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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 She opened the door very softly, as if fearful of disturbing him, and she paused for a moment or two in the open space, with her hand raised in a listening attitude.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THAT night, as Joshua was lying half-awake and half-asleep, his mind being filled with pleasant sea-pictures, he was surprised to hear his bedroom-door creak.
approached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joshua saw that she believed him to be asleep, and he closed his eyes as she approached the bed.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THAT night, as Joshua was lying half-awake and half-asleep, his mind being filled with pleasant sea-pictures, he was surprised to hear his bedroom-door creak.
asleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joshua saw that she believed him to be asleep, and he closed his eyes as she approached the bed.
attitude
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From this reading She opened the door very softly, as if fearful of disturbing him, and she paused for a moment or two in the open space, with her hand raised in a listening attitude.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Joshua saw that she believed him to be asleep, and he closed his eyes as she approached the bed.
bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without moving in his bed, he turned his eyes towards the door, and, in the indistinct light, he saw his mother enter the room.
bedroom-door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THAT night, as Joshua was lying half-awake and half-asleep, his mind being filled with pleasant sea-pictures, he was surprised to hear his bedroom-door creak.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading THAT night, as Joshua was lying half-awake and half-asleep, his mind being filled with pleasant sea-pictures, he was surprised to hear his bedroom-door creak.
believed
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From this reading Joshua saw that she believed him to be asleep, and he closed his eyes as she approached the bed.
close
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From this reading Her movements were so quiet, that he did not know she was close to him, until she gently took his hand and placed it to her lips.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joshua saw that she believed him to be asleep, and he closed his eyes as she approached the bed.
creak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THAT night, as Joshua was lying half-awake and half-asleep, his mind being filled with pleasant sea-pictures, he was surprised to hear his bedroom-door creak.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Her movements were so quiet, that he did not know she was close to him, until she gently took his hand and placed it to her lips.
disturbing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She opened the door very softly, as if fearful of disturbing him, and she paused for a moment or two in the open space, with her hand raised in a listening attitude.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without moving in his bed, he turned his eyes towards the door, and, in the indistinct light, he saw his mother enter the room.
enter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without moving in his bed, he turned his eyes towards the door, and, in the indistinct light, he saw his mother enter the room.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without moving in his bed, he turned his eyes towards the door, and, in the indistinct light, he saw his mother enter the room.
fearful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She opened the door very softly, as if fearful of disturbing him, and she paused for a moment or two in the open space, with her hand raised in a listening attitude.
filled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THAT night, as Joshua was lying half-awake and half-asleep, his mind being filled with pleasant sea-pictures, he was surprised to hear his bedroom-door creak.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She opened the door very softly, as if fearful of disturbing him, and she paused for a moment or two in the open space, with her hand raised in a listening attitude.
gently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her movements were so quiet, that he did not know she was close to him, until she gently took his hand and placed it to her lips.
half-asleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THAT night, as Joshua was lying half-awake and half-asleep, his mind being filled with pleasant sea-pictures, he was surprised to hear his bedroom-door creak.
half-awake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THAT night, as Joshua was lying half-awake and half-asleep, his mind being filled with pleasant sea-pictures, he was surprised to hear his bedroom-door creak.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She opened the door very softly, as if fearful of disturbing him, and she paused for a moment or two in the open space, with her hand raised in a listening attitude.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THAT night, as Joshua was lying half-awake and half-asleep, his mind being filled with pleasant sea-pictures, he was surprised to hear his bedroom-door creak.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THAT night, as Joshua was lying half-awake and half-asleep, his mind being filled with pleasant sea-pictures, he was surprised to hear his bedroom-door creak.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She opened the door very softly, as if fearful of disturbing him, and she paused for a moment or two in the open space, with her hand raised in a listening attitude.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She opened the door very softly, as if fearful of disturbing him, and she paused for a moment or two in the open space, with her hand raised in a listening attitude.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THAT night, as Joshua was lying half-awake and half-asleep, his mind being filled with pleasant sea-pictures, he was surprised to hear his bedroom-door creak.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She opened the door very softly, as if fearful of disturbing him, and she paused for a moment or two in the open space, with her hand raised in a listening attitude.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Without moving in his bed, he turned his eyes towards the door, and, in the indistinct light, he saw his mother enter the room.
indistinct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without moving in his bed, he turned his eyes towards the door, and, in the indistinct light, he saw his mother enter the room.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Her movements were so quiet, that he did not know she was close to him, until she gently took his hand and placed it to her lips.
