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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 A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The door blew open and I asked your little girl in.”
blew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door blew open and I asked your little girl in.”
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
called
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From this reading “Hello, partner,” called Vic.
cat
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From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.
company
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I got company, you see.
convulsively
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From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.
crossed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.
ears
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From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.
effect
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From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
entrance
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From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.
fall
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From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
FirstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.
fist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door blew open and I asked your little girl in.”
got
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From this reading “I got company, you see.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
heel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
Hello
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Hello, partner,” called Vic.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I got company, you see.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
lightness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The door blew open and I asked your little girl in.”
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The door blew open and I asked your little girl in.”
outer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.
padded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
partner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Hello, partner,” called Vic.
peculiar
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From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
pricked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.
pudgy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.
rescuer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I got company, you see.
sense
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From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
softness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
thumb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.
touching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.
Vic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Hello, partner,” called Vic.
Vic's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
weight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
wolf-dog
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I got company, you see.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading The door blew open and I asked your little girl in.”