adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was built so tall that it was but little lower than the low upper story of the gaol, and it faced my window at so short a distance that I could hear the long, whistling breath of the wretch who happened to occupy it.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading TIRED of dicing against myself, and of the books that Rolfe had sent me, I betook myself to the gaol window, and, leaning against the bars, looked out in search of entertainment.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading A little to one side was the whipping post: a woman had been whipped that morning, and her cries had tainted the air even more effectually than had the decayed matter with which certain small devils had pelted the runaway in the pillory.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading TIRED of dicing against myself, and of the books that Rolfe had sent me, I betook myself to the gaol window, and, leaning against the bars, looked out in search of entertainment.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was built so tall that it was but little lower than the low upper story of the gaol, and it faced my window at so short a distance that I could hear the long, whistling breath of the wretch who happened to occupy it.
barsnounUS /bɑːrz/
gymnastic apparatus consisting of two parallel wooden rods supported on uprights
From this reading TIRED of dicing against myself, and of the books that Rolfe had sent me, I betook myself to the gaol window, and, leaning against the bars, looked out in search of entertainment.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A little to one side was the whipping post: a woman had been whipped that morning, and her cries had tainted the air even more effectually than had the decayed matter with which certain small devils had pelted the runaway in the pillory.
betook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TIRED of dicing against myself, and of the books that Rolfe had sent me, I betook myself to the gaol window, and, leaning against the bars, looked out in search of entertainment.
bloodnounUS /blʌd/
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading It was not a pleasant sound; neither was a livid face, new branded on the cheek with a great R, and with a trickle of dark blood from the mutilated ears staining the board in which the head was immovably fixed, a pleasant sight.
boardnounUS /bɔːrd/
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading It was not a pleasant sound; neither was a livid face, new branded on the cheek with a great R, and with a trickle of dark blood from the mutilated ears staining the board in which the head was immovably fixed, a pleasant sight.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading TIRED of dicing against myself, and of the books that Rolfe had sent me, I betook myself to the gaol window, and, leaning against the bars, looked out in search of entertainment.
brandedadjectiveUS /ˈbrændɪd/
(of goods and merchandise) marked or labeled by a distinctive word or symbol indicating exclusive rights
From this reading It was not a pleasant sound; neither was a livid face, new branded on the cheek with a great R, and with a trickle of dark blood from the mutilated ears staining the board in which the head was immovably fixed, a pleasant sight.
breathnounUS /breθ/
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading It was built so tall that it was but little lower than the low upper story of the gaol, and it faced my window at so short a distance that I could hear the long, whistling breath of the wretch who happened to occupy it.
builtadjectiveUS /bɪlt/
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading It was built so tall that it was but little lower than the low upper story of the gaol, and it faced my window at so short a distance that I could hear the long, whistling breath of the wretch who happened to occupy it.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was built so tall that it was but little lower than the low upper story of the gaol, and it faced my window at so short a distance that I could hear the long, whistling breath of the wretch who happened to occupy it.
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading A little to one side was the whipping post: a woman had been whipped that morning, and her cries had tainted the air even more effectually than had the decayed matter with which certain small devils had pelted the runaway in the pillory.
cheeknounUS /tʃiːk/
either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading It was not a pleasant sound; neither was a livid face, new branded on the cheek with a great R, and with a trickle of dark blood from the mutilated ears staining the board in which the head was immovably fixed, a pleasant sight.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was built so tall that it was but little lower than the low upper story of the gaol, and it faced my window at so short a distance that I could hear the long, whistling breath of the wretch who happened to occupy it.
criesnounUS /kraɪz/
plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading A little to one side was the whipping post: a woman had been whipped that morning, and her cries had tainted the air even more effectually than had the decayed matter with which certain small devils had pelted the runaway in the pillory.
darknounUS /dɑːrk/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading It was not a pleasant sound; neither was a livid face, new branded on the cheek with a great R, and with a trickle of dark blood from the mutilated ears staining the board in which the head was immovably fixed, a pleasant sight.
decayedadjectiveUS /dəˈkeɪd/
damaged by decay; hence unsound and useless
From this reading A little to one side was the whipping post: a woman had been whipped that morning, and her cries had tainted the air even more effectually than had the decayed matter with which certain small devils had pelted the runaway in the pillory.
