Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
advancing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.
blows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
bottom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.
caught
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.
criednounUS /cried/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.
descentnounUS /dɪˈsent/
An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.
From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.
dodged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.
driveway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.
ear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.
fairly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.
gained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.
glance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.
Godd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
hundreds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
imperiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.
kick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.
kicks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.
Landing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.
leap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
leaped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.
lifetime
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
lounging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
man's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.
Peter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.
reaching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.
rolled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
run
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.
seat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.
seldom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.
shoot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.
shot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.
slightly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.
snorting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.
stair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.
stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
started
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
stop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.
thunder-storm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.
touched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.
trousers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.
twelve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
veranda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.
