adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Brent had no intention of keeping the promise which Balcom had extracted from him by a species of moral duress that afternoon.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "Well, Flint," he greeted, in a hushed tone, "what was it you asked to see me about?"
admittedverbUS /ədˈmɪtɪd/
inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading It was late in the night that he himself secretly admitted to the house a tall, dark-haired stranger who evidently called by appointment.
afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Brent had no intention of keeping the promise which Balcom had extracted from him by a species of moral duress that afternoon.
alreadyadverbUS /ɔːlˈredi/
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading In fact, already he had gone too far in his plans for restitution--or was it self-preservation?--to turn back.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Flint replied not a word, but impressively tapped a bundle which he carried under his arm and began to undo the cord which bound it.
appointmentnounUS /əˈpɔɪntmənt/
the act of putting a person into a non-elective position
From this reading It was late in the night that he himself secretly admitted to the house a tall, dark-haired stranger who evidently called by appointment.
armnounUS /ɑːrm/
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading Flint replied not a word, but impressively tapped a bundle which he carried under his arm and began to undo the cord which bound it.
askedverbUS /æskt/
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Well, Flint," he greeted, in a hushed tone, "what was it you asked to see me about?"
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading In fact, already he had gone too far in his plans for restitution--or was it self-preservation?--to turn back.
Balcom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brent had no intention of keeping the promise which Balcom had extracted from him by a species of moral duress that afternoon.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Flint replied not a word, but impressively tapped a bundle which he carried under his arm and began to undo the cord which bound it.
boundadjectiveUS /baʊnd/
confined by bonds
From this reading Flint replied not a word, but impressively tapped a bundle which he carried under his arm and began to undo the cord which bound it.
BrentnounUS /brent/
small dark geese that breed in the north and migrate southward
From this reading Brent had no intention of keeping the promise which Balcom had extracted from him by a species of moral duress that afternoon.
bundlenounUS /ˈbʌndəl/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading Flint replied not a word, but impressively tapped a bundle which he carried under his arm and began to undo the cord which bound it.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Flint replied not a word, but impressively tapped a bundle which he carried under his arm and began to undo the cord which bound it.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Brent had no intention of keeping the promise which Balcom had extracted from him by a species of moral duress that afternoon.
calledverbUS /kɔːld/
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading It was late in the night that he himself secretly admitted to the house a tall, dark-haired stranger who evidently called by appointment.
carriedverbUS /ˈkærid/
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Flint replied not a word, but impressively tapped a bundle which he carried under his arm and began to undo the cord which bound it.
cordnounUS /kɔːrd/
a line made of twisted fibers or threads
From this reading Flint replied not a word, but impressively tapped a bundle which he carried under his arm and began to undo the cord which bound it.
dark-hairedadjective
having hair of a dark color
From this reading It was late in the night that he himself secretly admitted to the house a tall, dark-haired stranger who evidently called by appointment.
duressnounUS /ˈdʊres/
compulsory force or threat
From this reading Brent had no intention of keeping the promise which Balcom had extracted from him by a species of moral duress that afternoon.
evidentlyadverbUS /ˈevədəntli/
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading It was late in the night that he himself secretly admitted to the house a tall, dark-haired stranger who evidently called by appointment.
extractedverbUS /ekˈstræktɪd/
past form of “extract” — remove, usually with some force or effort; also used in an abstract sense
From this reading Brent had no intention of keeping the promise which Balcom had extracted from him by a species of moral duress that afternoon.
factnounUS /fækt/
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading In fact, already he had gone too far in his plans for restitution--or was it self-preservation?--to turn back.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading In fact, already he had gone too far in his plans for restitution--or was it self-preservation?--to turn back.
FlintnounUS /flɪnt/
a hard kind of stone; a form of silica more opaque than chalcedony
From this reading "Well, Flint," he greeted, in a hushed tone, "what was it you asked to see me about?"
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In fact, already he had gone too far in his plans for restitution--or was it self-preservation?--to turn back.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Brent had no intention of keeping the promise which Balcom had extracted from him by a species of moral duress that afternoon.
goneadjectiveUS /ɡɔːn/
destroyed or killed
From this reading In fact, already he had gone too far in his plans for restitution--or was it self-preservation?--to turn back.
greetedverbUS /ˈɡriːtəd/
past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading "Well, Flint," he greeted, in a hushed tone, "what was it you asked to see me about?"
