoming aware by this time that the knocking was at the outer door, and hearing the shout of a familiar voice, he hastily pulled on his boots, his jean trousers, and fastening a single suspender over his shoulder as he clattered downstairs, stood in the lower room.
swiftly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Becoming aware by this time that the knocking was at the outer door, and hearing the shout of a familiar voice, he hastily pulled on his boots, his jean trousers, and fastening a single suspender over his shoulder as he clattered downstairs, stood in the lower room.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading At first this forced itself upon his consciousness as his daughter's regular morning summons, and was responded to by a grunt of recognition and a nestling closer in the blankets.
Three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three hours afterwards Mr. Madison Clay awoke to the sound of loud knocking.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Becoming aware by this time that the knocking was at the outer door, and hearing the shout of a familiar voice, he hastily pulled on his boots, his jean trousers, and fastening a single suspender over his shoulder as he clattered downstairs, stood in the lower room.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
trousers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Becoming aware by this time that the knocking was at the outer door, and hearing the shout of a familiar voice, he hastily pulled on his boots, his jean trousers, and fastening a single suspender over his shoulder as he clattered downstairs, stood in the lower room.
trust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading She crept softly down the stairs, listening to the long-drawn breathing of her father in his bedroom, and then, by the light of a guttering candle, scrawled a note to him, begging him not to trust himself out of the house until she returned from her search, and leaving the note open on the table, swiftly ran out into the growing day.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he awoke with a start and a muttered oath, remembering the events of last night, and his intention to get up early, and rolled out of bed.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading At first this forced itself upon his consciousness as his daughter's regular morning summons, and was responded to by a grunt of recognition and a nestling closer in the blankets.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Becoming aware by this time that the knocking was at the outer door, and hearing the shout of a familiar voice, he hastily pulled on his boots, his jean trousers, and fastening a single suspender over his shoulder as he clattered downstairs, stood in the lower room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At first this forced itself upon his consciousness as his daughter's regular morning summons, and was responded to by a grunt of recognition and a nestling closer in the blankets.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then he awoke with a start and a muttered oath, remembering the events of last night, and his intention to get up early, and rolled out of bed.
