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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 Even if they recognized the plane, his whole plan would be knocked into a cocked hat should that telltale streamer of light point him out to the enemy planes above who must now be looking sharp.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Even if they recognized the plane, his whole plan would be knocked into a cocked hat should that telltale streamer of light point him out to the enemy planes above who must now be looking sharp.
alarming
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From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It would be just his luck to be spotted by the searchlight crew and held in its beam.
angle
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From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
anti-aircraft
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From this reading Would they see the ringed cockades on his wings, or would eager anti-aircraft gunners start blazing away?
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Would they see the ringed cockades on his wings, or would eager anti-aircraft gunners start blazing away?
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It would be just his luck to be spotted by the searchlight crew and held in its beam.
beam
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From this reading It would be just his luck to be spotted by the searchlight crew and held in its beam.
blazing
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From this reading Would they see the ringed cockades on his wings, or would eager anti-aircraft gunners start blazing away?
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It would be just his luck to be spotted by the searchlight crew and held in its beam.
Camel
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From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
cockades
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From this reading Would they see the ringed cockades on his wings, or would eager anti-aircraft gunners start blazing away?
cocked
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From this reading Even if they recognized the plane, his whole plan would be knocked into a cocked hat should that telltale streamer of light point him out to the enemy planes above who must now be looking sharp.
crewnounUS /crew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It would be just his luck to be spotted by the searchlight crew and held in its beam.
eager
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From this reading Would they see the ringed cockades on his wings, or would eager anti-aircraft gunners start blazing away?
enemy
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From this reading Even if they recognized the plane, his whole plan would be knocked into a cocked hat should that telltale streamer of light point him out to the enemy planes above who must now be looking sharp.
EvennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even if they recognized the plane, his whole plan would be knocked into a cocked hat should that telltale streamer of light point him out to the enemy planes above who must now be looking sharp.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
gave
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From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
gunners
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From this reading Would they see the ringed cockades on his wings, or would eager anti-aircraft gunners start blazing away?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
hat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if they recognized the plane, his whole plan would be knocked into a cocked hat should that telltale streamer of light point him out to the enemy planes above who must now be looking sharp.
held
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From this reading It would be just his luck to be spotted by the searchlight crew and held in its beam.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If so, would they recognize him?
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
holding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If so, would they recognize him?
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It would be just his luck to be spotted by the searchlight crew and held in its beam.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Even if they recognized the plane, his whole plan would be knocked into a cocked hat should that telltale streamer of light point him out to the enemy planes above who must now be looking sharp.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It would be just his luck to be spotted by the searchlight crew and held in its beam.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
knocked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if they recognized the plane, his whole plan would be knocked into a cocked hat should that telltale streamer of light point him out to the enemy planes above who must now be looking sharp.
Larkin's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if they recognized the plane, his whole plan would be knocked into a cocked hat should that telltale streamer of light point him out to the enemy planes above who must now be looking sharp.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if they recognized the plane, his whole plan would be knocked into a cocked hat should that telltale streamer of light point him out to the enemy planes above who must now be looking sharp.
luck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would be just his luck to be spotted by the searchlight crew and held in its beam.
McGee
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From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
motor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Even if they recognized the plane, his whole plan would be knocked into a cocked hat should that telltale streamer of light point him out to the enemy planes above who must now be looking sharp.
nose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if they recognized the plane, his whole plan would be knocked into a cocked hat should that telltale streamer of light point him out to the enemy planes above who must now be looking sharp.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Would they see the ringed cockades on his wings, or would eager anti-aircraft gunners start blazing away?
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Would they see the ringed cockades on his wings, or would eager anti-aircraft gunners start blazing away?
ounce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if they recognized the plane, his whole plan would be knocked into a cocked hat should that telltale streamer of light point him out to the enemy planes above who must now be looking sharp.
plan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if they recognized the plane, his whole plan would be knocked into a cocked hat should that telltale streamer of light point him out to the enemy planes above who must now be looking sharp.
plane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if they recognized the plane, his whole plan would be knocked into a cocked hat should that telltale streamer of light point him out to the enemy planes above who must now be looking sharp.
planes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if they recognized the plane, his whole plan would be knocked into a cocked hat should that telltale streamer of light point him out to the enemy planes above who must now be looking sharp.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading Even if they recognized the plane, his whole plan would be knocked into a cocked hat should that telltale streamer of light point him out to the enemy planes above who must now be looking sharp.
recognize
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If so, would they recognize him?
recognized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if they recognized the plane, his whole plan would be knocked into a cocked hat should that telltale streamer of light point him out to the enemy planes above who must now be looking sharp.
ringed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Would they see the ringed cockades on his wings, or would eager anti-aircraft gunners start blazing away?
run
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
searchlight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would be just his luck to be spotted by the searchlight crew and held in its beam.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Would they see the ringed cockades on his wings, or would eager anti-aircraft gunners start blazing away?
sharp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if they recognized the plane, his whole plan would be knocked into a cocked hat should that telltale streamer of light point him out to the enemy planes above who must now be looking sharp.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Even if they recognized the plane, his whole plan would be knocked into a cocked hat should that telltale streamer of light point him out to the enemy planes above who must now be looking sharp.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading If so, would they recognize him?
spotted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would be just his luck to be spotted by the searchlight crew and held in its beam.
stand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
startnounUS /start/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Would they see the ringed cockades on his wings, or would eager anti-aircraft gunners start blazing away?
streamer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if they recognized the plane, his whole plan would be knocked into a cocked hat should that telltale streamer of light point him out to the enemy planes above who must now be looking sharp.
telltale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if they recognized the plane, his whole plan would be knocked into a cocked hat should that telltale streamer of light point him out to the enemy planes above who must now be looking sharp.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If so, would they recognize him?
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It would be just his luck to be spotted by the searchlight crew and held in its beam.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
Victory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Even if they recognized the plane, his whole plan would be knocked into a cocked hat should that telltale streamer of light point him out to the enemy planes above who must now be looking sharp.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if they recognized the plane, his whole plan would be knocked into a cocked hat should that telltale streamer of light point him out to the enemy planes above who must now be looking sharp.
wings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Would they see the ringed cockades on his wings, or would eager anti-aircraft gunners start blazing away?
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Victory McGee, holding up the nose of his Camel at an angle that gave the motor every ounce it would stand, was thinking the same alarming thought that had just run through Larkin's mind.