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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 After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
able
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The table, covered with my books, lay between me and the door, but for the first few minutes after the lights were out the darkness was so intense that nothing could be discerned at all.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading I stood in the corner of the room with my back against the wall, and my hand on the cold rifle-barrel.
all
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From this reading The table, covered with my books, lay between me and the door, but for the first few minutes after the lights were out the darkness was so intense that nothing could be discerned at all.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I stood in the corner of the room with my back against the wall, and my hand on the cold rifle-barrel.
approach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The table, covered with my books, lay between me and the door, but for the first few minutes after the lights were out the darkness was so intense that nothing could be discerned at all.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I stood in the corner of the room with my back against the wall, and my hand on the cold rifle-barrel.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The table, covered with my books, lay between me and the door, but for the first few minutes after the lights were out the darkness was so intense that nothing could be discerned at all.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, very gradually, the outline of the room became visible, and the framework of the windows began to shape itself dimly before my eyes.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Then, very gradually, the outline of the room became visible, and the framework of the windows began to shape itself dimly before my eyes.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then, very gradually, the outline of the room became visible, and the framework of the windows began to shape itself dimly before my eyes.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Nor was I mistaken, for there presently came to my ears the peculiar hollow sound of a canoe landing and being carefully dragged up over the rocks.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The table, covered with my books, lay between me and the door, but for the first few minutes after the lights were out the darkness was so intense that nothing could be discerned at all.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading The table, covered with my books, lay between me and the door, but for the first few minutes after the lights were out the darkness was so intense that nothing could be discerned at all.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The table, covered with my books, lay between me and the door, but for the first few minutes after the lights were out the darkness was so intense that nothing could be discerned at all.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
canoe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor was I mistaken, for there presently came to my ears the peculiar hollow sound of a canoe landing and being carefully dragged up over the rocks.
carefully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor was I mistaken, for there presently came to my ears the peculiar hollow sound of a canoe landing and being carefully dragged up over the rocks.
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I stood in the corner of the room with my back against the wall, and my hand on the cold rifle-barrel.
corner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I stood in the corner of the room with my back against the wall, and my hand on the cold rifle-barrel.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The table, covered with my books, lay between me and the door, but for the first few minutes after the lights were out the darkness was so intense that nothing could be discerned at all.
covered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table, covered with my books, lay between me and the door, but for the first few minutes after the lights were out the darkness was so intense that nothing could be discerned at all.
darkness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table, covered with my books, lay between me and the door, but for the first few minutes after the lights were out the darkness was so intense that nothing could be discerned at all.
dimly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, very gradually, the outline of the room became visible, and the framework of the windows began to shape itself dimly before my eyes.
discerned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table, covered with my books, lay between me and the door, but for the first few minutes after the lights were out the darkness was so intense that nothing could be discerned at all.
distinct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table, covered with my books, lay between me and the door, but for the first few minutes after the lights were out the darkness was so intense that nothing could be discerned at all.
dragged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor was I mistaken, for there presently came to my ears the peculiar hollow sound of a canoe landing and being carefully dragged up over the rocks.
ears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor was I mistaken, for there presently came to my ears the peculiar hollow sound of a canoe landing and being carefully dragged up over the rocks.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, very gradually, the outline of the room became visible, and the framework of the windows began to shape itself dimly before my eyes.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table, covered with my books, lay between me and the door, but for the first few minutes after the lights were out the darkness was so intense that nothing could be discerned at all.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The table, covered with my books, lay between me and the door, but for the first few minutes after the lights were out the darkness was so intense that nothing could be discerned at all.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The table, covered with my books, lay between me and the door, but for the first few minutes after the lights were out the darkness was so intense that nothing could be discerned at all.
framework
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, very gradually, the outline of the room became visible, and the framework of the windows began to shape itself dimly before my eyes.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
gather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
glad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
gradually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, very gradually, the outline of the room became visible, and the framework of the windows began to shape itself dimly before my eyes.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I stood in the corner of the room with my back against the wall, and my hand on the cold rifle-barrel.
hollow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor was I mistaken, for there presently came to my ears the peculiar hollow sound of a canoe landing and being carefully dragged up over the rocks.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I stood in the corner of the room with my back against the wall, and my hand on the cold rifle-barrel.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I stood in the corner of the room with my back against the wall, and my hand on the cold rifle-barrel.
