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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 In the tarry darkness, neither the face nor figure of the intruder could be made out, but he merely saw a darker shadow beside him standing in the sea of darkness.
Ah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah! it is you, is it?
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In one instant Sir Norman was on his feet and his hand on his sword.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Who are you?” demanded Sir Norman, drawing out his sword, and wrenching himself free from his unseen companion.
audible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps he might have thought it a ghost, but that the hand which grasped his shoulder was unmistakably of flesh, and blood, and muscle, and the breathing of its owner was distinctly audible by his side.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In the tarry darkness, neither the face nor figure of the intruder could be made out, but he merely saw a darker shadow beside him standing in the sea of darkness.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading In the tarry darkness, neither the face nor figure of the intruder could be made out, but he merely saw a darker shadow beside him standing in the sea of darkness.
bloodnounUS /blood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Perhaps he might have thought it a ghost, but that the hand which grasped his shoulder was unmistakably of flesh, and blood, and muscle, and the breathing of its owner was distinctly audible by his side.
breathing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps he might have thought it a ghost, but that the hand which grasped his shoulder was unmistakably of flesh, and blood, and muscle, and the breathing of its owner was distinctly audible by his side.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In the tarry darkness, neither the face nor figure of the intruder could be made out, but he merely saw a darker shadow beside him standing in the sea of darkness.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Perhaps he might have thought it a ghost, but that the hand which grasped his shoulder was unmistakably of flesh, and blood, and muscle, and the breathing of its owner was distinctly audible by his side.
companion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Who are you?” demanded Sir Norman, drawing out his sword, and wrenching himself free from his unseen companion.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading In the tarry darkness, neither the face nor figure of the intruder could be made out, but he merely saw a darker shadow beside him standing in the sea of darkness.
darker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the tarry darkness, neither the face nor figure of the intruder could be made out, but he merely saw a darker shadow beside him standing in the sea of darkness.
darkness
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From this reading In the tarry darkness, neither the face nor figure of the intruder could be made out, but he merely saw a darker shadow beside him standing in the sea of darkness.
demanded
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From this reading “Who are you?” demanded Sir Norman, drawing out his sword, and wrenching himself free from his unseen companion.
distinctly
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From this reading Perhaps he might have thought it a ghost, but that the hand which grasped his shoulder was unmistakably of flesh, and blood, and muscle, and the breathing of its owner was distinctly audible by his side.
drawing
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From this reading “Who are you?” demanded Sir Norman, drawing out his sword, and wrenching himself free from his unseen companion.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the tarry darkness, neither the face nor figure of the intruder could be made out, but he merely saw a darker shadow beside him standing in the sea of darkness.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one instant Sir Norman was on his feet and his hand on his sword.
figure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the tarry darkness, neither the face nor figure of the intruder could be made out, but he merely saw a darker shadow beside him standing in the sea of darkness.
flesh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps he might have thought it a ghost, but that the hand which grasped his shoulder was unmistakably of flesh, and blood, and muscle, and the breathing of its owner was distinctly audible by his side.
freeadjectiveUS /friː/
acting without enough restraint or discipline
From this reading “Who are you?” demanded Sir Norman, drawing out his sword, and wrenching himself free from his unseen companion.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading “Who are you?” demanded Sir Norman, drawing out his sword, and wrenching himself free from his unseen companion.
ghost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps he might have thought it a ghost, but that the hand which grasped his shoulder was unmistakably of flesh, and blood, and muscle, and the breathing of its owner was distinctly audible by his side.
grasped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps he might have thought it a ghost, but that the hand which grasped his shoulder was unmistakably of flesh, and blood, and muscle, and the breathing of its owner was distinctly audible by his side.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one instant Sir Norman was on his feet and his hand on his sword.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Perhaps he might have thought it a ghost, but that the hand which grasped his shoulder was unmistakably of flesh, and blood, and muscle, and the breathing of its owner was distinctly audible by his side.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the tarry darkness, neither the face nor figure of the intruder could be made out, but he merely saw a darker shadow beside him standing in the sea of darkness.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In the tarry darkness, neither the face nor figure of the intruder could be made out, but he merely saw a darker shadow beside him standing in the sea of darkness.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “Who are you?” demanded Sir Norman, drawing out his sword, and wrenching himself free from his unseen companion.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In one instant Sir Norman was on his feet and his hand on his sword.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In one instant Sir Norman was on his feet and his hand on his sword.
instant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one instant Sir Norman was on his feet and his hand on his sword.
intruder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the tarry darkness, neither the face nor figure of the intruder could be made out, but he merely saw a darker shadow beside him standing in the sea of darkness.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Ah! it is you, is it?
