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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 Merlin waited a while in the hall, until he heard the noise of the shrieking crowd gradually die away in the distance, then with a grunt of satisfaction he one more mounted the stairs.
alarm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next instant, however, Merlin's heavy, slouching footsteps on the stairs had caused Anne Mie to look round in alarm.
All
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From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
Anne
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From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
anxious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
Atonement
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From this reading Atonement.
away
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From this reading Merlin waited a while in the hall, until he heard the noise of the shrieking crowd gradually die away in the distance, then with a grunt of satisfaction he one more mounted the stairs.
balcony
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From this reading They had not dared to step out on to the balcony to see what was going on, and, therefore, did not understand what the reopening and shutting of the front door had meant.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
caused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next instant, however, Merlin's heavy, slouching footsteps on the stairs had caused Anne Mie to look round in alarm.
crowd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Merlin waited a while in the hall, until he heard the noise of the shrieking crowd gradually die away in the distance, then with a grunt of satisfaction he one more mounted the stairs.
dared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not dared to step out on to the balcony to see what was going on, and, therefore, did not understand what the reopening and shutting of the front door had meant.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading They had not dared to step out on to the balcony to see what was going on, and, therefore, did not understand what the reopening and shutting of the front door had meant.
die
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Merlin waited a while in the hall, until he heard the noise of the shrieking crowd gradually die away in the distance, then with a grunt of satisfaction he one more mounted the stairs.
distance
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From this reading Merlin waited a while in the hall, until he heard the noise of the shrieking crowd gradually die away in the distance, then with a grunt of satisfaction he one more mounted the stairs.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not dared to step out on to the balcony to see what was going on, and, therefore, did not understand what the reopening and shutting of the front door had meant.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
Déroulède
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From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
events
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
footsteps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next instant, however, Merlin's heavy, slouching footsteps on the stairs had caused Anne Mie to look round in alarm.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not dared to step out on to the balcony to see what was going on, and, therefore, did not understand what the reopening and shutting of the front door had meant.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not dared to step out on to the balcony to see what was going on, and, therefore, did not understand what the reopening and shutting of the front door had meant.
gradually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Merlin waited a while in the hall, until he heard the noise of the shrieking crowd gradually die away in the distance, then with a grunt of satisfaction he one more mounted the stairs.
grunt
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From this reading Merlin waited a while in the hall, until he heard the noise of the shrieking crowd gradually die away in the distance, then with a grunt of satisfaction he one more mounted the stairs.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Merlin waited a while in the hall, until he heard the noise of the shrieking crowd gradually die away in the distance, then with a grunt of satisfaction he one more mounted the stairs.
happening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Merlin waited a while in the hall, until he heard the noise of the shrieking crowd gradually die away in the distance, then with a grunt of satisfaction he one more mounted the stairs.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Merlin waited a while in the hall, until he heard the noise of the shrieking crowd gradually die away in the distance, then with a grunt of satisfaction he one more mounted the stairs.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next instant, however, Merlin's heavy, slouching footsteps on the stairs had caused Anne Mie to look round in alarm.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The next instant, however, Merlin's heavy, slouching footsteps on the stairs had caused Anne Mie to look round in alarm.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Merlin waited a while in the hall, until he heard the noise of the shrieking crowd gradually die away in the distance, then with a grunt of satisfaction he one more mounted the stairs.
instant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next instant, however, Merlin's heavy, slouching footsteps on the stairs had caused Anne Mie to look round in alarm.
Juliette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The next instant, however, Merlin's heavy, slouching footsteps on the stairs had caused Anne Mie to look round in alarm.
Madame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
meant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not dared to step out on to the balcony to see what was going on, and, therefore, did not understand what the reopening and shutting of the front door had meant.
Merlin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Merlin waited a while in the hall, until he heard the noise of the shrieking crowd gradually die away in the distance, then with a grunt of satisfaction he one more mounted the stairs.
Merlin's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next instant, however, Merlin's heavy, slouching footsteps on the stairs had caused Anne Mie to look round in alarm.
