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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 My life hung by a hair, as it were; but this thorough-paced bravo was too wary for me.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading My life hung by a hair, as it were; but this thorough-paced bravo was too wary for me.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading 'Look your last upon your friends, for in ten minutes I will hang your dead body from the tower-head, and the ravens of the Vosges may be picking your bones, when Mademoiselle Louise is reading your letter.
BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading 'Look your last upon your friends, for in ten minutes I will hang your dead body from the tower-head, and the ravens of the Vosges may be picking your bones, when Mademoiselle Louise is reading your letter.
bones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Look your last upon your friends, for in ten minutes I will hang your dead body from the tower-head, and the ravens of the Vosges may be picking your bones, when Mademoiselle Louise is reading your letter.
bravo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My life hung by a hair, as it were; but this thorough-paced bravo was too wary for me.
breast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He then placed the letter carefully in his breast, and dragged me by the throat--for his power and strength were far greater than mine--to the window.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading My life hung by a hair, as it were; but this thorough-paced bravo was too wary for me.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading My life hung by a hair, as it were; but this thorough-paced bravo was too wary for me.
carefully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He then placed the letter carefully in his breast, and dragged me by the throat--for his power and strength were far greater than mine--to the window.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
deadnounUS /dead/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading 'Look your last upon your friends, for in ten minutes I will hang your dead body from the tower-head, and the ravens of the Vosges may be picking your bones, when Mademoiselle Louise is reading your letter.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
document
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
dragged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He then placed the letter carefully in his breast, and dragged me by the throat--for his power and strength were far greater than mine--to the window.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
explode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He then placed the letter carefully in his breast, and dragged me by the throat--for his power and strength were far greater than mine--to the window.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading My life hung by a hair, as it were; but this thorough-paced bravo was too wary for me.
friends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Look your last upon your friends, for in ten minutes I will hang your dead body from the tower-head, and the ravens of the Vosges may be picking your bones, when Mademoiselle Louise is reading your letter.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
furiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
greater
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He then placed the letter carefully in his breast, and dragged me by the throat--for his power and strength were far greater than mine--to the window.
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My life hung by a hair, as it were; but this thorough-paced bravo was too wary for me.
hang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Look your last upon your friends, for in ten minutes I will hang your dead body from the tower-head, and the ravens of the Vosges may be picking your bones, when Mademoiselle Louise is reading your letter.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
heaven's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
hung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My life hung by a hair, as it were; but this thorough-paced bravo was too wary for me.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He then placed the letter carefully in his breast, and dragged me by the throat--for his power and strength were far greater than mine--to the window.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading 'Look your last upon your friends, for in ten minutes I will hang your dead body from the tower-head, and the ravens of the Vosges may be picking your bones, when Mademoiselle Louise is reading your letter.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading My life hung by a hair, as it were; but this thorough-paced bravo was too wary for me.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading 'Look your last upon your friends, for in ten minutes I will hang your dead body from the tower-head, and the ravens of the Vosges may be picking your bones, when Mademoiselle Louise is reading your letter.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He then placed the letter carefully in his breast, and dragged me by the throat--for his power and strength were far greater than mine--to the window.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My life hung by a hair, as it were; but this thorough-paced bravo was too wary for me.
loaded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
LooknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading 'Look your last upon your friends, for in ten minutes I will hang your dead body from the tower-head, and the ravens of the Vosges may be picking your bones, when Mademoiselle Louise is reading your letter.
Louise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Look your last upon your friends, for in ten minutes I will hang your dead body from the tower-head, and the ravens of the Vosges may be picking your bones, when Mademoiselle Louise is reading your letter.
