AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading OUT OF THE DARKNESS A moment later, Jimmie Dale stepped forward through the vestibule.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Twenty-five minutes was so little that for an instant the temptation was strong upon him to sacrifice, rather than any of those precious minutes, the Magpie instead!
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Twenty-five minutes was so little that for an instant the temptation was strong upon him to sacrifice, rather than any of those precious minutes, the Magpie instead!
appearverbUS /əˈpɪr/
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The half hour, the maximum length of time before the Magpie would appear, as he had estimated it when out there under the stoop with the Tocsin, had dwindled now to perhaps twenty minutes, twenty-five at the outside.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was quite calm now; a sort of cold, merciless precision in every movement succeeding the riot of turbulent emotions that had possessed him as he had entered the house.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The half hour, the maximum length of time before the Magpie would appear, as he had estimated it when out there under the stoop with the Tocsin, had dwindled now to perhaps twenty minutes, twenty-five at the outside.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The half hour, the maximum length of time before the Magpie would appear, as he had estimated it when out there under the stoop with the Tocsin, had dwindled now to perhaps twenty minutes, twenty-five at the outside.
calmverbUS /kɑːm/
make calm or still
From this reading He was quite calm now; a sort of cold, merciless precision in every movement succeeding the riot of turbulent emotions that had possessed him as he had entered the house.
coldadjectiveUS /koʊld/
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading He was quite calm now; a sort of cold, merciless precision in every movement succeeding the riot of turbulent emotions that had possessed him as he had entered the house.
DalenounUS /deɪl/
an open river valley (in a hilly area)
From this reading OUT OF THE DARKNESS A moment later, Jimmie Dale stepped forward through the vestibule.
DARKNESSnounUS /ˈdɑːrknəs/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading OUT OF THE DARKNESS A moment later, Jimmie Dale stepped forward through the vestibule.
dwindledverbUS /ˈdwɪndəld/
past form of “dwindle” — become smaller or lose substance
From this reading The half hour, the maximum length of time before the Magpie would appear, as he had estimated it when out there under the stoop with the Tocsin, had dwindled now to perhaps twenty minutes, twenty-five at the outside.
emotionsnounUS /ɪˈmoʊʃənz/
plural of “emotion” — any strong feeling
From this reading He was quite calm now; a sort of cold, merciless precision in every movement succeeding the riot of turbulent emotions that had possessed him as he had entered the house.
enteredverbUS /ˈentərd/
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading He was quite calm now; a sort of cold, merciless precision in every movement succeeding the riot of turbulent emotions that had possessed him as he had entered the house.
estimatedverbUS /ˈestəmeɪtəd/
past form of “estimate” — judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time)
From this reading The half hour, the maximum length of time before the Magpie would appear, as he had estimated it when out there under the stoop with the Tocsin, had dwindled now to perhaps twenty minutes, twenty-five at the outside.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading He was quite calm now; a sort of cold, merciless precision in every movement succeeding the riot of turbulent emotions that had possessed him as he had entered the house.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Twenty-five minutes was so little that for an instant the temptation was strong upon him to sacrifice, rather than any of those precious minutes, the Magpie instead!
forwardadverbUS /ˈfɔːrwərd/
at or to or toward the front
From this reading OUT OF THE DARKNESS A moment later, Jimmie Dale stepped forward through the vestibule.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was quite calm now; a sort of cold, merciless precision in every movement succeeding the riot of turbulent emotions that had possessed him as he had entered the house.
halfadjectiveUS /hæf/
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The half hour, the maximum length of time before the Magpie would appear, as he had estimated it when out there under the stoop with the Tocsin, had dwindled now to perhaps twenty minutes, twenty-five at the outside.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was quite calm now; a sort of cold, merciless precision in every movement succeeding the riot of turbulent emotions that had possessed him as he had entered the house.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was quite calm now; a sort of cold, merciless precision in every movement succeeding the riot of turbulent emotions that had possessed him as he had entered the house.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The half hour, the maximum length of time before the Magpie would appear, as he had estimated it when out there under the stoop with the Tocsin, had dwindled now to perhaps twenty minutes, twenty-five at the outside.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading He was quite calm now; a sort of cold, merciless precision in every movement succeeding the riot of turbulent emotions that had possessed him as he had entered the house.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was quite calm now; a sort of cold, merciless precision in every movement succeeding the riot of turbulent emotions that had possessed him as he had entered the house.
instantnounUS /ˈɪnstənt/
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading Twenty-five minutes was so little that for an instant the temptation was strong upon him to sacrifice, rather than any of those precious minutes, the Magpie instead!
insteadadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsted/
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Twenty-five minutes was so little that for an instant the temptation was strong upon him to sacrifice, rather than any of those precious minutes, the Magpie instead!
