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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 She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Circumstances had compassed it all; she could have done naught to prevent it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.
ascended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.
balusters
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From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.
believed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.
bosom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.
breath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.
Circumstances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Circumstances had compassed it all; she could have done naught to prevent it.
clinging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.
compassed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Circumstances had compassed it all; she could have done naught to prevent it.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Circumstances had compassed it all; she could have done naught to prevent it.
dancing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.
deafening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Circumstances had compassed it all; she could have done naught to prevent it.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.
dreamnounUS /driːm/
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.
dripped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.
ears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.
feel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.
filled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.
foot-passengers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.
fumbled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.
gathered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Night had long gathered in when Hélène returned.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Night had long gathered in when Hélène returned.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Circumstances had compassed it all; she could have done naught to prevent it.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.
hurrying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.
Hélène
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Night had long gathered in when Hélène returned.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Night had long gathered in when Hélène returned.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Circumstances had compassed it all; she could have done naught to prevent it.
jostling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.
joy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.
key
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.
kisses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Night had long gathered in when Hélène returned.
naught
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Circumstances had compassed it all; she could have done naught to prevent it.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.
Night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Night had long gathered in when Hélène returned.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.
outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.
prevent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Circumstances had compassed it all; she could have done naught to prevent it.
puddles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.
rain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.
reflections
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.
regain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.
remorse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Night had long gathered in when Hélène returned.
rush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.
seconds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.
showered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.
sounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.
staircase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.
street-lamps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stood for a few seconds outside her door to regain her breath; the deafening rush of the rain still sounded in her ears; she still seemed to feel the jostling of hurrying foot-passengers, and to see the reflections from the street-lamps dancing in the puddles.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.
umbrella
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.
walking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Night had long gathered in when Hélène returned.
whilstconjunctionUS /waɪlst/
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading From her umbrella the water dripped on step after step, whilst clinging to the balusters she ascended the staircase.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading She was walking in a dream, filled with the surprise of the kisses that had been showered upon her; and as she fumbled for her key she believed that her bosom felt neither remorse nor joy.