Joshua
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THAT night, as Joshua was lying half-awake and half-asleep, his mind being filled with pleasant sea-pictures, he was surprised to hear his bedroom-door creak.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her movements were so quiet, that he did not know she was close to him, until she gently took his hand and placed it to her lips.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without moving in his bed, he turned his eyes towards the door, and, in the indistinct light, he saw his mother enter the room.
lips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her movements were so quiet, that he did not know she was close to him, until she gently took his hand and placed it to her lips.
listening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She opened the door very softly, as if fearful of disturbing him, and she paused for a moment or two in the open space, with her hand raised in a listening attitude.
lying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THAT night, as Joshua was lying half-awake and half-asleep, his mind being filled with pleasant sea-pictures, he was surprised to hear his bedroom-door creak.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THAT night, as Joshua was lying half-awake and half-asleep, his mind being filled with pleasant sea-pictures, he was surprised to hear his bedroom-door creak.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She opened the door very softly, as if fearful of disturbing him, and she paused for a moment or two in the open space, with her hand raised in a listening attitude.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without moving in his bed, he turned his eyes towards the door, and, in the indistinct light, he saw his mother enter the room.
movements
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her movements were so quiet, that he did not know she was close to him, until she gently took his hand and placed it to her lips.
moving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without moving in his bed, he turned his eyes towards the door, and, in the indistinct light, he saw his mother enter the room.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THAT night, as Joshua was lying half-awake and half-asleep, his mind being filled with pleasant sea-pictures, he was surprised to hear his bedroom-door creak.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Her movements were so quiet, that he did not know she was close to him, until she gently took his hand and placed it to her lips.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She opened the door very softly, as if fearful of disturbing him, and she paused for a moment or two in the open space, with her hand raised in a listening attitude.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading She opened the door very softly, as if fearful of disturbing him, and she paused for a moment or two in the open space, with her hand raised in a listening attitude.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She opened the door very softly, as if fearful of disturbing him, and she paused for a moment or two in the open space, with her hand raised in a listening attitude.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She opened the door very softly, as if fearful of disturbing him, and she paused for a moment or two in the open space, with her hand raised in a listening attitude.
paused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She opened the door very softly, as if fearful of disturbing him, and she paused for a moment or two in the open space, with her hand raised in a listening attitude.
placed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her movements were so quiet, that he did not know she was close to him, until she gently took his hand and placed it to her lips.
pleasantnounUS /pleasant/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THAT night, as Joshua was lying half-awake and half-asleep, his mind being filled with pleasant sea-pictures, he was surprised to hear his bedroom-door creak.
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her movements were so quiet, that he did not know she was close to him, until she gently took his hand and placed it to her lips.
raised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She opened the door very softly, as if fearful of disturbing him, and she paused for a moment or two in the open space, with her hand raised in a listening attitude.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without moving in his bed, he turned his eyes towards the door, and, in the indistinct light, he saw his mother enter the room.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without moving in his bed, he turned his eyes towards the door, and, in the indistinct light, he saw his mother enter the room.
sea-pictures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THAT night, as Joshua was lying half-awake and half-asleep, his mind being filled with pleasant sea-pictures, he was surprised to hear his bedroom-door creak.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She opened the door very softly, as if fearful of disturbing him, and she paused for a moment or two in the open space, with her hand raised in a listening attitude.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Her movements were so quiet, that he did not know she was close to him, until she gently took his hand and placed it to her lips.
softly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She opened the door very softly, as if fearful of disturbing him, and she paused for a moment or two in the open space, with her hand raised in a listening attitude.
space
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She opened the door very softly, as if fearful of disturbing him, and she paused for a moment or two in the open space, with her hand raised in a listening attitude.
surprisednounUS /surprised/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THAT night, as Joshua was lying half-awake and half-asleep, his mind being filled with pleasant sea-pictures, he was surprised to hear his bedroom-door creak.
THATconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THAT night, as Joshua was lying half-awake and half-asleep, his mind being filled with pleasant sea-pictures, he was surprised to hear his bedroom-door creak.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Without moving in his bed, he turned his eyes towards the door, and, in the indistinct light, he saw his mother enter the room.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THAT night, as Joshua was lying half-awake and half-asleep, his mind being filled with pleasant sea-pictures, he was surprised to hear his bedroom-door creak.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her movements were so quiet, that he did not know she was close to him, until she gently took his hand and placed it to her lips.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading Without moving in his bed, he turned his eyes towards the door, and, in the indistinct light, he saw his mother enter the room.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without moving in his bed, he turned his eyes towards the door, and, in the indistinct light, he saw his mother enter the room.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She opened the door very softly, as if fearful of disturbing him, and she paused for a moment or two in the open space, with her hand raised in a listening attitude.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Her movements were so quiet, that he did not know she was close to him, until she gently took his hand and placed it to her lips.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She opened the door very softly, as if fearful of disturbing him, and she paused for a moment or two in the open space, with her hand raised in a listening attitude.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THAT night, as Joshua was lying half-awake and half-asleep, his mind being filled with pleasant sea-pictures, he was surprised to hear his bedroom-door creak.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her movements were so quiet, that he did not know she was close to him, until she gently took his hand and placed it to her lips.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading THAT night, as Joshua was lying half-awake and half-asleep, his mind being filled with pleasant sea-pictures, he was surprised to hear his bedroom-door creak.
WithoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Without moving in his bed, he turned his eyes towards the door, and, in the indistinct light, he saw his mother enter the room.
