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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 Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He staggered a little and then straightened to look around.
ankle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was less than a ten-foot drop, but because of the pain in his left ankle he didn't dare to drop too heavily.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he struck the plastosteel pavement, he clamped his lips together to cut short the moan of pain that welled up as his left foot twisted under him.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading It was less than a ten-foot drop, but because of the pain in his left ankle he didn't dare to drop too heavily.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
brunt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His right leg would have to take the brunt of the shock.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
cautiously
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From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
clamped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he struck the plastosteel pavement, he clamped his lips together to cut short the moan of pain that welled up as his left foot twisted under him.
crouching
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From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he struck the plastosteel pavement, he clamped his lips together to cut short the moan of pain that welled up as his left foot twisted under him.
dare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was less than a ten-foot drop, but because of the pain in his left ankle he didn't dare to drop too heavily.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was less than a ten-foot drop, but because of the pain in his left ankle he didn't dare to drop too heavily.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
drop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was less than a ten-foot drop, but because of the pain in his left ankle he didn't dare to drop too heavily.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
eased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As he struck the plastosteel pavement, he clamped his lips together to cut short the moan of pain that welled up as his left foot twisted under him.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading His right leg would have to take the brunt of the shock.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
heavily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was less than a ten-foot drop, but because of the pain in his left ankle he didn't dare to drop too heavily.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was less than a ten-foot drop, but because of the pain in his left ankle he didn't dare to drop too heavily.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
ledge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was less than a ten-foot drop, but because of the pain in his left ankle he didn't dare to drop too heavily.
leg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His right leg would have to take the brunt of the shock.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was less than a ten-foot drop, but because of the pain in his left ankle he didn't dare to drop too heavily.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
lips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he struck the plastosteel pavement, he clamped his lips together to cut short the moan of pain that welled up as his left foot twisted under him.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He staggered a little and then straightened to look around.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He staggered a little and then straightened to look around.
Looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
Mac
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
moan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he struck the plastosteel pavement, he clamped his lips together to cut short the moan of pain that welled up as his left foot twisted under him.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
pain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was less than a ten-foot drop, but because of the pain in his left ankle he didn't dare to drop too heavily.
pavement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he struck the plastosteel pavement, he clamped his lips together to cut short the moan of pain that welled up as his left foot twisted under him.
plastosteel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he struck the plastosteel pavement, he clamped his lips together to cut short the moan of pain that welled up as his left foot twisted under him.
relaxation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
retire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His right leg would have to take the brunt of the shock.
Service
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
shock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His right leg would have to take the brunt of the shock.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading As he struck the plastosteel pavement, he clamped his lips together to cut short the moan of pain that welled up as his left foot twisted under him.
simple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
Solar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
staggered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He staggered a little and then straightened to look around.
straightened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He staggered a little and then straightened to look around.
strucknounUS /struck/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As he struck the plastosteel pavement, he clamped his lips together to cut short the moan of pain that welled up as his left foot twisted under him.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His right leg would have to take the brunt of the shock.
ten-foot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was less than a ten-foot drop, but because of the pain in his left ankle he didn't dare to drop too heavily.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was less than a ten-foot drop, but because of the pain in his left ankle he didn't dare to drop too heavily.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As he struck the plastosteel pavement, he clamped his lips together to cut short the moan of pain that welled up as his left foot twisted under him.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He staggered a little and then straightened to look around.
Thornwald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he struck the plastosteel pavement, he clamped his lips together to cut short the moan of pain that welled up as his left foot twisted under him.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was less than a ten-foot drop, but because of the pain in his left ankle he didn't dare to drop too heavily.
tour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
twisted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he struck the plastosteel pavement, he clamped his lips together to cut short the moan of pain that welled up as his left foot twisted under him.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading As he struck the plastosteel pavement, he clamped his lips together to cut short the moan of pain that welled up as his left foot twisted under him.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he struck the plastosteel pavement, he clamped his lips together to cut short the moan of pain that welled up as his left foot twisted under him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
welled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he struck the plastosteel pavement, he clamped his lips together to cut short the moan of pain that welled up as his left foot twisted under him.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Thornwald had done his tour of duty for the Solar Service; now it was time for him to retire But a life of relaxation would not be simple on-- Looking around cautiously, Mac Thornwald eased himself down from the window ledge where he had been crouching.
