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 As he leaped head foremost with her into the water, she closed her eyes and breathed a silent prayer, for she was confident that the maniac had no other purpose than to drown himself and her.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading He took perhaps not more than a dozen strokes directly toward the end wall of the pool and then he arose; and once again she knew that her head was above the surface.
absolute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the frightful ordeal she maintained absolute control of her senses so that, after the first plunge, she was aware that the man was swimming with her beneath the surface.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Through the frightful ordeal she maintained absolute control of her senses so that, after the first plunge, she was aware that the man was swimming with her beneath the surface.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He took perhaps not more than a dozen strokes directly toward the end wall of the pool and then he arose; and once again she knew that her head was above the surface.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As he leaped head foremost with her into the water, she closed her eyes and breathed a silent prayer, for she was confident that the maniac had no other purpose than to drown himself and her.
approached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
arose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took perhaps not more than a dozen strokes directly toward the end wall of the pool and then he arose; and once again she knew that her head was above the surface.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
asphyxiating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
aware
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the frightful ordeal she maintained absolute control of her senses so that, after the first plunge, she was aware that the man was swimming with her beneath the surface.
believed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Through the frightful ordeal she maintained absolute control of her senses so that, after the first plunge, she was aware that the man was swimming with her beneath the surface.
Bertha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
bore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
breath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
breathed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he leaped head foremost with her into the water, she closed her eyes and breathed a silent prayer, for she was confident that the maniac had no other purpose than to drown himself and her.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he leaped head foremost with her into the water, she closed her eyes and breathed a silent prayer, for she was confident that the maniac had no other purpose than to drown himself and her.
clungnounUS /clung/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
clutches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
conception
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
confident
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he leaped head foremost with her into the water, she closed her eyes and breathed a silent prayer, for she was confident that the maniac had no other purpose than to drown himself and her.
contemplated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
control
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the frightful ordeal she maintained absolute control of her senses so that, after the first plunge, she was aware that the man was swimming with her beneath the surface.
death
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
deed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
directlynounUS /ˈdirectly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He took perhaps not more than a dozen strokes directly toward the end wall of the pool and then he arose; and once again she knew that her head was above the surface.
dozen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took perhaps not more than a dozen strokes directly toward the end wall of the pool and then he arose; and once again she knew that her head was above the surface.
drown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he leaped head foremost with her into the water, she closed her eyes and breathed a silent prayer, for she was confident that the maniac had no other purpose than to drown himself and her.
edge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took perhaps not more than a dozen strokes directly toward the end wall of the pool and then he arose; and once again she knew that her head was above the surface.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he leaped head foremost with her into the water, she closed her eyes and breathed a silent prayer, for she was confident that the maniac had no other purpose than to drown himself and her.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
final
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
Flight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
flood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As he leaped head foremost with her into the water, she closed her eyes and breathed a silent prayer, for she was confident that the maniac had no other purpose than to drown himself and her.
foremostnounUS /ˈforemost/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading As he leaped head foremost with her into the water, she closed her eyes and breathed a silent prayer, for she was confident that the maniac had no other purpose than to drown himself and her.
freeadjectiveUS /friː/
acting without enough restraint or discipline
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
frightful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
guessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he leaped head foremost with her into the water, she closed her eyes and breathed a silent prayer, for she was confident that the maniac had no other purpose than to drown himself and her.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As he leaped head foremost with her into the water, she closed her eyes and breathed a silent prayer, for she was confident that the maniac had no other purpose than to drown himself and her.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading As he leaped head foremost with her into the water, she closed her eyes and breathed a silent prayer, for she was confident that the maniac had no other purpose than to drown himself and her.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
inevitably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As he leaped head foremost with her into the water, she closed her eyes and breathed a silent prayer, for she was confident that the maniac had no other purpose than to drown himself and her.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
Kircher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took perhaps not more than a dozen strokes directly toward the end wall of the pool and then he arose; and once again she knew that her head was above the surface.
law
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
leaped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he leaped head foremost with her into the water, she closed her eyes and breathed a silent prayer, for she was confident that the maniac had no other purpose than to drown himself and her.
lessen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
lungs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
madman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
maintained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the frightful ordeal she maintained absolute control of her senses so that, after the first plunge, she was aware that the man was swimming with her beneath the surface.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the frightful ordeal she maintained absolute control of her senses so that, after the first plunge, she was aware that the man was swimming with her beneath the surface.
maniac
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he leaped head foremost with her into the water, she closed her eyes and breathed a silent prayer, for she was confident that the maniac had no other purpose than to drown himself and her.
