adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
angernounUS /ˈæŋɡər/
a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “What are you doing with that man?
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
bringverbUS /brɪŋ/
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Why did you bring him here?”
brokenadjectiveUS /ˈbroʊkən/
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
challengeverbUS /ˈtʃæləndʒ/
take exception to
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
CharlesnounUS /tʃɑːrlz/
King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)
From this reading Sir Charles exclaimed with indignant impatience, and turning, strode quickly to the head of the steps.
cornernounUS /ˈkɔːrnər/
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
demandedverbUS /dɪˈmændəd/
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading “What does this mean?” he demanded.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Why did you bring him here?”
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “What does this mean?” he demanded.
doingverbUS /ˈduːɪŋ/
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading “What are you doing with that man?
draggingadjectiveUS /ˈdræɡɪŋ/
marked by a painfully slow and effortful manner
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
exclaimedverbUS /ɪkˈskleɪmd/
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading Sir Charles exclaimed with indignant impatience, and turning, strode quickly to the head of the steps.
figurenounUS /ˈfɪɡjər/
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
foughtverbUS /fɔːt/
inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
freeverbUS /friː/
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
gravelnounUS /ˈɡrævəl/
rock fragments and pebbles
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “What does this mean?” he demanded.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Sir Charles exclaimed with indignant impatience, and turning, strode quickly to the head of the steps.
hereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Why did you bring him here?”
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Why did you bring him here?”
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
hushverbUS /hʌʃ/
become quiet or still; fall silent
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
impatiencenounUS /ˌɪmˈpeɪʃəns/
a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay
From this reading Sir Charles exclaimed with indignant impatience, and turning, strode quickly to the head of the steps.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
indignantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪɡnənt/
angered at something unjust or wrong
From this reading Sir Charles exclaimed with indignant impatience, and turning, strode quickly to the head of the steps.
instantnounUS /ˈɪnstənt/
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading “What are you doing with that man?
meanverbUS /miːn/
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading “What does this mean?” he demanded.
men'snounUS /menz/
a public toilet for men
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
noisenounUS /nɔɪz/
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
quicklyadverbUS /ˈkwɪkli/
with speed
From this reading Sir Charles exclaimed with indignant impatience, and turning, strode quickly to the head of the steps.
raisedadjectiveUS /reɪzd/
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
runningadjectiveUS /ˈrʌnɪŋ/
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
sentriesnounUS /ˈsentriz/
plural of “sentry” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
sharpadjectiveUS /ʃɑːrp/
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
SirnounUS /sɜːr/
term of address for a man
From this reading Sir Charles exclaimed with indignant impatience, and turning, strode quickly to the head of the steps.
slightnounUS /slaɪt/
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
soundnounUS /saʊnd/
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
stepsnounUS /steps/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Sir Charles exclaimed with indignant impatience, and turning, strode quickly to the head of the steps.
strodeverbUS /stroʊd/
inflected form of “stride” — walk with long steps
From this reading Sir Charles exclaimed with indignant impatience, and turning, strode quickly to the head of the steps.
struggleverbUS /ˈstrʌɡəl/
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “What does this mean?” he demanded.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
turningnounUS /ˈtɜːrnɪŋ/
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading Sir Charles exclaimed with indignant impatience, and turning, strode quickly to the head of the steps.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
voicesnounUS /ˈvɔɪsəz/
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “What does this mean?” he demanded.
WhynounUS /waɪ/
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Why did you bring him here?”
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Sir Charles exclaimed with indignant impatience, and turning, strode quickly to the head of the steps.
wrestledverbUS /ˈresəld/
past form of “wrestle” — combat to overcome an opposing tendency or force
From this reading But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp challenge, and the sound of men’s voices raised in anger; there was the noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that fought and wrestled to be free.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “What are you doing with that man?