Mademoiselle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Look your last upon your friends, for in ten minutes I will hang your dead body from the tower-head, and the ravens of the Vosges may be picking your bones, when Mademoiselle Louise is reading your letter.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading 'Look your last upon your friends, for in ten minutes I will hang your dead body from the tower-head, and the ravens of the Vosges may be picking your bones, when Mademoiselle Louise is reading your letter.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading My life hung by a hair, as it were; but this thorough-paced bravo was too wary for me.
mercy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
minepronounUS /maɪn/
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading He then placed the letter carefully in his breast, and dragged me by the throat--for his power and strength were far greater than mine--to the window.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Look your last upon your friends, for in ten minutes I will hang your dead body from the tower-head, and the ravens of the Vosges may be picking your bones, when Mademoiselle Louise is reading your letter.
muzzle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My life hung by a hair, as it were; but this thorough-paced bravo was too wary for me.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
picking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Look your last upon your friends, for in ten minutes I will hang your dead body from the tower-head, and the ravens of the Vosges may be picking your bones, when Mademoiselle Louise is reading your letter.
pieces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
pistol
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
placed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He then placed the letter carefully in his breast, and dragged me by the throat--for his power and strength were far greater than mine--to the window.
power
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He then placed the letter carefully in his breast, and dragged me by the throat--for his power and strength were far greater than mine--to the window.
RANDOM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RANDOM SHOT.
rather
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From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
ravens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Look your last upon your friends, for in ten minutes I will hang your dead body from the tower-head, and the ravens of the Vosges may be picking your bones, when Mademoiselle Louise is reading your letter.
reading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Look your last upon your friends, for in ten minutes I will hang your dead body from the tower-head, and the ravens of the Vosges may be picking your bones, when Mademoiselle Louise is reading your letter.
rush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
SHOT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RANDOM SHOT.
snatched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He then placed the letter carefully in his breast, and dragged me by the throat--for his power and strength were far greater than mine--to the window.
tear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Look your last upon your friends, for in ten minutes I will hang your dead body from the tower-head, and the ravens of the Vosges may be picking your bones, when Mademoiselle Louise is reading your letter.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE RANDOM SHOT.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He then placed the letter carefully in his breast, and dragged me by the throat--for his power and strength were far greater than mine--to the window.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading My life hung by a hair, as it were; but this thorough-paced bravo was too wary for me.
thorough-paced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My life hung by a hair, as it were; but this thorough-paced bravo was too wary for me.
throatnounUS /θroʊt/
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading He then placed the letter carefully in his breast, and dragged me by the throat--for his power and strength were far greater than mine--to the window.
thrust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My life hung by a hair, as it were; but this thorough-paced bravo was too wary for me.
tower-head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Look your last upon your friends, for in ten minutes I will hang your dead body from the tower-head, and the ravens of the Vosges may be picking your bones, when Mademoiselle Louise is reading your letter.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
Vosges
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Look your last upon your friends, for in ten minutes I will hang your dead body from the tower-head, and the ravens of the Vosges may be picking your bones, when Mademoiselle Louise is reading your letter.
wary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My life hung by a hair, as it were; but this thorough-paced bravo was too wary for me.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My life hung by a hair, as it were; but this thorough-paced bravo was too wary for me.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading My life hung by a hair, as it were; but this thorough-paced bravo was too wary for me.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading 'Look your last upon your friends, for in ten minutes I will hang your dead body from the tower-head, and the ravens of the Vosges may be picking your bones, when Mademoiselle Louise is reading your letter.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Before I could either rush upon him, or tear the document to pieces, he snatched it from me, and thrust me furiously back by the muzzle of the loaded pistol, which, by heaven's mercy, rather than his, did not explode.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading 'Look your last upon your friends, for in ten minutes I will hang your dead body from the tower-head, and the ravens of the Vosges may be picking your bones, when Mademoiselle Louise is reading your letter.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He then placed the letter carefully in his breast, and dragged me by the throat--for his power and strength were far greater than mine--to the window.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading 'Look your last upon your friends, for in ten minutes I will hang your dead body from the tower-head, and the ravens of the Vosges may be picking your bones, when Mademoiselle Louise is reading your letter.
