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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 Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.
ached
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From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was a black oppressive night after a dull hot day.
AMPERDOO
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From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
any
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From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.
black
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From this reading It was a black oppressive night after a dull hot day.
brains
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From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
broke
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From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
came
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From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.
certain
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From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
chance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.
counted
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From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a black oppressive night after a dull hot day.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
dull
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From this reading It was a black oppressive night after a dull hot day.
duly
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From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
exercise
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From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
fatal
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From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
fit
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From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
fully
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From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
getting
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From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
GOOD-BYE
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From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
hammocks
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From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.
hopes
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From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
hot
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From this reading It was a black oppressive night after a dull hot day.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.
Le
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.
lying
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From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.
Marchant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
moment's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a black oppressive night after a dull hot day.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
occupied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
offer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
oppressive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a black oppressive night after a dull hot day.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
outer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
overcoming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
palisades
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
panting
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From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.
past
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From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
planned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
pondered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
posted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.
SAID
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From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
scaling
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From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
sentries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
sleeping-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
stockadenounUS /ˈstockade/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
storm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.
succeeded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
summer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.
thickly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
TOparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.
travel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
unusual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
warning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
WEpronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.
wing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.