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The half hour, the maximum length of time before the Magpie would appear, as he had estimated it when out there under the stoop with the Tocsin, had dwindled now to perhaps twenty minutes, twenty-five at the outside.
Jimmie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OUT OF THE DARKNESS A moment later, Jimmie Dale stepped forward through the vestibule.
lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading OUT OF THE DARKNESS A moment later, Jimmie Dale stepped forward through the vestibule.
lengthnounUS /leŋkθ/
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading The half hour, the maximum length of time before the Magpie would appear, as he had estimated it when out there under the stoop with the Tocsin, had dwindled now to perhaps twenty minutes, twenty-five at the outside.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Twenty-five minutes was so little that for an instant the temptation was strong upon him to sacrifice, rather than any of those precious minutes, the Magpie instead!
MagpienounUS /ˈmæɡpaɪ/
long-tailed black-and-white crow that utters a raucous chattering call
From this reading The half hour, the maximum length of time before the Magpie would appear, as he had estimated it when out there under the stoop with the Tocsin, had dwindled now to perhaps twenty minutes, twenty-five at the outside.
maximumnounUS /ˈmæksəməm/
the largest possible quantity
From this reading The half hour, the maximum length of time before the Magpie would appear, as he had estimated it when out there under the stoop with the Tocsin, had dwindled now to perhaps twenty minutes, twenty-five at the outside.
mercilessadjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrsələs/
having or showing no mercy
From this reading He was quite calm now; a sort of cold, merciless precision in every movement succeeding the riot of turbulent emotions that had possessed him as he had entered the house.
minutesnounUS /ˈmɪnəts/
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading The half hour, the maximum length of time before the Magpie would appear, as he had estimated it when out there under the stoop with the Tocsin, had dwindled now to perhaps twenty minutes, twenty-five at the outside.
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading OUT OF THE DARKNESS A moment later, Jimmie Dale stepped forward through the vestibule.
movementnounUS /ˈmuːvmənt/
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading He was quite calm now; a sort of cold, merciless precision in every movement succeeding the riot of turbulent emotions that had possessed him as he had entered the house.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He was quite calm now; a sort of cold, merciless precision in every movement succeeding the riot of turbulent emotions that had possessed him as he had entered the house.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading OUT OF THE DARKNESS A moment later, Jimmie Dale stepped forward through the vestibule.
OUTadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading OUT OF THE DARKNESS A moment later, Jimmie Dale stepped forward through the vestibule.
outsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading The half hour, the maximum length of time before the Magpie would appear, as he had estimated it when out there under the stoop with the Tocsin, had dwindled now to perhaps twenty minutes, twenty-five at the outside.
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading The half hour, the maximum length of time before the Magpie would appear, as he had estimated it when out there under the stoop with the Tocsin, had dwindled now to perhaps twenty minutes, twenty-five at the outside.
possessedadjectiveUS /pəˈzest/
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading He was quite calm now; a sort of cold, merciless precision in every movement succeeding the riot of turbulent emotions that had possessed him as he had entered the house.
preciousadjectiveUS /ˈpreʃəs/
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading Twenty-five minutes was so little that for an instant the temptation was strong upon him to sacrifice, rather than any of those precious minutes, the Magpie instead!
precisionnounUS /priˈsɪʒən/
the quality of being reproducible in amount or performance
From this reading He was quite calm now; a sort of cold, merciless precision in every movement succeeding the riot of turbulent emotions that had possessed him as he had entered the house.
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He was quite calm now; a sort of cold, merciless precision in every movement succeeding the riot of turbulent emotions that had possessed him as he had entered the house.
ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/
on the contrary
From this reading Twenty-five minutes was so little that for an instant the temptation was strong upon him to sacrifice, rather than any of those precious minutes, the Magpie instead!
riotnounUS /ˈraɪət/
a public act of violence by an unruly mob
From this reading He was quite calm now; a sort of cold, merciless precision in every movement succeeding the riot of turbulent emotions that had possessed him as he had entered the house.
sacrificenounUS /ˈsækrəfaɪs/
the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.
From this reading Twenty-five minutes was so little that for an instant the temptation was strong upon him to sacrifice, rather than any of those precious minutes, the Magpie instead!