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Brent had no intention of keeping the promise which Balcom had extracted from him by a species of moral duress that afternoon.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In fact, already he had gone too far in his plans for restitution--or was it self-preservation?--to turn back.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Brent had no intention of keeping the promise which Balcom had extracted from him by a species of moral duress that afternoon.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was late in the night that he himself secretly admitted to the house a tall, dark-haired stranger who evidently called by appointment.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In fact, already he had gone too far in his plans for restitution--or was it self-preservation?--to turn back.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was late in the night that he himself secretly admitted to the house a tall, dark-haired stranger who evidently called by appointment.
hushedadjectiveUS /hʌʃt/
in a softened tone
From this reading "Well, Flint," he greeted, in a hushed tone, "what was it you asked to see me about?"
impressivelyadverbUS /ˌɪmˈpresɪvli/
in an impressive manner
From this reading Flint replied not a word, but impressively tapped a bundle which he carried under his arm and began to undo the cord which bound it.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In fact, already he had gone too far in his plans for restitution--or was it self-preservation?--to turn back.
intentionnounUS /ˌɪnˈtentʃən/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Brent had no intention of keeping the promise which Balcom had extracted from him by a species of moral duress that afternoon.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In fact, already he had gone too far in his plans for restitution--or was it self-preservation?--to turn back.
keepingnounUS /ˈkiːpɪŋ/
conformity or harmony
From this reading Brent had no intention of keeping the promise which Balcom had extracted from him by a species of moral duress that afternoon.
lateadjectiveUS /leɪt/
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading It was late in the night that he himself secretly admitted to the house a tall, dark-haired stranger who evidently called by appointment.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Well, Flint," he greeted, in a hushed tone, "what was it you asked to see me about?"
moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/
concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
From this reading Brent had no intention of keeping the promise which Balcom had extracted from him by a species of moral duress that afternoon.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was late in the night that he himself secretly admitted to the house a tall, dark-haired stranger who evidently called by appointment.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Brent had no intention of keeping the promise which Balcom had extracted from him by a species of moral duress that afternoon.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Flint replied not a word, but impressively tapped a bundle which he carried under his arm and began to undo the cord which bound it.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Brent had no intention of keeping the promise which Balcom had extracted from him by a species of moral duress that afternoon.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In fact, already he had gone too far in his plans for restitution--or was it self-preservation?--to turn back.
plansnounUS /plænz/
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading In fact, already he had gone too far in his plans for restitution--or was it self-preservation?--to turn back.
promiseverbUS /ˈprɑːməs/
make a promise or commitment
From this reading Brent had no intention of keeping the promise which Balcom had extracted from him by a species of moral duress that afternoon.
repliedverbUS /rɪˈplaɪd/
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading Flint replied not a word, but impressively tapped a bundle which he carried under his arm and began to undo the cord which bound it.
restitutionnounUS /ˌrestɪˈtuːʃən/
a sum of money paid in compensation for loss or injury
From this reading In fact, already he had gone too far in his plans for restitution--or was it self-preservation?--to turn back.
secretlyadverbUS /ˈsiːkrɪtli/
in secrecy; not openly
From this reading It was late in the night that he himself secretly admitted to the house a tall, dark-haired stranger who evidently called by appointment.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "Well, Flint," he greeted, in a hushed tone, "what was it you asked to see me about?"
self-preservationnoun
preservation of yourself from harm; a natural or instinctive tendency
From this reading In fact, already he had gone too far in his plans for restitution--or was it self-preservation?--to turn back.
speciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/
(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
From this reading Brent had no intention of keeping the promise which Balcom had extracted from him by a species of moral duress that afternoon.
strangernounUS /ˈstreɪndʒər/
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading It was late in the night that he himself secretly admitted to the house a tall, dark-haired stranger who evidently called by appointment.
talladjectiveUS /tɔːl/
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading It was late in the night that he himself secretly admitted to the house a tall, dark-haired stranger who evidently called by appointment.
tappedadjectiveUS /tæpt/
in a condition for letting out liquid drawn out as by piercing or drawing a plug
From this reading Flint replied not a word, but impressively tapped a bundle which he carried under his arm and began to undo the cord which bound it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Brent had no intention of keeping the promise which Balcom had extracted from him by a species of moral duress that afternoon.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Brent had no intention of keeping the promise which Balcom had extracted from him by a species of moral duress that afternoon.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In fact, already he had gone too far in his plans for restitution--or was it self-preservation?--to turn back.
tonenounUS /toʊn/
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading "Well, Flint," he greeted, in a hushed tone, "what was it you asked to see me about?"
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading In fact, already he had gone too far in his plans for restitution--or was it self-preservation?--to turn back.
turnverbUS /tɜːrn/
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading In fact, already he had gone too far in his plans for restitution--or was it self-preservation?--to turn back.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Flint replied not a word, but impressively tapped a bundle which he carried under his arm and began to undo the cord which bound it.
undoverbUS /ənˈduː/
cancel, annul, or reverse an action or its effect
From this reading Flint replied not a word, but impressively tapped a bundle which he carried under his arm and began to undo the cord which bound it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In fact, already he had gone too far in his plans for restitution--or was it self-preservation?--to turn back.
WelladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Well, Flint," he greeted, in a hushed tone, "what was it you asked to see me about?"
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "Well, Flint," he greeted, in a hushed tone, "what was it you asked to see me about?"
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Brent had no intention of keeping the promise which Balcom had extracted from him by a species of moral duress that afternoon.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It was late in the night that he himself secretly admitted to the house a tall, dark-haired stranger who evidently called by appointment.
wordnounUS /wɜːrd/
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Flint replied not a word, but impressively tapped a bundle which he carried under his arm and began to undo the cord which bound it.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Well, Flint," he greeted, in a hushed tone, "what was it you asked to see me about?"
