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all
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From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.
asleep
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From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
came
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From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.
clutches
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From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
days
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From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.
designated
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From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.
drilling
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From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.
enough
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From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
exhausted
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From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.
fall
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From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.
happened
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From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
hour
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From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.
lights
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From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.
MARK'S
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From this reading MARK'S MYSTERIOUS VISITOR.
meaning
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From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.
merciless
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From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.
more
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From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
most
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From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
MYSTERIOUSadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/
difficult to explain or understand
From this reading MARK'S MYSTERIOUS VISITOR.
neednounUS /need/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.
officer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It happened so on this night.
out
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From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.
plebes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.
PointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.
practicing
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From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.
round
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From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.
scant
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From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It happened so on this night.
sound
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From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
sounded
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From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
sunrise
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From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.
tac
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From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.
tactical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.
taps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.
tattoo
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From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It happened so on this night.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.
unfortunate
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From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
unfortunates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
unlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/
except if; if not
From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.
usually
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From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
VISITOR
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From this reading MARK'S MYSTERIOUS VISITOR.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
watchful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.
West
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From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.
yearling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.