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Perhaps he might have thought it a ghost, but that the hand which grasped his shoulder was unmistakably of flesh, and blood, and muscle, and the breathing of its owner was distinctly audible by his side.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Perhaps he might have thought it a ghost, but that the hand which grasped his shoulder was unmistakably of flesh, and blood, and muscle, and the breathing of its owner was distinctly audible by his side.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the tarry darkness, neither the face nor figure of the intruder could be made out, but he merely saw a darker shadow beside him standing in the sea of darkness.
merely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the tarry darkness, neither the face nor figure of the intruder could be made out, but he merely saw a darker shadow beside him standing in the sea of darkness.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Perhaps he might have thought it a ghost, but that the hand which grasped his shoulder was unmistakably of flesh, and blood, and muscle, and the breathing of its owner was distinctly audible by his side.
muscle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps he might have thought it a ghost, but that the hand which grasped his shoulder was unmistakably of flesh, and blood, and muscle, and the breathing of its owner was distinctly audible by his side.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading In the tarry darkness, neither the face nor figure of the intruder could be made out, but he merely saw a darker shadow beside him standing in the sea of darkness.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading In the tarry darkness, neither the face nor figure of the intruder could be made out, but he merely saw a darker shadow beside him standing in the sea of darkness.
Norman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one instant Sir Norman was on his feet and his hand on his sword.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the tarry darkness, neither the face nor figure of the intruder could be made out, but he merely saw a darker shadow beside him standing in the sea of darkness.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In one instant Sir Norman was on his feet and his hand on his sword.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In one instant Sir Norman was on his feet and his hand on his sword.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the tarry darkness, neither the face nor figure of the intruder could be made out, but he merely saw a darker shadow beside him standing in the sea of darkness.
owner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps he might have thought it a ghost, but that the hand which grasped his shoulder was unmistakably of flesh, and blood, and muscle, and the breathing of its owner was distinctly audible by his side.
Perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps he might have thought it a ghost, but that the hand which grasped his shoulder was unmistakably of flesh, and blood, and muscle, and the breathing of its owner was distinctly audible by his side.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the tarry darkness, neither the face nor figure of the intruder could be made out, but he merely saw a darker shadow beside him standing in the sea of darkness.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the tarry darkness, neither the face nor figure of the intruder could be made out, but he merely saw a darker shadow beside him standing in the sea of darkness.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading In the tarry darkness, neither the face nor figure of the intruder could be made out, but he merely saw a darker shadow beside him standing in the sea of darkness.
shoulder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps he might have thought it a ghost, but that the hand which grasped his shoulder was unmistakably of flesh, and blood, and muscle, and the breathing of its owner was distinctly audible by his side.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps he might have thought it a ghost, but that the hand which grasped his shoulder was unmistakably of flesh, and blood, and muscle, and the breathing of its owner was distinctly audible by his side.
Sir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one instant Sir Norman was on his feet and his hand on his sword.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading In the tarry darkness, neither the face nor figure of the intruder could be made out, but he merely saw a darker shadow beside him standing in the sea of darkness.
sword
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one instant Sir Norman was on his feet and his hand on his sword.
tarry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the tarry darkness, neither the face nor figure of the intruder could be made out, but he merely saw a darker shadow beside him standing in the sea of darkness.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Perhaps he might have thought it a ghost, but that the hand which grasped his shoulder was unmistakably of flesh, and blood, and muscle, and the breathing of its owner was distinctly audible by his side.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the tarry darkness, neither the face nor figure of the intruder could be made out, but he merely saw a darker shadow beside him standing in the sea of darkness.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Perhaps he might have thought it a ghost, but that the hand which grasped his shoulder was unmistakably of flesh, and blood, and muscle, and the breathing of its owner was distinctly audible by his side.
unmistakably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps he might have thought it a ghost, but that the hand which grasped his shoulder was unmistakably of flesh, and blood, and muscle, and the breathing of its owner was distinctly audible by his side.
unseen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Who are you?” demanded Sir Norman, drawing out his sword, and wrenching himself free from his unseen companion.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In one instant Sir Norman was on his feet and his hand on his sword.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Perhaps he might have thought it a ghost, but that the hand which grasped his shoulder was unmistakably of flesh, and blood, and muscle, and the breathing of its owner was distinctly audible by his side.
WhopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading “Who are you?” demanded Sir Norman, drawing out his sword, and wrenching himself free from his unseen companion.
wrenching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Who are you?” demanded Sir Norman, drawing out his sword, and wrenching himself free from his unseen companion.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Who are you?” demanded Sir Norman, drawing out his sword, and wrenching himself free from his unseen companion.
