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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The town was blotted out, and fifty feet ahead of the hissing nose of the launch Alan could see only a gray wall.
ahead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The town was blotted out, and fifty feet ahead of the hissing nose of the launch Alan could see only a gray wall.
Alan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The town was blotted out, and fifty feet ahead of the hissing nose of the launch Alan could see only a gray wall.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The wind had died away, but the rain continued, torrential in its downpour, and the mountains grumbled with dying thunder.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was like a huge gargoyle at the wheel, and in the face of impenetrable gloom he opened speed until the _Norden_ was shooting with the swiftness of a torpedo through the sea.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind had died away, but the rain continued, torrential in its downpour, and the mountains grumbled with dying thunder.
beard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Water ran in streams from his rubber slicker, and Olaf’s great beard was dripping like a wet rag.
blotted
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From this reading The town was blotted out, and fifty feet ahead of the hissing nose of the launch Alan could see only a gray wall.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The wind had died away, but the rain continued, torrential in its downpour, and the mountains grumbled with dying thunder.
cabin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In Olaf’s cabin Alan had listened to the folly of expecting to find Mary Standish.
continuednounUS /ˈcontinued/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The wind had died away, but the rain continued, torrential in its downpour, and the mountains grumbled with dying thunder.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The town was blotted out, and fifty feet ahead of the hissing nose of the launch Alan could see only a gray wall.
died
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind had died away, but the rain continued, torrential in its downpour, and the mountains grumbled with dying thunder.
downpour
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From this reading The wind had died away, but the rain continued, torrential in its downpour, and the mountains grumbled with dying thunder.
dripping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Water ran in streams from his rubber slicker, and Olaf’s great beard was dripping like a wet rag.
dying
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From this reading The wind had died away, but the rain continued, torrential in its downpour, and the mountains grumbled with dying thunder.
expectingverbUS /ɪkˈspektɪŋ/
thinking that somebody or something will arrive
From this reading In Olaf’s cabin Alan had listened to the folly of expecting to find Mary Standish.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was like a huge gargoyle at the wheel, and in the face of impenetrable gloom he opened speed until the _Norden_ was shooting with the swiftness of a torpedo through the sea.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The town was blotted out, and fifty feet ahead of the hissing nose of the launch Alan could see only a gray wall.
fifty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The town was blotted out, and fifty feet ahead of the hissing nose of the launch Alan could see only a gray wall.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In Olaf’s cabin Alan had listened to the folly of expecting to find Mary Standish.
follynounUS /ˈfɑːli/
an action or decision that shows a lack of good judgment
From this reading In Olaf’s cabin Alan had listened to the folly of expecting to find Mary Standish.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Water ran in streams from his rubber slicker, and Olaf’s great beard was dripping like a wet rag.
gargoyle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was like a huge gargoyle at the wheel, and in the face of impenetrable gloom he opened speed until the _Norden_ was shooting with the swiftness of a torpedo through the sea.
gloom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was like a huge gargoyle at the wheel, and in the face of impenetrable gloom he opened speed until the _Norden_ was shooting with the swiftness of a torpedo through the sea.
gray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The town was blotted out, and fifty feet ahead of the hissing nose of the launch Alan could see only a gray wall.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Water ran in streams from his rubber slicker, and Olaf’s great beard was dripping like a wet rag.
grumbled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind had died away, but the rain continued, torrential in its downpour, and the mountains grumbled with dying thunder.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The wind had died away, but the rain continued, torrential in its downpour, and the mountains grumbled with dying thunder.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was like a huge gargoyle at the wheel, and in the face of impenetrable gloom he opened speed until the _Norden_ was shooting with the swiftness of a torpedo through the sea.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Water ran in streams from his rubber slicker, and Olaf’s great beard was dripping like a wet rag.
hissing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The town was blotted out, and fifty feet ahead of the hissing nose of the launch Alan could see only a gray wall.
huge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was like a huge gargoyle at the wheel, and in the face of impenetrable gloom he opened speed until the _Norden_ was shooting with the swiftness of a torpedo through the sea.
impenetrable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was like a huge gargoyle at the wheel, and in the face of impenetrable gloom he opened speed until the _Norden_ was shooting with the swiftness of a torpedo through the sea.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The wind had died away, but the rain continued, torrential in its downpour, and the mountains grumbled with dying thunder.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The wind had died away, but the rain continued, torrential in its downpour, and the mountains grumbled with dying thunder.
launch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The town was blotted out, and fifty feet ahead of the hissing nose of the launch Alan could see only a gray wall.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Water ran in streams from his rubber slicker, and Olaf’s great beard was dripping like a wet rag.
listened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In Olaf’s cabin Alan had listened to the folly of expecting to find Mary Standish.
