adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/
anew
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
ARMSnounUS /ɑːrmz/
weapons considered collectively
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In five minutes, ten at the outside, he must emerge again--as Jimmie Dale.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
BatnounUS /bæt/
nocturnal mouselike mammal with forelimbs modified to form membranous wings and anatomical adaptations for echolocation by which they navigate
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
blacknessnounUS /ˈblæknəs/
the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
CALLverbUS /kɔːl/
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
carefullyadverbUS /ˈkerfəli/
taking care or paying attention
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
cat'snounUS /kæts/
possessive form of “cat” — feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
cautionnounUS /ˈkɑːʃən/
the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger
From this reading There was need for silence, need for caution.
chagrinnounUS /ʃəˈɡrɪn/
strong feelings of embarrassment
From this reading With a smile on his lips that mingled curiously chagrin and self-commiseration, he took the letter from his pocket and tore it open.
closedadjectiveUS /kloʊzd/
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
closingnounUS /ˈkloʊzɪŋ/
the act of closing something
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
curiouslyadverbUS /ˈkjʊriəsli/
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading With a smile on his lips that mingled curiously chagrin and self-commiseration, he took the letter from his pocket and tore it open.
DalenounUS /deɪl/
an open river valley (in a hilly area)
From this reading In five minutes, ten at the outside, he must emerge again--as Jimmie Dale.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
emergeverbUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒ/
come out into view, as from concealment
From this reading In five minutes, ten at the outside, he must emerge again--as Jimmie Dale.
fivenounUS /faɪv/
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading In five minutes, ten at the outside, he must emerge again--as Jimmie Dale.
flaredverbUS /flerd/
past form of “flare” — burn brightly
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was need for silence, need for caution.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading With a smile on his lips that mingled curiously chagrin and self-commiseration, he took the letter from his pocket and tore it open.
gasnounUS /ɡæs/
the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
hingesnounUS /ˈhɪndʒɪz/
plural of “hinge” — a joint that holds two parts together so that one can swing relative to the other
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading With a smile on his lips that mingled curiously chagrin and self-commiseration, he took the letter from his pocket and tore it open.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
illuminatingadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈluːməneɪtɪŋ/
tending to increase knowledge or dissipate ignorance
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading With a smile on his lips that mingled curiously chagrin and self-commiseration, he took the letter from his pocket and tore it open.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
jetnounUS /dʒet/
an airplane powered by one or more jet engines
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
Jimmie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In five minutes, ten at the outside, he must emerge again--as Jimmie Dale.
keynounUS /kiː/
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
Larry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
letternounUS /ˈletər/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading With a smile on his lips that mingled curiously chagrin and self-commiseration, he took the letter from his pocket and tore it open.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
lipsnounUS /lɪps/
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading With a smile on his lips that mingled curiously chagrin and self-commiseration, he took the letter from his pocket and tore it open.
lockverbUS /lɑːk/
fasten with a lock
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
mingledverbUS /ˈmɪŋɡəld/
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading With a smile on his lips that mingled curiously chagrin and self-commiseration, he took the letter from his pocket and tore it open.
minutesnounUS /ˈmɪnəts/
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading In five minutes, ten at the outside, he must emerge again--as Jimmie Dale.
miserableadjectiveUS /ˈmɪzərəbəl/
very unhappy; full of misery
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
murkyadjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrki/
(of liquids) clouded as with sediment
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading In five minutes, ten at the outside, he must emerge again--as Jimmie Dale.
neednounUS /niːd/
a condition requiring relief
From this reading There was need for silence, need for caution.
noiselessadjective
making no sound
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
NotadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
oiledadjectiveUS /ɔɪld/
treated with oil
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading With a smile on his lips that mingled curiously chagrin and self-commiseration, he took the letter from his pocket and tore it open.
outsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading In five minutes, ten at the outside, he must emerge again--as Jimmie Dale.
pocketnounUS /ˈpɑːkət/
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading With a smile on his lips that mingled curiously chagrin and self-commiseration, he took the letter from his pocket and tore it open.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
SanctuarynounUS /ˈsæŋk.tʃu.er.i/
A place of safety, refuge, or holy retreat within the academy.
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
satisfyverbUS /ˈsætəsfaɪ/
meet the requirements or expectations of
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
self-commiseration
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a smile on his lips that mingled curiously chagrin and self-commiseration, he took the letter from his pocket and tore it open.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
shuttersnounUS /ˈʃʌtərz/
plural of “shutter” — a mechanical device on a camera that opens and closes to control the time of a photographic exposure
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading There was need for silence, need for caution.
singleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪŋɡəl/
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
slippedverbUS /slɪpt/
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
smileverbUS /smaɪl/
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading With a smile on his lips that mingled curiously chagrin and self-commiseration, he took the letter from his pocket and tore it open.
soundnounUS /saʊnd/
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
squalidadjectiveUS /ˈskwɑːləd/
morally degraded
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
swungverbUS /swʌŋ/
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
tennounUS /ten/
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading In five minutes, ten at the outside, he must emerge again--as Jimmie Dale.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was need for silence, need for caution.
tightlyadverbUS /ˈtaɪtli/
in a tight or constricted manner
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
TOparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
tookverbUS /tʊk/
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading With a smile on his lips that mingled curiously chagrin and self-commiseration, he took the letter from his pocket and tore it open.
torenounUS /tɔːr/
commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column
From this reading With a smile on his lips that mingled curiously chagrin and self-commiseration, he took the letter from his pocket and tore it open.
treadverbUS /tred/
put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/
moved around an axis or center
From this reading THE CALL TO ARMS Not a sound as the key turned in the lock; not a sound as the door swung back on its carefully oiled hinges; not a sound as Larry the Bat slipped like a shadow into the blackness of the room, closing the door behind him again.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
yellowadjectiveUS /ˈjeloʊ/
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading With a tread as noiseless as a cat's, he was across the room to satisfy himself that the shutters were tightly closed; and then the single gas jet flared up, murky, yellow, illuminating the miserable, squalid room--the Sanctuary--the home of Larry the Bat.