Metak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took perhaps not more than a dozen strokes directly toward the end wall of the pool and then he arose; and once again she knew that her head was above the surface.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took perhaps not more than a dozen strokes directly toward the end wall of the pool and then he arose; and once again she knew that her head was above the surface.
ordeal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the frightful ordeal she maintained absolute control of her senses so that, after the first plunge, she was aware that the man was swimming with her beneath the surface.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he leaped head foremost with her into the water, she closed her eyes and breathed a silent prayer, for she was confident that the maniac had no other purpose than to drown himself and her.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took perhaps not more than a dozen strokes directly toward the end wall of the pool and then he arose; and once again she knew that her head was above the surface.
plunge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the frightful ordeal she maintained absolute control of her senses so that, after the first plunge, she was aware that the man was swimming with her beneath the surface.
pool
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
potent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
powerful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
prayer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he leaped head foremost with her into the water, she closed her eyes and breathed a silent prayer, for she was confident that the maniac had no other purpose than to drown himself and her.
purpose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he leaped head foremost with her into the water, she closed her eyes and breathed a silent prayer, for she was confident that the maniac had no other purpose than to drown himself and her.
sensesplural nounUS /ˈsɛnsɪz/
powers of perception and awareness
From this reading Through the frightful ordeal she maintained absolute control of her senses so that, after the first plunge, she was aware that the man was swimming with her beneath the surface.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he leaped head foremost with her into the water, she closed her eyes and breathed a silent prayer, for she was confident that the maniac had no other purpose than to drown himself and her.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
speed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
strokes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took perhaps not more than a dozen strokes directly toward the end wall of the pool and then he arose; and once again she knew that her head was above the surface.
struggled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
surely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
surface
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the frightful ordeal she maintained absolute control of her senses so that, after the first plunge, she was aware that the man was swimming with her beneath the surface.
swimming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the frightful ordeal she maintained absolute control of her senses so that, after the first plunge, she was aware that the man was swimming with her beneath the surface.
tenaciously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading As he leaped head foremost with her into the water, she closed her eyes and breathed a silent prayer, for she was confident that the maniac had no other purpose than to drown himself and her.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As he leaped head foremost with her into the water, she closed her eyes and breathed a silent prayer, for she was confident that the maniac had no other purpose than to drown himself and her.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took perhaps not more than a dozen strokes directly toward the end wall of the pool and then he arose; and once again she knew that her head was above the surface.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
ThroughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Through the frightful ordeal she maintained absolute control of her senses so that, after the first plunge, she was aware that the man was swimming with her beneath the surface.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As he leaped head foremost with her into the water, she closed her eyes and breathed a silent prayer, for she was confident that the maniac had no other purpose than to drown himself and her.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He took perhaps not more than a dozen strokes directly toward the end wall of the pool and then he arose; and once again she knew that her head was above the surface.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took perhaps not more than a dozen strokes directly toward the end wall of the pool and then he arose; and once again she knew that her head was above the surface.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As he leaped head foremost with her into the water, she closed her eyes and breathed a silent prayer, for she was confident that the maniac had no other purpose than to drown himself and her.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he leaped head foremost with her into the water, she closed her eyes and breathed a silent prayer, for she was confident that the maniac had no other purpose than to drown himself and her.
waters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading As he leaped head foremost with her into the water, she closed her eyes and breathed a silent prayer, for she was confident that the maniac had no other purpose than to drown himself and her.
Xuja
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Flight from Xuja As Metak bore Bertha Kircher toward the edge of the pool, the girl at first had no conception of the deed he contemplated but when, as they approached the edge, he did not lessen his speed she guessed the frightful truth.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading And yet, so potent is the first law of nature that even in the face of certain death, as she surely believed herself, she clung tenaciously to life, and while she struggled to free herself from the powerful clutches of the madman, she held her breath against the final moment when the asphyxiating waters must inevitably flood her lungs.