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AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Taking out my knife, I glanced at the door leading into the hall, found it still shut and everything quiet behind it.
attention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
attracting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Taking out my knife, I glanced at the door leading into the hall, found it still shut and everything quiet behind it.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This last seemed by much the best device.
bit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I took a look into the shrubs and bushes of the yard outside, and, observing nothing to disturb me, snipped off a bit from one of the outer edges of the slats and then carefully reclosed the blinds and the window.
blind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
blinds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I took a look into the shrubs and bushes of the yard outside, and, observing nothing to disturb me, snipped off a bit from one of the outer edges of the slats and then carefully reclosed the blinds and the window.
bushes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I took a look into the shrubs and bushes of the yard outside, and, observing nothing to disturb me, snipped off a bit from one of the outer edges of the slats and then carefully reclosed the blinds and the window.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This last seemed by much the best device.
carefully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I took a look into the shrubs and bushes of the yard outside, and, observing nothing to disturb me, snipped off a bit from one of the outer edges of the slats and then carefully reclosed the blinds and the window.
casement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
cover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
crossing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was crossing the threshold when I heard a rapid footstep in the hall.
device
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This last seemed by much the best device.
discovered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
disturb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I took a look into the shrubs and bushes of the yard outside, and, observing nothing to disturb me, snipped off a bit from one of the outer edges of the slats and then carefully reclosed the blinds and the window.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Taking out my knife, I glanced at the door leading into the hall, found it still shut and everything quiet behind it.
edges
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I took a look into the shrubs and bushes of the yard outside, and, observing nothing to disturb me, snipped off a bit from one of the outer edges of the slats and then carefully reclosed the blinds and the window.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Taking out my knife, I glanced at the door leading into the hall, found it still shut and everything quiet behind it.
footstep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was crossing the threshold when I heard a rapid footstep in the hall.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Taking out my knife, I glanced at the door leading into the hall, found it still shut and everything quiet behind it.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
glanced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Taking out my knife, I glanced at the door leading into the hall, found it still shut and everything quiet behind it.
hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Taking out my knife, I glanced at the door leading into the hall, found it still shut and everything quiet behind it.
handkerchief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was crossing the threshold when I heard a rapid footstep in the hall.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Taking out my knife, I glanced at the door leading into the hall, found it still shut and everything quiet behind it.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I was crossing the threshold when I heard a rapid footstep in the hall.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Taking out my knife, I glanced at the door leading into the hall, found it still shut and everything quiet behind it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
knife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Taking out my knife, I glanced at the door leading into the hall, found it still shut and everything quiet behind it.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This last seemed by much the best device.
leading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Taking out my knife, I glanced at the door leading into the hall, found it still shut and everything quiet behind it.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then I took a look into the shrubs and bushes of the yard outside, and, observing nothing to disturb me, snipped off a bit from one of the outer edges of the slats and then carefully reclosed the blinds and the window.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then I took a look into the shrubs and bushes of the yard outside, and, observing nothing to disturb me, snipped off a bit from one of the outer edges of the slats and then carefully reclosed the blinds and the window.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This last seemed by much the best device.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Taking out my knife, I glanced at the door leading into the hall, found it still shut and everything quiet behind it.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
observing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I took a look into the shrubs and bushes of the yard outside, and, observing nothing to disturb me, snipped off a bit from one of the outer edges of the slats and then carefully reclosed the blinds and the window.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I took a look into the shrubs and bushes of the yard outside, and, observing nothing to disturb me, snipped off a bit from one of the outer edges of the slats and then carefully reclosed the blinds and the window.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Then I took a look into the shrubs and bushes of the yard outside, and, observing nothing to disturb me, snipped off a bit from one of the outer edges of the slats and then carefully reclosed the blinds and the window.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
outer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I took a look into the shrubs and bushes of the yard outside, and, observing nothing to disturb me, snipped off a bit from one of the outer edges of the slats and then carefully reclosed the blinds and the window.
outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Then I took a look into the shrubs and bushes of the yard outside, and, observing nothing to disturb me, snipped off a bit from one of the outer edges of the slats and then carefully reclosed the blinds and the window.
pullednounUS /pulled/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Taking out my knife, I glanced at the door leading into the hall, found it still shut and everything quiet behind it.
rapid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was crossing the threshold when I heard a rapid footstep in the hall.
reclosed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I took a look into the shrubs and bushes of the yard outside, and, observing nothing to disturb me, snipped off a bit from one of the outer edges of the slats and then carefully reclosed the blinds and the window.
replace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This last seemed by much the best device.
separated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
shrubs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I took a look into the shrubs and bushes of the yard outside, and, observing nothing to disturb me, snipped off a bit from one of the outer edges of the slats and then carefully reclosed the blinds and the window.
shut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
slats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I took a look into the shrubs and bushes of the yard outside, and, observing nothing to disturb me, snipped off a bit from one of the outer edges of the slats and then carefully reclosed the blinds and the window.
sliver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
snipped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I took a look into the shrubs and bushes of the yard outside, and, observing nothing to disturb me, snipped off a bit from one of the outer edges of the slats and then carefully reclosed the blinds and the window.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Taking out my knife, I glanced at the door leading into the hall, found it still shut and everything quiet behind it.
Taking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Taking out my knife, I glanced at the door leading into the hall, found it still shut and everything quiet behind it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This last seemed by much the best device.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I took a look into the shrubs and bushes of the yard outside, and, observing nothing to disturb me, snipped off a bit from one of the outer edges of the slats and then carefully reclosed the blinds and the window.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This last seemed by much the best device.
threshold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was crossing the threshold when I heard a rapid footstep in the hall.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Then I took a look into the shrubs and bushes of the yard outside, and, observing nothing to disturb me, snipped off a bit from one of the outer edges of the slats and then carefully reclosed the blinds and the window.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then I took a look into the shrubs and bushes of the yard outside, and, observing nothing to disturb me, snipped off a bit from one of the outer edges of the slats and then carefully reclosed the blinds and the window.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was crossing the threshold when I heard a rapid footstep in the hall.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading I was crossing the threshold when I heard a rapid footstep in the hall.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I took a look into the shrubs and bushes of the yard outside, and, observing nothing to disturb me, snipped off a bit from one of the outer edges of the slats and then carefully reclosed the blinds and the window.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
wood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A handkerchief could be discovered and pulled out, an open blind could be shut, but a sliver once separated from the wood of the casement, nothing could replace it or even cover it up without itself attracting attention.
yard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I took a look into the shrubs and bushes of the yard outside, and, observing nothing to disturb me, snipped off a bit from one of the outer edges of the slats and then carefully reclosed the blinds and the window.