devilsnounUS /ˈdevəlz/
plural of “devil” — (Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell
From this reading A little to one side was the whipping post: a woman had been whipped that morning, and her cries had tainted the air even more effectually than had the decayed matter with which certain small devils had pelted the runaway in the pillory.
dicingverbUS /ˈdaɪsɪŋ/
-ing form of “dice” — cut into cubes
From this reading TIRED of dicing against myself, and of the books that Rolfe had sent me, I betook myself to the gaol window, and, leaning against the bars, looked out in search of entertainment.
distancenounUS /ˈdɪstəns/
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading It was built so tall that it was but little lower than the low upper story of the gaol, and it faced my window at so short a distance that I could hear the long, whistling breath of the wretch who happened to occupy it.
earsnounUS /ɪrz/
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading It was not a pleasant sound; neither was a livid face, new branded on the cheek with a great R, and with a trickle of dark blood from the mutilated ears staining the board in which the head was immovably fixed, a pleasant sight.
effectuallyadverb
in an effectual manner
From this reading A little to one side was the whipping post: a woman had been whipped that morning, and her cries had tainted the air even more effectually than had the decayed matter with which certain small devils had pelted the runaway in the pillory.
entertainmentnounUS /ˌentərˈteɪnmənt/
an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention
From this reading TIRED of dicing against myself, and of the books that Rolfe had sent me, I betook myself to the gaol window, and, leaning against the bars, looked out in search of entertainment.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading A little to one side was the whipping post: a woman had been whipped that morning, and her cries had tainted the air even more effectually than had the decayed matter with which certain small devils had pelted the runaway in the pillory.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading It was not a pleasant sound; neither was a livid face, new branded on the cheek with a great R, and with a trickle of dark blood from the mutilated ears staining the board in which the head was immovably fixed, a pleasant sight.
facedadjectiveUS /feɪst/
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading It was built so tall that it was but little lower than the low upper story of the gaol, and it faced my window at so short a distance that I could hear the long, whistling breath of the wretch who happened to occupy it.
fixedadjectiveUS /fɪkst/
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading It was not a pleasant sound; neither was a livid face, new branded on the cheek with a great R, and with a trickle of dark blood from the mutilated ears staining the board in which the head was immovably fixed, a pleasant sight.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was not a pleasant sound; neither was a livid face, new branded on the cheek with a great R, and with a trickle of dark blood from the mutilated ears staining the board in which the head was immovably fixed, a pleasant sight.
gaolnoun
a correctional institution used to detain persons who are in the lawful custody of the government (either accused persons awaiting trial or convicted persons serving a sentence)
From this reading TIRED of dicing against myself, and of the books that Rolfe had sent me, I betook myself to the gaol window, and, leaning against the bars, looked out in search of entertainment.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It was not a pleasant sound; neither was a livid face, new branded on the cheek with a great R, and with a trickle of dark blood from the mutilated ears staining the board in which the head was immovably fixed, a pleasant sight.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading TIRED of dicing against myself, and of the books that Rolfe had sent me, I betook myself to the gaol window, and, leaning against the bars, looked out in search of entertainment.
happenedverbUS /ˈhæpənd/
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading It was built so tall that it was but little lower than the low upper story of the gaol, and it faced my window at so short a distance that I could hear the long, whistling breath of the wretch who happened to occupy it.
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 It was not a pleasant sound; neither was a livid face, new branded on the cheek with a great R, and with a trickle of dark blood from the mutilated ears staining the board in which the head was immovably fixed, a pleasant sight.
hearverbUS /hiːr/
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading It was built so tall that it was but little lower than the low upper story of the gaol, and it faced my window at so short a distance that I could hear the long, whistling breath of the wretch who happened to occupy it.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A little to one side was the whipping post: a woman had been whipped that morning, and her cries had tainted the air even more effectually than had the decayed matter with which certain small devils had pelted the runaway in the pillory.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading TIRED of dicing against myself, and of the books that Rolfe had sent me, I betook myself to the gaol window, and, leaning against the bars, looked out in search of entertainment.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The nearest if not the merriest thing the prospect had to offer was the pillory.