Indians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
intense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table, covered with my books, lay between me and the door, but for the first few minutes after the lights were out the darkness was so intense that nothing could be discerned at all.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Then, very gradually, the outline of the room became visible, and the framework of the windows began to shape itself dimly before my eyes.
landing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor was I mistaken, for there presently came to my ears the peculiar hollow sound of a canoe landing and being carefully dragged up over the rocks.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table, covered with my books, lay between me and the door, but for the first few minutes after the lights were out the darkness was so intense that nothing could be discerned at all.
lights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table, covered with my books, lay between me and the door, but for the first few minutes after the lights were out the darkness was so intense that nothing could be discerned at all.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The table, covered with my books, lay between me and the door, but for the first few minutes after the lights were out the darkness was so intense that nothing could be discerned at all.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table, covered with my books, lay between me and the door, but for the first few minutes after the lights were out the darkness was so intense that nothing could be discerned at all.
mistaken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor was I mistaken, for there presently came to my ears the peculiar hollow sound of a canoe landing and being carefully dragged up over the rocks.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I stood in the corner of the room with my back against the wall, and my hand on the cold rifle-barrel.
NorconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Nor was I mistaken, for there presently came to my ears the peculiar hollow sound of a canoe landing and being carefully dragged up over the rocks.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The table, covered with my books, lay between me and the door, but for the first few minutes after the lights were out the darkness was so intense that nothing could be discerned at all.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I stood in the corner of the room with my back against the wall, and my hand on the cold rifle-barrel.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I stood in the corner of the room with my back against the wall, and my hand on the cold rifle-barrel.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table, covered with my books, lay between me and the door, but for the first few minutes after the lights were out the darkness was so intense that nothing could be discerned at all.
outline
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, very gradually, the outline of the room became visible, and the framework of the windows began to shape itself dimly before my eyes.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Nor was I mistaken, for there presently came to my ears the peculiar hollow sound of a canoe landing and being carefully dragged up over the rocks.
peculiar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor was I mistaken, for there presently came to my ears the peculiar hollow sound of a canoe landing and being carefully dragged up over the rocks.
plans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
presently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor was I mistaken, for there presently came to my ears the peculiar hollow sound of a canoe landing and being carefully dragged up over the rocks.
rifle-barrel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I stood in the corner of the room with my back against the wall, and my hand on the cold rifle-barrel.
rocks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor was I mistaken, for there presently came to my ears the peculiar hollow sound of a canoe landing and being carefully dragged up over the rocks.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I stood in the corner of the room with my back against the wall, and my hand on the cold rifle-barrel.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
shape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, very gradually, the outline of the room became visible, and the framework of the windows began to shape itself dimly before my eyes.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The table, covered with my books, lay between me and the door, but for the first few minutes after the lights were out the darkness was so intense that nothing could be discerned at all.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor was I mistaken, for there presently came to my ears the peculiar hollow sound of a canoe landing and being carefully dragged up over the rocks.
specially
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I stood in the corner of the room with my back against the wall, and my hand on the cold rifle-barrel.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table, covered with my books, lay between me and the door, but for the first few minutes after the lights were out the darkness was so intense that nothing could be discerned at all.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The table, covered with my books, lay between me and the door, but for the first few minutes after the lights were out the darkness was so intense that nothing could be discerned at all.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I stood in the corner of the room with my back against the wall, and my hand on the cold rifle-barrel.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, very gradually, the outline of the room became visible, and the framework of the windows began to shape itself dimly before my eyes.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor was I mistaken, for there presently came to my ears the peculiar hollow sound of a canoe landing and being carefully dragged up over the rocks.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Then, very gradually, the outline of the room became visible, and the framework of the windows began to shape itself dimly before my eyes.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
upper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
verandah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a few minutes the door (its upper half of glass), and the two windows that looked out upon the front verandah, became specially distinct; and I was glad that this was so, because if the Indians came up to the house I should be able to see their approach, and gather something of their plans.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, very gradually, the outline of the room became visible, and the framework of the windows began to shape itself dimly before my eyes.
visible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, very gradually, the outline of the room became visible, and the framework of the windows began to shape itself dimly before my eyes.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I stood in the corner of the room with my back against the wall, and my hand on the cold rifle-barrel.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The table, covered with my books, lay between me and the door, but for the first few minutes after the lights were out the darkness was so intense that nothing could be discerned at all.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The table, covered with my books, lay between me and the door, but for the first few minutes after the lights were out the darkness was so intense that nothing could be discerned at all.
windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, very gradually, the outline of the room became visible, and the framework of the windows began to shape itself dimly before my eyes.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I stood in the corner of the room with my back against the wall, and my hand on the cold rifle-barrel.
