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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 It was only a light touch, but he no longer had the power to write.
AFFAIR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like lightning his mind flashed back to the fateful hour.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
boldly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was only a light touch, but he no longer had the power to write.
clearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He saw himself holding the pen, saw the words which Romanoff had written standing clearly out on the white surface, saw himself trying to trace the letters of his name, and then he felt the hand on his wrist.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Was it a moral impulse which had come to him, or was it some force which paralysed his senses, and made him incapable of holding the pen?
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
Count
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
Dick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
fateful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like lightning his mind flashed back to the fateful hour.
Faversham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He saw himself holding the pen, saw the words which Romanoff had written standing clearly out on the white surface, saw himself trying to trace the letters of his name, and then he felt the hand on his wrist.
flashed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like lightning his mind flashed back to the fateful hour.
force
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it a moral impulse which had come to him, or was it some force which paralysed his senses, and made him incapable of holding the pen?
GEORGE'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He saw himself holding the pen, saw the words which Romanoff had written standing clearly out on the white surface, saw himself trying to trace the letters of his name, and then he felt the hand on his wrist.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He saw himself holding the pen, saw the words which Romanoff had written standing clearly out on the white surface, saw himself trying to trace the letters of his name, and then he felt the hand on his wrist.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Like lightning his mind flashed back to the fateful hour.
holding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He saw himself holding the pen, saw the words which Romanoff had written standing clearly out on the white surface, saw himself trying to trace the letters of his name, and then he felt the hand on his wrist.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like lightning his mind flashed back to the fateful hour.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
impulsenounUS /ˈɪmpʌls/
a sudden strong desire to act
From this reading Was it a moral impulse which had come to him, or was it some force which paralysed his senses, and made him incapable of holding the pen?
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
incapable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it a moral impulse which had come to him, or was it some force which paralysed his senses, and made him incapable of holding the pen?
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was only a light touch, but he no longer had the power to write.
letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He saw himself holding the pen, saw the words which Romanoff had written standing clearly out on the white surface, saw himself trying to trace the letters of his name, and then he felt the hand on his wrist.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only a light touch, but he no longer had the power to write.
lightning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like lightning his mind flashed back to the fateful hour.
Like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like lightning his mind flashed back to the fateful hour.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only a light touch, but he no longer had the power to write.
LOVE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it a moral impulse which had come to him, or was it some force which paralysed his senses, and made him incapable of holding the pen?
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Like lightning his mind flashed back to the fateful hour.
moral
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it a moral impulse which had come to him, or was it some force which paralysed his senses, and made him incapable of holding the pen?
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He saw himself holding the pen, saw the words which Romanoff had written standing clearly out on the white surface, saw himself trying to trace the letters of his name, and then he felt the hand on his wrist.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading It was only a light touch, but he no longer had the power to write.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He saw himself holding the pen, saw the words which Romanoff had written standing clearly out on the white surface, saw himself trying to trace the letters of his name, and then he felt the hand on his wrist.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only a light touch, but he no longer had the power to write.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Was it a moral impulse which had come to him, or was it some force which paralysed his senses, and made him incapable of holding the pen?
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
paper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
paralysed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it a moral impulse which had come to him, or was it some force which paralysed his senses, and made him incapable of holding the pen?
pen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
placed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
plainlynounUS /ˈplainly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
power
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
Romanoff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He saw himself holding the pen, saw the words which Romanoff had written standing clearly out on the white surface, saw himself trying to trace the letters of his name, and then he felt the hand on his wrist.
Romanoff's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He saw himself holding the pen, saw the words which Romanoff had written standing clearly out on the white surface, saw himself trying to trace the letters of his name, and then he felt the hand on his wrist.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
sensesplural nounUS /ˈsɛnsɪz/
powers of perception and awareness
From this reading Was it a moral impulse which had come to him, or was it some force which paralysed his senses, and made him incapable of holding the pen?
sign
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
SIR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
sky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it a moral impulse which had come to him, or was it some force which paralysed his senses, and made him incapable of holding the pen?
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He saw himself holding the pen, saw the words which Romanoff had written standing clearly out on the white surface, saw himself trying to trace the letters of his name, and then he felt the hand on his wrist.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
surface
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He saw himself holding the pen, saw the words which Romanoff had written standing clearly out on the white surface, saw himself trying to trace the letters of his name, and then he felt the hand on his wrist.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He saw himself holding the pen, saw the words which Romanoff had written standing clearly out on the white surface, saw himself trying to trace the letters of his name, and then he felt the hand on his wrist.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
touch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only a light touch, but he no longer had the power to write.
trace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He saw himself holding the pen, saw the words which Romanoff had written standing clearly out on the white surface, saw himself trying to trace the letters of his name, and then he felt the hand on his wrist.
trying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He saw himself holding the pen, saw the words which Romanoff had written standing clearly out on the white surface, saw himself trying to trace the letters of his name, and then he felt the hand on his wrist.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was only a light touch, but he no longer had the power to write.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He saw himself holding the pen, saw the words which Romanoff had written standing clearly out on the white surface, saw himself trying to trace the letters of his name, and then he felt the hand on his wrist.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
wintry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He saw himself holding the pen, saw the words which Romanoff had written standing clearly out on the white surface, saw himself trying to trace the letters of his name, and then he felt the hand on his wrist.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
wrist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He saw himself holding the pen, saw the words which Romanoff had written standing clearly out on the white surface, saw himself trying to trace the letters of his name, and then he felt the hand on his wrist.
write
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only a light touch, but he no longer had the power to write.
written
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He saw himself holding the pen, saw the words which Romanoff had written standing clearly out on the white surface, saw himself trying to trace the letters of his name, and then he felt the hand on his wrist.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR GEORGE'S LOVE AFFAIR The great house stood out boldly against the wintry sky, and Dick Faversham could plainly see the window of the room where, years before, he had taken the pen to sign the paper which would have placed him in Count Romanoff's power.