immovablyadverb
so as to be incapable of moving
From this reading It was not a pleasant sound; neither was a livid face, new branded on the cheek with a great R, and with a trickle of dark blood from the mutilated ears staining the board in which the head was immovably fixed, a pleasant sight.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading TIRED of dicing against myself, and of the books that Rolfe had sent me, I betook myself to the gaol window, and, leaning against the bars, looked out in search of entertainment.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was built so tall that it was but little lower than the low upper story of the gaol, and it faced my window at so short a distance that I could hear the long, whistling breath of the wretch who happened to occupy it.
leaningadjectiveUS /ˈliːnɪŋ/
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading TIRED of dicing against myself, and of the books that Rolfe had sent me, I betook myself to the gaol window, and, leaning against the bars, looked out in search of entertainment.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was built so tall that it was but little lower than the low upper story of the gaol, and it faced my window at so short a distance that I could hear the long, whistling breath of the wretch who happened to occupy it.
lividadjectiveUS /ˈlɪvɪd/
anemic looking from illness or emotion
From this reading It was not a pleasant sound; neither was a livid face, new branded on the cheek with a great R, and with a trickle of dark blood from the mutilated ears staining the board in which the head was immovably fixed, a pleasant sight.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading It was built so tall that it was but little lower than the low upper story of the gaol, and it faced my window at so short a distance that I could hear the long, whistling breath of the wretch who happened to occupy it.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading TIRED of dicing against myself, and of the books that Rolfe had sent me, I betook myself to the gaol window, and, leaning against the bars, looked out in search of entertainment.
lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It was built so tall that it was but little lower than the low upper story of the gaol, and it faced my window at so short a distance that I could hear the long, whistling breath of the wretch who happened to occupy it.
lowerverbUS /ˈloʊər/
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading It was built so tall that it was but little lower than the low upper story of the gaol, and it faced my window at so short a distance that I could hear the long, whistling breath of the wretch who happened to occupy it.
matternounUS /ˈmætər/
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading A little to one side was the whipping post: a woman had been whipped that morning, and her cries had tainted the air even more effectually than had the decayed matter with which certain small devils had pelted the runaway in the pillory.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading TIRED of dicing against myself, and of the books that Rolfe had sent me, I betook myself to the gaol window, and, leaning against the bars, looked out in search of entertainment.
merriest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nearest if not the merriest thing the prospect had to offer was the pillory.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A little to one side was the whipping post: a woman had been whipped that morning, and her cries had tainted the air even more effectually than had the decayed matter with which certain small devils had pelted the runaway in the pillory.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading A little to one side was the whipping post: a woman had been whipped that morning, and her cries had tainted the air even more effectually than had the decayed matter with which certain small devils had pelted the runaway in the pillory.
mutilatedadjectiveUS /ˈmjuːtəleɪtəd/
having a part of the body crippled or disabled
From this reading It was not a pleasant sound; neither was a livid face, new branded on the cheek with a great R, and with a trickle of dark blood from the mutilated ears staining the board in which the head was immovably fixed, a pleasant sight.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading It was built so tall that it was but little lower than the low upper story of the gaol, and it faced my window at so short a distance that I could hear the long, whistling breath of the wretch who happened to occupy it.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading TIRED of dicing against myself, and of the books that Rolfe had sent me, I betook myself to the gaol window, and, leaning against the bars, looked out in search of entertainment.
nearestadverbUS /ˈnɪrəst/
(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance
From this reading The nearest if not the merriest thing the prospect had to offer was the pillory.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading It was not a pleasant sound; neither was a livid face, new branded on the cheek with a great R, and with a trickle of dark blood from the mutilated ears staining the board in which the head was immovably fixed, a pleasant sight.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading It was not a pleasant sound; neither was a livid face, new branded on the cheek with a great R, and with a trickle of dark blood from the mutilated ears staining the board in which the head was immovably fixed, a pleasant sight.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The nearest if not the merriest thing the prospect had to offer was the pillory.
occupyverbUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪ/
keep busy with
From this reading It was built so tall that it was but little lower than the low upper story of the gaol, and it faced my window at so short a distance that I could hear the long, whistling breath of the wretch who happened to occupy it.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading TIRED of dicing against myself, and of the books that Rolfe had sent me, I betook myself to the gaol window, and, leaning against the bars, looked out in search of entertainment.
