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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 It was the trick of an animal rather than of a human being, and it took the detective completely by surprise.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The fall did not break it, however, and Follansbee was obliged to kick it into the fireplace, where it struck against one of the massive andirons and was shattered, its contents mixing with the ashes.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was the trick of an animal rather than of a human being, and it took the detective completely by surprise.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
andirons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fall did not break it, however, and Follansbee was obliged to kick it into the fireplace, where it struck against one of the massive andirons and was shattered, its contents mixing with the ashes.
animal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the trick of an animal rather than of a human being, and it took the detective completely by surprise.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
ashesnounUS /ˈæʃ.ɪz/
The powdery residue left after the burning of a substance.
From this reading The fall did not break it, however, and Follansbee was obliged to kick it into the fireplace, where it struck against one of the massive andirons and was shattered, its contents mixing with the ashes.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
BALKED
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NICK IS BALKED.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading It was the trick of an animal rather than of a human being, and it took the detective completely by surprise.
bottle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
break
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fall did not break it, however, and Follansbee was obliged to kick it into the fireplace, where it struck against one of the massive andirons and was shattered, its contents mixing with the ashes.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was the trick of an animal rather than of a human being, and it took the detective completely by surprise.
Carter's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
caught
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
completely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the trick of an animal rather than of a human being, and it took the detective completely by surprise.
contents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fall did not break it, however, and Follansbee was obliged to kick it into the fireplace, where it struck against one of the massive andirons and was shattered, its contents mixing with the ashes.
detective
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The fall did not break it, however, and Follansbee was obliged to kick it into the fireplace, where it struck against one of the massive andirons and was shattered, its contents mixing with the ashes.
fall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fall did not break it, however, and Follansbee was obliged to kick it into the fireplace, where it struck against one of the massive andirons and was shattered, its contents mixing with the ashes.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Involuntarily Nick released his hold on the bottle, and it fell to the floor.
fireplace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fall did not break it, however, and Follansbee was obliged to kick it into the fireplace, where it struck against one of the massive andirons and was shattered, its contents mixing with the ashes.
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Involuntarily Nick released his hold on the bottle, and it fell to the floor.
Follansbee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fall did not break it, however, and Follansbee was obliged to kick it into the fireplace, where it struck against one of the massive andirons and was shattered, its contents mixing with the ashes.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Involuntarily Nick released his hold on the bottle, and it fell to the floor.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The fall did not break it, however, and Follansbee was obliged to kick it into the fireplace, where it struck against one of the massive andirons and was shattered, its contents mixing with the ashes.
human
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the trick of an animal rather than of a human being, and it took the detective completely by surprise.
ink
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
Involuntarily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Involuntarily Nick released his hold on the bottle, and it fell to the floor.
ISauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading NICK IS BALKED.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the trick of an animal rather than of a human being, and it took the detective completely by surprise.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The fall did not break it, however, and Follansbee was obliged to kick it into the fireplace, where it struck against one of the massive andirons and was shattered, its contents mixing with the ashes.
kick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fall did not break it, however, and Follansbee was obliged to kick it into the fireplace, where it struck against one of the massive andirons and was shattered, its contents mixing with the ashes.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
lowered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
massive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fall did not break it, however, and Follansbee was obliged to kick it into the fireplace, where it struck against one of the massive andirons and was shattered, its contents mixing with the ashes.
mixing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fall did not break it, however, and Follansbee was obliged to kick it into the fireplace, where it struck against one of the massive andirons and was shattered, its contents mixing with the ashes.
NICK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NICK IS BALKED.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The fall did not break it, however, and Follansbee was obliged to kick it into the fireplace, where it struck against one of the massive andirons and was shattered, its contents mixing with the ashes.
obliged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fall did not break it, however, and Follansbee was obliged to kick it into the fireplace, where it struck against one of the massive andirons and was shattered, its contents mixing with the ashes.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Involuntarily Nick released his hold on the bottle, and it fell to the floor.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
physician's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
pocket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
rascal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the trick of an animal rather than of a human being, and it took the detective completely by surprise.
reeledverbUS /riːld/
moved unsteadily as if about to fall
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
released
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Involuntarily Nick released his hold on the bottle, and it fell to the floor.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
sharp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
shattered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fall did not break it, however, and Follansbee was obliged to kick it into the fireplace, where it struck against one of the massive andirons and was shattered, its contents mixing with the ashes.
shot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
strucknounUS /struck/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The fall did not break it, however, and Follansbee was obliged to kick it into the fireplace, where it struck against one of the massive andirons and was shattered, its contents mixing with the ashes.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the trick of an animal rather than of a human being, and it took the detective completely by surprise.
teeth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was the trick of an animal rather than of a human being, and it took the detective completely by surprise.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was the trick of an animal rather than of a human being, and it took the detective completely by surprise.
trick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the trick of an animal rather than of a human being, and it took the detective completely by surprise.
unexpectedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading The fall did not break it, however, and Follansbee was obliged to kick it into the fireplace, where it struck against one of the massive andirons and was shattered, its contents mixing with the ashes.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading One of the little physician’s hands shot out and caught at the ink bottle which the detective was about to pocket, and as they reeled across the room together, the rascal lowered his head unexpectedly and set his sharp teeth into Nick Carter’s hand.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The fall did not break it, however, and Follansbee was obliged to kick it into the fireplace, where it struck against one of the massive andirons and was shattered, its contents mixing with the ashes.
