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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 CLUE.
advanced
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After waiting for full two minutes, but which seemed to him nothing short of a quarter of an hour, he went back and gave a longer and a still more vigorous tug at the rope.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Burgo crossed to the door and stood listening with bated breath and one ear pressed against it, but the silence indoors remained unbroken.
all
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading After waiting for full two minutes, but which seemed to him nothing short of a quarter of an hour, he went back and gave a longer and a still more vigorous tug at the rope.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Burgo crossed to the door and stood listening with bated breath and one ear pressed against it, but the silence indoors remained unbroken.
approach
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading After waiting for full two minutes, but which seemed to him nothing short of a quarter of an hour, he went back and gave a longer and a still more vigorous tug at the rope.
back
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From this reading After waiting for full two minutes, but which seemed to him nothing short of a quarter of an hour, he went back and gave a longer and a still more vigorous tug at the rope.
balusters
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From this reading Burgo had counted them many a time when a boy, just as he had slidden many a time down the broad, polished oaken balusters.
banging
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
bated
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From this reading Burgo crossed to the door and stood listening with bated breath and one ear pressed against it, but the silence indoors remained unbroken.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
boy
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From this reading Burgo had counted them many a time when a boy, just as he had slidden many a time down the broad, polished oaken balusters.
breath
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From this reading Burgo crossed to the door and stood listening with bated breath and one ear pressed against it, but the silence indoors remained unbroken.
broad
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From this reading Burgo had counted them many a time when a boy, just as he had slidden many a time down the broad, polished oaken balusters.
Burgo
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From this reading Burgo crossed to the door and stood listening with bated breath and one ear pressed against it, but the silence indoors remained unbroken.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Burgo crossed to the door and stood listening with bated breath and one ear pressed against it, but the silence indoors remained unbroken.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
came
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
CLUE
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From this reading A CLUE.
counted
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From this reading Burgo had counted them many a time when a boy, just as he had slidden many a time down the broad, polished oaken balusters.
crossed
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From this reading Burgo crossed to the door and stood listening with bated breath and one ear pressed against it, but the silence indoors remained unbroken.
distinct
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
door
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From this reading Burgo crossed to the door and stood listening with bated breath and one ear pressed against it, but the silence indoors remained unbroken.
down
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From this reading Burgo had counted them many a time when a boy, just as he had slidden many a time down the broad, polished oaken balusters.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
ear
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From this reading Burgo crossed to the door and stood listening with bated breath and one ear pressed against it, but the silence indoors remained unbroken.
faint
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
flagged
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
followed
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading After waiting for full two minutes, but which seemed to him nothing short of a quarter of an hour, he went back and gave a longer and a still more vigorous tug at the rope.
full
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From this reading After waiting for full two minutes, but which seemed to him nothing short of a quarter of an hour, he went back and gave a longer and a still more vigorous tug at the rope.
gave
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From this reading After waiting for full two minutes, but which seemed to him nothing short of a quarter of an hour, he went back and gave a longer and a still more vigorous tug at the rope.
gradually
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Burgo had counted them many a time when a boy, just as he had slidden many a time down the broad, polished oaken balusters.
hall
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After waiting for full two minutes, but which seemed to him nothing short of a quarter of an hour, he went back and gave a longer and a still more vigorous tug at the rope.
hearing
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading After waiting for full two minutes, but which seemed to him nothing short of a quarter of an hour, he went back and gave a longer and a still more vigorous tug at the rope.
hour
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From this reading After waiting for full two minutes, but which seemed to him nothing short of a quarter of an hour, he went back and gave a longer and a still more vigorous tug at the rope.
house
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
indoors
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From this reading Burgo crossed to the door and stood listening with bated breath and one ear pressed against it, but the silence indoors remained unbroken.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Burgo crossed to the door and stood listening with bated breath and one ear pressed against it, but the silence indoors remained unbroken.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
just
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From this reading Burgo had counted them many a time when a boy, just as he had slidden many a time down the broad, polished oaken balusters.
listened
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
listening
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From this reading Burgo crossed to the door and stood listening with bated breath and one ear pressed against it, but the silence indoors remained unbroken.
longer
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From this reading After waiting for full two minutes, but which seemed to him nothing short of a quarter of an hour, he went back and gave a longer and a still more vigorous tug at the rope.
lower
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
many
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From this reading Burgo had counted them many a time when a boy, just as he had slidden many a time down the broad, polished oaken balusters.
