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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 NICK SPRINGS A SURPRISE.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading When Patsy came bounding in, after a brief explanation to the sergeant behind the desk, Nick was glad his young assistant had taken this course.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During all this excitement, Patsy was trying to find out where Chick was.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
assistant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Patsy came bounding in, after a brief explanation to the sergeant behind the desk, Nick was glad his young assistant had taken this course.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They had expected it by telephone—that having been the orders to Chick—and the lieutenant hardly ever took his eyes off the instrument on the desk before him.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading When Patsy came bounding in, after a brief explanation to the sergeant behind the desk, Nick was glad his young assistant had taken this course.
bounding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Patsy came bounding in, after a brief explanation to the sergeant behind the desk, Nick was glad his young assistant had taken this course.
brief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Patsy came bounding in, after a brief explanation to the sergeant behind the desk, Nick was glad his young assistant had taken this course.
Brockton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They had expected it by telephone—that having been the orders to Chick—and the lieutenant hardly ever took his eyes off the instrument on the desk before him.
came
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From this reading When Patsy came bounding in, after a brief explanation to the sergeant behind the desk, Nick was glad his young assistant had taken this course.
captain's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
charge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
Chick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During all this excitement, Patsy was trying to find out where Chick was.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Patsy came bounding in, after a brief explanation to the sergeant behind the desk, Nick was glad his young assistant had taken this course.
desk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had expected it by telephone—that having been the orders to Chick—and the lieutenant hardly ever took his eyes off the instrument on the desk before him.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During all this excitement, Patsy was trying to find out where Chick was.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They had expected it by telephone—that having been the orders to Chick—and the lieutenant hardly ever took his eyes off the instrument on the desk before him.
excitement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During all this excitement, Patsy was trying to find out where Chick was.
expected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had expected it by telephone—that having been the orders to Chick—and the lieutenant hardly ever took his eyes off the instrument on the desk before him.
explanation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Patsy came bounding in, after a brief explanation to the sergeant behind the desk, Nick was glad his young assistant had taken this course.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had expected it by telephone—that having been the orders to Chick—and the lieutenant hardly ever took his eyes off the instrument on the desk before him.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During all this excitement, Patsy was trying to find out where Chick was.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
glad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Patsy came bounding in, after a brief explanation to the sergeant behind the desk, Nick was glad his young assistant had taken this course.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
hardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had expected it by telephone—that having been the orders to Chick—and the lieutenant hardly ever took his eyes off the instrument on the desk before him.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading They had expected it by telephone—that having been the orders to Chick—and the lieutenant hardly ever took his eyes off the instrument on the desk before him.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They had expected it by telephone—that having been the orders to Chick—and the lieutenant hardly ever took his eyes off the instrument on the desk before him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading They had expected it by telephone—that having been the orders to Chick—and the lieutenant hardly ever took his eyes off the instrument on the desk before him.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
instrument
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had expected it by telephone—that having been the orders to Chick—and the lieutenant hardly ever took his eyes off the instrument on the desk before him.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
Lieutenant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
NICK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NICK SPRINGS A SURPRISE.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had expected it by telephone—that having been the orders to Chick—and the lieutenant hardly ever took his eyes off the instrument on the desk before him.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They had expected it by telephone—that having been the orders to Chick—and the lieutenant hardly ever took his eyes off the instrument on the desk before him.
orders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had expected it by telephone—that having been the orders to Chick—and the lieutenant hardly ever took his eyes off the instrument on the desk before him.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During all this excitement, Patsy was trying to find out where Chick was.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
Patsy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During all this excitement, Patsy was trying to find out where Chick was.
raid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
sergeant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Patsy came bounding in, after a brief explanation to the sergeant behind the desk, Nick was glad his young assistant had taken this course.
signal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
sitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
smokingnounUS /ˈsmoking/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
SPRINGS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NICK SPRINGS A SURPRISE.
squad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
SURPRISE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NICK SPRINGS A SURPRISE.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Patsy came bounding in, after a brief explanation to the sergeant behind the desk, Nick was glad his young assistant had taken this course.
telephone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had expected it by telephone—that having been the orders to Chick—and the lieutenant hardly ever took his eyes off the instrument on the desk before him.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had expected it by telephone—that having been the orders to Chick—and the lieutenant hardly ever took his eyes off the instrument on the desk before him.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading During all this excitement, Patsy was trying to find out where Chick was.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading During all this excitement, Patsy was trying to find out where Chick was.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They had expected it by telephone—that having been the orders to Chick—and the lieutenant hardly ever took his eyes off the instrument on the desk before him.
trying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During all this excitement, Patsy was trying to find out where Chick was.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading During all this excitement, Patsy was trying to find out where Chick was.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When Patsy came bounding in, after a brief explanation to the sergeant behind the desk, Nick was glad his young assistant had taken this course.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading During all this excitement, Patsy was trying to find out where Chick was.
wondering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Patsy had found Nick and Lieutenant Brockton, in charge of the squad that was to take part in the raid, sitting in the captain’s room, smoking and wondering how long it would be before Chick would give them the signal.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Patsy came bounding in, after a brief explanation to the sergeant behind the desk, Nick was glad his young assistant had taken this course.