offerverbUS /ˈɔːfər/
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading The nearest if not the merriest thing the prospect had to offer was the pillory.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was not a pleasant sound; neither was a livid face, new branded on the cheek with a great R, and with a trickle of dark blood from the mutilated ears staining the board in which the head was immovably fixed, a pleasant sight.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A little to one side was the whipping post: a woman had been whipped that morning, and her cries had tainted the air even more effectually than had the decayed matter with which certain small devils had pelted the runaway in the pillory.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading TIRED of dicing against myself, and of the books that Rolfe had sent me, I betook myself to the gaol window, and, leaning against the bars, looked out in search of entertainment.
peltedverbUS /ˈpeltɪd/
past form of “pelt” — cast, hurl, or throw repeatedly with some missile
From this reading A little to one side was the whipping post: a woman had been whipped that morning, and her cries had tainted the air even more effectually than had the decayed matter with which certain small devils had pelted the runaway in the pillory.
pilloryverbUS /ˈpɪləri/
expose to ridicule or public scorn
From this reading The nearest if not the merriest thing the prospect had to offer was the pillory.
pleasantadjectiveUS /ˈplezənt/
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading It was not a pleasant sound; neither was a livid face, new branded on the cheek with a great R, and with a trickle of dark blood from the mutilated ears staining the board in which the head was immovably fixed, a pleasant sight.
postverbUS /poʊst/
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading A little to one side was the whipping post: a woman had been whipped that morning, and her cries had tainted the air even more effectually than had the decayed matter with which certain small devils had pelted the runaway in the pillory.
prospectnounUS /ˈprɑːspekt/
the possibility of future success
From this reading The nearest if not the merriest thing the prospect had to offer was the pillory.
RnounUS /ɑːr/
a unit of radiation exposure; the dose of ionizing radiation that will produce 1 electrostatic unit of electricity in 1 cc of dry air
From this reading It was not a pleasant sound; neither was a livid face, new branded on the cheek with a great R, and with a trickle of dark blood from the mutilated ears staining the board in which the head was immovably fixed, a pleasant sight.
Rolfe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TIRED of dicing against myself, and of the books that Rolfe had sent me, I betook myself to the gaol window, and, leaning against the bars, looked out in search of entertainment.
runawaynounUS /ˈrʌnəweɪ/
an easy victory
From this reading A little to one side was the whipping post: a woman had been whipped that morning, and her cries had tainted the air even more effectually than had the decayed matter with which certain small devils had pelted the runaway in the pillory.
searchverbUS /sɜːrtʃ/
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading TIRED of dicing against myself, and of the books that Rolfe had sent me, I betook myself to the gaol window, and, leaning against the bars, looked out in search of entertainment.
sentnounUS /sent/
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading TIRED of dicing against myself, and of the books that Rolfe had sent me, I betook myself to the gaol window, and, leaning against the bars, looked out in search of entertainment.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading It was built so tall that it was but little lower than the low upper story of the gaol, and it faced my window at so short a distance that I could hear the long, whistling breath of the wretch who happened to occupy it.
sidenounUS /saɪd/
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading A little to one side was the whipping post: a woman had been whipped that morning, and her cries had tainted the air even more effectually than had the decayed matter with which certain small devils had pelted the runaway in the pillory.
sightnounUS /saɪt/
an instance of visual perception
From this reading It was not a pleasant sound; neither was a livid face, new branded on the cheek with a great R, and with a trickle of dark blood from the mutilated ears staining the board in which the head was immovably fixed, a pleasant sight.
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A little to one side was the whipping post: a woman had been whipped that morning, and her cries had tainted the air even more effectually than had the decayed matter with which certain small devils had pelted the runaway in the pillory.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was built so tall that it was but little lower than the low upper story of the gaol, and it faced my window at so short a distance that I could hear the long, whistling breath of the wretch who happened to occupy it.
soundnounUS /saʊnd/
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading It was not a pleasant sound; neither was a livid face, new branded on the cheek with a great R, and with a trickle of dark blood from the mutilated ears staining the board in which the head was immovably fixed, a pleasant sight.
stainingnounUS /ˈsteɪnɪŋ/
(histology) the use of a dye to color specimens for microscopic study
From this reading It was not a pleasant sound; neither was a livid face, new branded on the cheek with a great R, and with a trickle of dark blood from the mutilated ears staining the board in which the head was immovably fixed, a pleasant sight.
