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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 A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading The pajama jacket was open at his throat and his arms were flung above his head as though helplessness had come upon him in the effort to protect himself from an attack.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
ANSWEREDnounUS /ˈanswered/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pajama jacket was open at his throat and his arms were flung above his head as though helplessness had come upon him in the effort to protect himself from an attack.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The pajama jacket was open at his throat and his arms were flung above his head as though helplessness had come upon him in the effort to protect himself from an attack.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Dennis was clinging weakly to an upright post at the foot of the heavily carved bed upon which Orbit was lying.
attack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pajama jacket was open at his throat and his arms were flung above his head as though helplessness had come upon him in the effort to protect himself from an attack.
bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dennis was clinging weakly to an upright post at the foot of the heavily carved bed upon which Orbit was lying.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
blotches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His firmly molded chin was relaxed and the sunken, closed eyes were mere blotches of shadow in the grayish pallor of his face.
button
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
carved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dennis was clinging weakly to an upright post at the foot of the heavily carved bed upon which Orbit was lying.
chin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His firmly molded chin was relaxed and the sunken, closed eyes were mere blotches of shadow in the grayish pallor of his face.
clinging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dennis was clinging weakly to an upright post at the foot of the heavily carved bed upon which Orbit was lying.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His firmly molded chin was relaxed and the sunken, closed eyes were mere blotches of shadow in the grayish pallor of his face.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The pajama jacket was open at his throat and his arms were flung above his head as though helplessness had come upon him in the effort to protect himself from an attack.
Dennis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dennis was clinging weakly to an upright post at the foot of the heavily carved bed upon which Orbit was lying.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
effort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pajama jacket was open at his throat and his arms were flung above his head as though helplessness had come upon him in the effort to protect himself from an attack.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strange scene presented itself to his staring eyes.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His firmly molded chin was relaxed and the sunken, closed eyes were mere blotches of shadow in the grayish pallor of his face.
firmly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His firmly molded chin was relaxed and the sunken, closed eyes were mere blotches of shadow in the grayish pallor of his face.
flashlight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
flung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pajama jacket was open at his throat and his arms were flung above his head as though helplessness had come upon him in the effort to protect himself from an attack.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Dennis was clinging weakly to an upright post at the foot of the heavily carved bed upon which Orbit was lying.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The pajama jacket was open at his throat and his arms were flung above his head as though helplessness had come upon him in the effort to protect himself from an attack.
grayish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His firmly molded chin was relaxed and the sunken, closed eyes were mere blotches of shadow in the grayish pallor of his face.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The pajama jacket was open at his throat and his arms were flung above his head as though helplessness had come upon him in the effort to protect himself from an attack.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pajama jacket was open at his throat and his arms were flung above his head as though helplessness had come upon him in the effort to protect himself from an attack.
heavily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dennis was clinging weakly to an upright post at the foot of the heavily carved bed upon which Orbit was lying.
helplessness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pajama jacket was open at his throat and his arms were flung above his head as though helplessness had come upon him in the effort to protect himself from an attack.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His firmly molded chin was relaxed and the sunken, closed eyes were mere blotches of shadow in the grayish pallor of his face.
instant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading A strange scene presented itself to his staring eyes.
jacket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pajama jacket was open at his throat and his arms were flung above his head as though helplessness had come upon him in the effort to protect himself from an attack.
legs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
lying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dennis was clinging weakly to an upright post at the foot of the heavily carved bed upon which Orbit was lying.
McCarty's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
mere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His firmly molded chin was relaxed and the sunken, closed eyes were mere blotches of shadow in the grayish pallor of his face.
molded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His firmly molded chin was relaxed and the sunken, closed eyes were mere blotches of shadow in the grayish pallor of his face.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The pajama jacket was open at his throat and his arms were flung above his head as though helplessness had come upon him in the effort to protect himself from an attack.
Orbit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dennis was clinging weakly to an upright post at the foot of the heavily carved bed upon which Orbit was lying.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
pajama
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pajama jacket was open at his throat and his arms were flung above his head as though helplessness had come upon him in the effort to protect himself from an attack.
pallor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His firmly molded chin was relaxed and the sunken, closed eyes were mere blotches of shadow in the grayish pallor of his face.
post
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dennis was clinging weakly to an upright post at the foot of the heavily carved bed upon which Orbit was lying.
presented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strange scene presented itself to his staring eyes.
pressing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
protect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pajama jacket was open at his throat and his arms were flung above his head as though helplessness had come upon him in the effort to protect himself from an attack.
QUESTIONnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
relaxed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His firmly molded chin was relaxed and the sunken, closed eyes were mere blotches of shadow in the grayish pallor of his face.
scene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strange scene presented itself to his staring eyes.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading His firmly molded chin was relaxed and the sunken, closed eyes were mere blotches of shadow in the grayish pallor of his face.
sill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
staring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strange scene presented itself to his staring eyes.
stout
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strange scene presented itself to his staring eyes.
strode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
sunken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His firmly molded chin was relaxed and the sunken, closed eyes were mere blotches of shadow in the grayish pallor of his face.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The pajama jacket was open at his throat and his arms were flung above his head as though helplessness had come upon him in the effort to protect himself from an attack.
throatnounUS /θroʊt/
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading The pajama jacket was open at his throat and his arms were flung above his head as though helplessness had come upon him in the effort to protect himself from an attack.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A strange scene presented itself to his staring eyes.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Dennis was clinging weakly to an upright post at the foot of the heavily carved bed upon which Orbit was lying.
upright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dennis was clinging weakly to an upright post at the foot of the heavily carved bed upon which Orbit was lying.
wabbled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A QUESTION ANSWERED For an instant McCarty’s stout legs wabbled beneath him, then he drew himself together and pressing the button of his own flashlight he strode over the sill.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dennis was clinging weakly to an upright post at the foot of the heavily carved bed upon which Orbit was lying.
weakly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dennis was clinging weakly to an upright post at the foot of the heavily carved bed upon which Orbit was lying.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His firmly molded chin was relaxed and the sunken, closed eyes were mere blotches of shadow in the grayish pallor of his face.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Dennis was clinging weakly to an upright post at the foot of the heavily carved bed upon which Orbit was lying.