marked
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
minutes
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From this reading After waiting for full two minutes, but which seemed to him nothing short of a quarter of an hour, he went back and gave a longer and a still more vigorous tug at the rope.
more
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From this reading After waiting for full two minutes, but which seemed to him nothing short of a quarter of an hour, he went back and gave a longer and a still more vigorous tug at the rope.
nearer
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading After waiting for full two minutes, but which seemed to him nothing short of a quarter of an hour, he went back and gave a longer and a still more vigorous tug at the rope.
oaken
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading After waiting for full two minutes, but which seemed to him nothing short of a quarter of an hour, he went back and gave a longer and a still more vigorous tug at the rope.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Burgo crossed to the door and stood listening with bated breath and one ear pressed against it, but the silence indoors remained unbroken.
parts
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
peculiar
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
polished
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From this reading Burgo had counted them many a time when a boy, just as he had slidden many a time down the broad, polished oaken balusters.
presently
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
pressed
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From this reading Burgo crossed to the door and stood listening with bated breath and one ear pressed against it, but the silence indoors remained unbroken.
quarter
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From this reading After waiting for full two minutes, but which seemed to him nothing short of a quarter of an hour, he went back and gave a longer and a still more vigorous tug at the rope.
quitted
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
remainednounUS /ˈremained/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Burgo crossed to the door and stood listening with bated breath and one ear pressed against it, but the silence indoors remained unbroken.
rewarded
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
rope
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From this reading After waiting for full two minutes, but which seemed to him nothing short of a quarter of an hour, he went back and gave a longer and a still more vigorous tug at the rope.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After waiting for full two minutes, but which seemed to him nothing short of a quarter of an hour, he went back and gave a longer and a still more vigorous tug at the rope.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading After waiting for full two minutes, but which seemed to him nothing short of a quarter of an hour, he went back and gave a longer and a still more vigorous tug at the rope.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Burgo crossed to the door and stood listening with bated breath and one ear pressed against it, but the silence indoors remained unbroken.
slidden
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From this reading Burgo had counted them many a time when a boy, just as he had slidden many a time down the broad, polished oaken balusters.
slowly
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
somewhere
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
sound
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
stair
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
staircase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After waiting for full two minutes, but which seemed to him nothing short of a quarter of an hour, he went back and gave a longer and a still more vigorous tug at the rope.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Burgo crossed to the door and stood listening with bated breath and one ear pressed against it, but the silence indoors remained unbroken.
tap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Burgo crossed to the door and stood listening with bated breath and one ear pressed against it, but the silence indoors remained unbroken.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Burgo had counted them many a time when a boy, just as he had slidden many a time down the broad, polished oaken balusters.
Then
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
thumping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Burgo had counted them many a time when a boy, just as he had slidden many a time down the broad, polished oaken balusters.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Burgo crossed to the door and stood listening with bated breath and one ear pressed against it, but the silence indoors remained unbroken.
tug
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From this reading After waiting for full two minutes, but which seemed to him nothing short of a quarter of an hour, he went back and gave a longer and a still more vigorous tug at the rope.
twenty-six
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
two
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From this reading After waiting for full two minutes, but which seemed to him nothing short of a quarter of an hour, he went back and gave a longer and a still more vigorous tug at the rope.
unbroken
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From this reading Burgo crossed to the door and stood listening with bated breath and one ear pressed against it, but the silence indoors remained unbroken.
up
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From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
vigorous
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From this reading After waiting for full two minutes, but which seemed to him nothing short of a quarter of an hour, he went back and gave a longer and a still more vigorous tug at the rope.
waiting
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From this reading After waiting for full two minutes, but which seemed to him nothing short of a quarter of an hour, he went back and gave a longer and a still more vigorous tug at the rope.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then he listened again, and presently he was rewarded by hearing the banging of a door somewhere in the lower parts of the house, followed by a peculiar thumping sound, faint at first, but which gradually came nearer as it quitted the flagged hall and advanced slowly up the oaken staircase, its approach being marked by a distinct tap on each stair, twenty-six in all.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After waiting for full two minutes, but which seemed to him nothing short of a quarter of an hour, he went back and gave a longer and a still more vigorous tug at the rope.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Burgo had counted them many a time when a boy, just as he had slidden many a time down the broad, polished oaken balusters.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading After waiting for full two minutes, but which seemed to him nothing short of a quarter of an hour, he went back and gave a longer and a still more vigorous tug at the rope.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Burgo crossed to the door and stood listening with bated breath and one ear pressed against it, but the silence indoors remained unbroken.