storynounUS /ˈstɔːri/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading It was built so tall that it was but little lower than the low upper story of the gaol, and it faced my window at so short a distance that I could hear the long, whistling breath of the wretch who happened to occupy it.
taintedadjectiveUS /ˈteɪntɪd/
touched by rot or decay
From this reading A little to one side was the whipping post: a woman had been whipped that morning, and her cries had tainted the air even more effectually than had the decayed matter with which certain small devils had pelted the runaway in the pillory.
talladjectiveUS /tɔːl/
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading It was built so tall that it was but little lower than the low upper story of the gaol, and it faced my window at so short a distance that I could hear the long, whistling breath of the wretch who happened to occupy it.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was built so tall that it was but little lower than the low upper story of the gaol, and it faced my window at so short a distance that I could hear the long, whistling breath of the wretch who happened to occupy it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading TIRED of dicing against myself, and of the books that Rolfe had sent me, I betook myself to the gaol window, and, leaning against the bars, looked out in search of entertainment.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TIRED of dicing against myself, and of the books that Rolfe had sent me, I betook myself to the gaol window, and, leaning against the bars, looked out in search of entertainment.
thingnounUS /θɪŋ/
a special situation
From this reading The nearest if not the merriest thing the prospect had to offer was the pillory.
TIREDadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading TIRED of dicing against myself, and of the books that Rolfe had sent me, I betook myself to the gaol window, and, leaning against the bars, looked out in search of entertainment.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading TIRED of dicing against myself, and of the books that Rolfe had sent me, I betook myself to the gaol window, and, leaning against the bars, looked out in search of entertainment.
trickleverbUS /ˈtrɪkəl/
run or flow slowly, as in drops or in an unsteady stream
From this reading It was not a pleasant sound; neither was a livid face, new branded on the cheek with a great R, and with a trickle of dark blood from the mutilated ears staining the board in which the head was immovably fixed, a pleasant sight.
upperadjectiveUS /ˈʌpər/
the topmost one of two
From this reading It was built so tall that it was but little lower than the low upper story of the gaol, and it faced my window at so short a distance that I could hear the long, whistling breath of the wretch who happened to occupy it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The nearest if not the merriest thing the prospect had to offer was the pillory.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was not a pleasant sound; neither was a livid face, new branded on the cheek with a great R, and with a trickle of dark blood from the mutilated ears staining the board in which the head was immovably fixed, a pleasant sight.
whippedverbUS /wɪpt/
inflected form of “whip” — beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading A little to one side was the whipping post: a woman had been whipped that morning, and her cries had tainted the air even more effectually than had the decayed matter with which certain small devils had pelted the runaway in the pillory.
whippingnounUS /ˈwɪpɪŋ/
beating with a whip or strap or rope as a form of punishment
From this reading A little to one side was the whipping post: a woman had been whipped that morning, and her cries had tainted the air even more effectually than had the decayed matter with which certain small devils had pelted the runaway in the pillory.
whistlingnounUS /ˈwɪslɪŋ/
the sound made by something moving rapidly or by steam coming out of a small aperture
From this reading It was built so tall that it was but little lower than the low upper story of the gaol, and it faced my window at so short a distance that I could hear the long, whistling breath of the wretch who happened to occupy it.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It was built so tall that it was but little lower than the low upper story of the gaol, and it faced my window at so short a distance that I could hear the long, whistling breath of the wretch who happened to occupy it.
windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading TIRED of dicing against myself, and of the books that Rolfe had sent me, I betook myself to the gaol window, and, leaning against the bars, looked out in search of entertainment.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was not a pleasant sound; neither was a livid face, new branded on the cheek with a great R, and with a trickle of dark blood from the mutilated ears staining the board in which the head was immovably fixed, a pleasant sight.
womannounUS /ˈwʊmən/
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading A little to one side was the whipping post: a woman had been whipped that morning, and her cries had tainted the air even more effectually than had the decayed matter with which certain small devils had pelted the runaway in the pillory.
wretchnounUS /retʃ/
performs some wicked deed
From this reading It was built so tall that it was but little lower than the low upper story of the gaol, and it faced my window at so short a distance that I could hear the long, whistling breath of the wretch who happened to occupy it.
