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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 The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.
air
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From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.
all-pervading
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From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.
almost
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From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
American
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From this reading "So you have come?" said the American.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
attenuated
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From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.
Austin
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From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
black
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From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.
bony
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, he was a trifle reassured when he felt the firm grasp of a hot, bony hand.
bridge
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From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
caught
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From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
clungnounUS /clung/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "So you have come?" said the American.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.
Cumbria
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From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
cut
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From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.
damp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.
deck
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From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
descends
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From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
draped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.
duck
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From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.
emphasising
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From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.
fancied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.
felt
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From this reading Still, he was a trifle reassured when he felt the firm grasp of a hot, bony hand.
figure
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From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.
firm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, he was a trifle reassured when he felt the firm grasp of a hot, bony hand.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
frame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.
gaunt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.
gazing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.
graspnounUS /ɡræsp/
a firm hold in a specific situation in this story
From this reading Still, he was a trifle reassured when he felt the firm grasp of a hot, bony hand.
groped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, he was a trifle reassured when he felt the firm grasp of a hot, bony hand.
harsh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
hot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, he was a trifle reassured when he felt the firm grasp of a hot, bony hand.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
hung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.
impenetrable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.
Jefferson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.
man's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.
NOCTURNAL
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From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
obscurity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.
perspirationnounUS /ˌpɜːrspəˈreɪʃən/
sweat produced by the body
From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.
reassuredverbUS /ˌriːəˈʃʊrd/
made less worried or afraid
From this reading Still, he was a trifle reassured when he felt the firm grasp of a hot, bony hand.
s
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "So you have come?" said the American.
sharpness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
skeleton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.
slanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "So you have come?" said the American.
soaked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.
spareness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
steamer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.
StillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Still, he was a trifle reassured when he felt the firm grasp of a hot, bony hand.
stranded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.
stream
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.
swamps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.
triflenounUS /ˈtraɪfəl/
something that needs very little effort
From this reading Still, he was a trifle reassured when he felt the firm grasp of a hot, bony hand.
tropic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.
vapour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.
VISITORS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.
wore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "So you have come?" said the American.