Mary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In Olaf’s cabin Alan had listened to the folly of expecting to find Mary Standish.
mountains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind had died away, but the rain continued, torrential in its downpour, and the mountains grumbled with dying thunder.
Norden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was like a huge gargoyle at the wheel, and in the face of impenetrable gloom he opened speed until the _Norden_ was shooting with the swiftness of a torpedo through the sea.
nose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The town was blotted out, and fifty feet ahead of the hissing nose of the launch Alan could see only a gray wall.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The town was blotted out, and fifty feet ahead of the hissing nose of the launch Alan could see only a gray wall.
Olaf's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Water ran in streams from his rubber slicker, and Olaf’s great beard was dripping like a wet rag.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The town was blotted out, and fifty feet ahead of the hissing nose of the launch Alan could see only a gray wall.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was like a huge gargoyle at the wheel, and in the face of impenetrable gloom he opened speed until the _Norden_ was shooting with the swiftness of a torpedo through the sea.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The town was blotted out, and fifty feet ahead of the hissing nose of the launch Alan could see only a gray wall.
rag
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Water ran in streams from his rubber slicker, and Olaf’s great beard was dripping like a wet rag.
rain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind had died away, but the rain continued, torrential in its downpour, and the mountains grumbled with dying thunder.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Water ran in streams from his rubber slicker, and Olaf’s great beard was dripping like a wet rag.
rubber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Water ran in streams from his rubber slicker, and Olaf’s great beard was dripping like a wet rag.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was like a huge gargoyle at the wheel, and in the face of impenetrable gloom he opened speed until the _Norden_ was shooting with the swiftness of a torpedo through the sea.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The town was blotted out, and fifty feet ahead of the hissing nose of the launch Alan could see only a gray wall.
shootingnounUS /ˈshooting/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He was like a huge gargoyle at the wheel, and in the face of impenetrable gloom he opened speed until the _Norden_ was shooting with the swiftness of a torpedo through the sea.
slicker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Water ran in streams from his rubber slicker, and Olaf’s great beard was dripping like a wet rag.
speed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was like a huge gargoyle at the wheel, and in the face of impenetrable gloom he opened speed until the _Norden_ was shooting with the swiftness of a torpedo through the sea.
Standish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In Olaf’s cabin Alan had listened to the folly of expecting to find Mary Standish.
streams
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Water ran in streams from his rubber slicker, and Olaf’s great beard was dripping like a wet rag.
swiftness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was like a huge gargoyle at the wheel, and in the face of impenetrable gloom he opened speed until the _Norden_ was shooting with the swiftness of a torpedo through the sea.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The wind had died away, but the rain continued, torrential in its downpour, and the mountains grumbled with dying thunder.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He was like a huge gargoyle at the wheel, and in the face of impenetrable gloom he opened speed until the _Norden_ was shooting with the swiftness of a torpedo through the sea.
thundernounUS /ˈthunder/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The wind had died away, but the rain continued, torrential in its downpour, and the mountains grumbled with dying thunder.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In Olaf’s cabin Alan had listened to the folly of expecting to find Mary Standish.
torpedo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was like a huge gargoyle at the wheel, and in the face of impenetrable gloom he opened speed until the _Norden_ was shooting with the swiftness of a torpedo through the sea.
torrential
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind had died away, but the rain continued, torrential in its downpour, and the mountains grumbled with dying thunder.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The town was blotted out, and fifty feet ahead of the hissing nose of the launch Alan could see only a gray wall.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He was like a huge gargoyle at the wheel, and in the face of impenetrable gloom he opened speed until the _Norden_ was shooting with the swiftness of a torpedo through the sea.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The town was blotted out, and fifty feet ahead of the hissing nose of the launch Alan could see only a gray wall.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The town was blotted out, and fifty feet ahead of the hissing nose of the launch Alan could see only a gray wall.
Water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Water ran in streams from his rubber slicker, and Olaf’s great beard was dripping like a wet rag.
wet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Water ran in streams from his rubber slicker, and Olaf’s great beard was dripping like a wet rag.
wheel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was like a huge gargoyle at the wheel, and in the face of impenetrable gloom he opened speed until the _Norden_ was shooting with the swiftness of a torpedo through the sea.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The wind had died away, but the rain continued, torrential in its downpour, and the mountains grumbled with dying thunder.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The wind had died away, but the rain continued, torrential in its downpour, and the mountains grumbled with dying thunder.