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Twenty-five minutes was so little that for an instant the temptation was strong upon him to sacrifice, rather than any of those precious minutes, the Magpie instead!
sortnounUS /sɔːrt/
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading He was quite calm now; a sort of cold, merciless precision in every movement succeeding the riot of turbulent emotions that had possessed him as he had entered the house.
steppedverbUS /stept/
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading OUT OF THE DARKNESS A moment later, Jimmie Dale stepped forward through the vestibule.
stoopverbUS /stuːp/
bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading The half hour, the maximum length of time before the Magpie would appear, as he had estimated it when out there under the stoop with the Tocsin, had dwindled now to perhaps twenty minutes, twenty-five at the outside.
strongadjectiveUS /strɔːŋ/
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Twenty-five minutes was so little that for an instant the temptation was strong upon him to sacrifice, rather than any of those precious minutes, the Magpie instead!
succeedingadjectiveUS /səkˈsiːdɪŋ/
coming after or following
From this reading He was quite calm now; a sort of cold, merciless precision in every movement succeeding the riot of turbulent emotions that had possessed him as he had entered the house.
temptationnounUS /temˈteɪʃən/
something that seduces or has the quality to seduce
From this reading Twenty-five minutes was so little that for an instant the temptation was strong upon him to sacrifice, rather than any of those precious minutes, the Magpie instead!
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Twenty-five minutes was so little that for an instant the temptation was strong upon him to sacrifice, rather than any of those precious minutes, the Magpie instead!
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was quite calm now; a sort of cold, merciless precision in every movement succeeding the riot of turbulent emotions that had possessed him as he had entered the house.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OUT OF THE DARKNESS A moment later, Jimmie Dale stepped forward through the vestibule.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading The half hour, the maximum length of time before the Magpie would appear, as he had estimated it when out there under the stoop with the Tocsin, had dwindled now to perhaps twenty minutes, twenty-five at the outside.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Twenty-five minutes was so little that for an instant the temptation was strong upon him to sacrifice, rather than any of those precious minutes, the Magpie instead!
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading OUT OF THE DARKNESS A moment later, Jimmie Dale stepped forward through the vestibule.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The half hour, the maximum length of time before the Magpie would appear, as he had estimated it when out there under the stoop with the Tocsin, had dwindled now to perhaps twenty minutes, twenty-five at the outside.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The half hour, the maximum length of time before the Magpie would appear, as he had estimated it when out there under the stoop with the Tocsin, had dwindled now to perhaps twenty minutes, twenty-five at the outside.
Tocsinnoun
the sound of an alarm (usually a bell)
From this reading The half hour, the maximum length of time before the Magpie would appear, as he had estimated it when out there under the stoop with the Tocsin, had dwindled now to perhaps twenty minutes, twenty-five at the outside.
turbulentadjectiveUS /ˈtɜːrbjələnt/
characterized by unrest or disorder or insubordination
From this reading He was quite calm now; a sort of cold, merciless precision in every movement succeeding the riot of turbulent emotions that had possessed him as he had entered the house.
twentynounUS /ˈtwenti/
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading The half hour, the maximum length of time before the Magpie would appear, as he had estimated it when out there under the stoop with the Tocsin, had dwindled now to perhaps twenty minutes, twenty-five at the outside.
twenty-fiveadjectiveUS /ˈtwentifaɪv/
being five more than twenty
From this reading The half hour, the maximum length of time before the Magpie would appear, as he had estimated it when out there under the stoop with the Tocsin, had dwindled now to perhaps twenty minutes, twenty-five at the outside.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The half hour, the maximum length of time before the Magpie would appear, as he had estimated it when out there under the stoop with the Tocsin, had dwindled now to perhaps twenty minutes, twenty-five at the outside.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Twenty-five minutes was so little that for an instant the temptation was strong upon him to sacrifice, rather than any of those precious minutes, the Magpie instead!
vestibulenounUS /ˈvestɪbjuːl/
a large entrance or reception room or area
From this reading OUT OF THE DARKNESS A moment later, Jimmie Dale stepped forward through the vestibule.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was quite calm now; a sort of cold, merciless precision in every movement succeeding the riot of turbulent emotions that had possessed him as he had entered the house.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The half hour, the maximum length of time before the Magpie would appear, as he had estimated it when out there under the stoop with the Tocsin, had dwindled now to perhaps twenty minutes, twenty-five at the outside.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The half hour, the maximum length of time before the Magpie would appear, as he had estimated it when out there under the stoop with the Tocsin, had dwindled now to perhaps twenty minutes, twenty-five at the outside.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The half hour, the maximum length of time before the Magpie would appear, as he had estimated it when out there under the stoop with the Tocsin, had dwindled now to perhaps twenty minutes, twenty-five at the outside.
