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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 Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
air
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From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
Alec's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
bark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading What made you think I would be up?"
bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
didn't
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From this reading "I didn't think," he said.
dog's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
doorstep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
expectverbUS /ɪkˈspekt/
to think that something will happen
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
fingers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
footsteps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
frost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
hills
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
hurried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading What made you think I would be up?"
imprisoned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
instant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
Janet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
lamp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
lamplight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
larches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
late
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What made you think I would be up?"
March
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
moonless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
peered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
sewing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
sharplynounUS /ˈsharply/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
steadiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
stiff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
stillness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading What made you think I would be up?"
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
touched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What made you think I would be up?"
Very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
welcome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What made you think I would be up?"
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading What made you think I would be up?"
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
you're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
You've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