Mie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Merlin waited a while in the hall, until he heard the noise of the shrieking crowd gradually die away in the distance, then with a grunt of satisfaction he one more mounted the stairs.
mounted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Merlin waited a while in the hall, until he heard the noise of the shrieking crowd gradually die away in the distance, then with a grunt of satisfaction he one more mounted the stairs.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The next instant, however, Merlin's heavy, slouching footsteps on the stairs had caused Anne Mie to look round in alarm.
noise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Merlin waited a while in the hall, until he heard the noise of the shrieking crowd gradually die away in the distance, then with a grunt of satisfaction he one more mounted the stairs.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They had not dared to step out on to the balcony to see what was going on, and, therefore, did not understand what the reopening and shutting of the front door had meant.
notice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
occurred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Merlin waited a while in the hall, until he heard the noise of the shrieking crowd gradually die away in the distance, then with a grunt of satisfaction he one more mounted the stairs.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They had not dared to step out on to the balcony to see what was going on, and, therefore, did not understand what the reopening and shutting of the front door had meant.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Merlin waited a while in the hall, until he heard the noise of the shrieking crowd gradually die away in the distance, then with a grunt of satisfaction he one more mounted the stairs.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not dared to step out on to the balcony to see what was going on, and, therefore, did not understand what the reopening and shutting of the front door had meant.
outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
reopening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not dared to step out on to the balcony to see what was going on, and, therefore, did not understand what the reopening and shutting of the front door had meant.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next instant, however, Merlin's heavy, slouching footsteps on the stairs had caused Anne Mie to look round in alarm.
satisfaction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Merlin waited a while in the hall, until he heard the noise of the shrieking crowd gradually die away in the distance, then with a grunt of satisfaction he one more mounted the stairs.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not dared to step out on to the balcony to see what was going on, and, therefore, did not understand what the reopening and shutting of the front door had meant.
shrieking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Merlin waited a while in the hall, until he heard the noise of the shrieking crowd gradually die away in the distance, then with a grunt of satisfaction he one more mounted the stairs.
shutting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not dared to step out on to the balcony to see what was going on, and, therefore, did not understand what the reopening and shutting of the front door had meant.
slouching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next instant, however, Merlin's heavy, slouching footsteps on the stairs had caused Anne Mie to look round in alarm.
stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Merlin waited a while in the hall, until he heard the noise of the shrieking crowd gradually die away in the distance, then with a grunt of satisfaction he one more mounted the stairs.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They had not dared to step out on to the balcony to see what was going on, and, therefore, did not understand what the reopening and shutting of the front door had meant.
streets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Merlin waited a while in the hall, until he heard the noise of the shrieking crowd gradually die away in the distance, then with a grunt of satisfaction he one more mounted the stairs.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Merlin waited a while in the hall, until he heard the noise of the shrieking crowd gradually die away in the distance, then with a grunt of satisfaction he one more mounted the stairs.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading They had not dared to step out on to the balcony to see what was going on, and, therefore, did not understand what the reopening and shutting of the front door had meant.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had not dared to step out on to the balcony to see what was going on, and, therefore, did not understand what the reopening and shutting of the front door had meant.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They had not dared to step out on to the balcony to see what was going on, and, therefore, did not understand what the reopening and shutting of the front door had meant.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Merlin waited a while in the hall, until he heard the noise of the shrieking crowd gradually die away in the distance, then with a grunt of satisfaction he one more mounted the stairs.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
waited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Merlin waited a while in the hall, until he heard the noise of the shrieking crowd gradually die away in the distance, then with a grunt of satisfaction he one more mounted the stairs.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading All these events outside had occurred during a very few minutes, and Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie had been too anxious as to what was happening in the streets, to take any notice of Juliette.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Merlin waited a while in the hall, until he heard the noise of the shrieking crowd gradually die away in the distance, then with a grunt of satisfaction he one more mounted the stairs.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Merlin waited a while in the hall, until he heard the noise of the shrieking crowd gradually die away in the distance, then with a grunt of satisfaction he one more mounted the stairs.