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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 For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
all
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From this reading The steps might lead nowhere at all.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The steps might lead nowhere at all.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
blankness
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From this reading Rather he did not wish to confront the blankness of disappointment.
boy
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From this reading It was not so much that the boy dared not descend into the secret passage.
broke
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From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
Cheviots
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From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
circular
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From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
comfortably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
confront
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From this reading Rather he did not wish to confront the blankness of disappointment.
dared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not so much that the boy dared not descend into the secret passage.
descend
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From this reading It was not so much that the boy dared not descend into the secret passage.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Rather he did not wish to confront the blankness of disappointment.
disappointmentnounUS /ˈdisappointment/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Rather he did not wish to confront the blankness of disappointment.
down
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From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
filled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
forward
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From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
green
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
haze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Rather he did not wish to confront the blankness of disappointment.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
hills
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
Hugh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not so much that the boy dared not descend into the secret passage.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
lead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The steps might lead nowhere at all.
Marshes
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From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The steps might lead nowhere at all.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not so much that the boy dared not descend into the secret passage.
narrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not so much that the boy dared not descend into the secret passage.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
nowhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The steps might lead nowhere at all.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
opening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
outside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
PASSAGE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE.
Rather
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From this reading Rather he did not wish to confront the blankness of disappointment.
ruddy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
SECRETnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE.
sedately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
setting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
sign
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
smooth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
Solway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
step
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The steps might lead nowhere at all.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Rather he did not wish to confront the blankness of disappointment.
top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
went
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
wish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rather he did not wish to confront the blankness of disappointment.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading For a full hour Hugh John sat on the top step of the stairs, or went back and forward between these and the narrow circular opening so high above his head, which was now filled with a sort of ruddy haze, the sign that the sun was setting comfortably and sedately outside, behind the smooth green hills in which the Cheviots broke down into the Solway Marshes.
