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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 For a moment they stood at bay.
access
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading A low wail was heard in the air,—many people in the concourse cried that they had seen a spirit glide across the little casement window of the Bowyer’s house— A dead silence succeeded.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After a short time some of the flushed and heated throng laid down their arms and softly carried the body within doors.
air
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From this reading A low wail was heard in the air,—many people in the concourse cried that they had seen a spirit glide across the little casement window of the Bowyer’s house— A dead silence succeeded.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
apparently
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From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a short time some of the flushed and heated throng laid down their arms and softly carried the body within doors.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For a moment they stood at bay.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others fell off or slunk away in knots of two or three, others whispered together in groups, and before a numerous guard which then rode up could muster in the street, it was nearly empty.
bay
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From this reading For a moment they stood at bay.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Others fell off or slunk away in knots of two or three, others whispered together in groups, and before a numerous guard which then rode up could muster in the street, it was nearly empty.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After a short time some of the flushed and heated throng laid down their arms and softly carried the body within doors.
Bowyer's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A low wail was heard in the air,—many people in the concourse cried that they had seen a spirit glide across the little casement window of the Bowyer’s house— A dead silence succeeded.
brain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
carried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a short time some of the flushed and heated throng laid down their arms and softly carried the body within doors.
casement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A low wail was heard in the air,—many people in the concourse cried that they had seen a spirit glide across the little casement window of the Bowyer’s house— A dead silence succeeded.
concourse
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From this reading A low wail was heard in the air,—many people in the concourse cried that they had seen a spirit glide across the little casement window of the Bowyer’s house— A dead silence succeeded.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Others fell off or slunk away in knots of two or three, others whispered together in groups, and before a numerous guard which then rode up could muster in the street, it was nearly empty.
criednounUS /cried/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A low wail was heard in the air,—many people in the concourse cried that they had seen a spirit glide across the little casement window of the Bowyer’s house— A dead silence succeeded.
deadnounUS /dead/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
doors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a short time some of the flushed and heated throng laid down their arms and softly carried the body within doors.
down
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From this reading After a short time some of the flushed and heated throng laid down their arms and softly carried the body within doors.
empty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others fell off or slunk away in knots of two or three, others whispered together in groups, and before a numerous guard which then rode up could muster in the street, it was nearly empty.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
fired
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From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
flushed
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From this reading After a short time some of the flushed and heated throng laid down their arms and softly carried the body within doors.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a moment they stood at bay.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
gained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
glide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A low wail was heard in the air,—many people in the concourse cried that they had seen a spirit glide across the little casement window of the Bowyer’s house— A dead silence succeeded.
Graham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
groups
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others fell off or slunk away in knots of two or three, others whispered together in groups, and before a numerous guard which then rode up could muster in the street, it was nearly empty.
guard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others fell off or slunk away in knots of two or three, others whispered together in groups, and before a numerous guard which then rode up could muster in the street, it was nearly empty.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A low wail was heard in the air,—many people in the concourse cried that they had seen a spirit glide across the little casement window of the Bowyer’s house— A dead silence succeeded.
heated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a short time some of the flushed and heated throng laid down their arms and softly carried the body within doors.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A low wail was heard in the air,—many people in the concourse cried that they had seen a spirit glide across the little casement window of the Bowyer’s house— A dead silence succeeded.
houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Others fell off or slunk away in knots of two or three, others whispered together in groups, and before a numerous guard which then rode up could muster in the street, it was nearly empty.
knots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others fell off or slunk away in knots of two or three, others whispered together in groups, and before a numerous guard which then rode up could muster in the street, it was nearly empty.
laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a short time some of the flushed and heated throng laid down their arms and softly carried the body within doors.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A low wail was heard in the air,—many people in the concourse cried that they had seen a spirit glide across the little casement window of the Bowyer’s house— A dead silence succeeded.
low
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A low wail was heard in the air,—many people in the concourse cried that they had seen a spirit glide across the little casement window of the Bowyer’s house— A dead silence succeeded.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A low wail was heard in the air,—many people in the concourse cried that they had seen a spirit glide across the little casement window of the Bowyer’s house— A dead silence succeeded.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment they stood at bay.
muster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others fell off or slunk away in knots of two or three, others whispered together in groups, and before a numerous guard which then rode up could muster in the street, it was nearly empty.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others fell off or slunk away in knots of two or three, others whispered together in groups, and before a numerous guard which then rode up could muster in the street, it was nearly empty.
numerous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others fell off or slunk away in knots of two or three, others whispered together in groups, and before a numerous guard which then rode up could muster in the street, it was nearly empty.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others fell off or slunk away in knots of two or three, others whispered together in groups, and before a numerous guard which then rode up could muster in the street, it was nearly empty.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
opposite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Others fell off or slunk away in knots of two or three, others whispered together in groups, and before a numerous guard which then rode up could muster in the street, it was nearly empty.
Others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others fell off or slunk away in knots of two or three, others whispered together in groups, and before a numerous guard which then rode up could muster in the street, it was nearly empty.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A low wail was heard in the air,—many people in the concourse cried that they had seen a spirit glide across the little casement window of the Bowyer’s house— A dead silence succeeded.
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
rode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others fell off or slunk away in knots of two or three, others whispered together in groups, and before a numerous guard which then rode up could muster in the street, it was nearly empty.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A low wail was heard in the air,—many people in the concourse cried that they had seen a spirit glide across the little casement window of the Bowyer’s house— A dead silence succeeded.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading After a short time some of the flushed and heated throng laid down their arms and softly carried the body within doors.
shot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading A low wail was heard in the air,—many people in the concourse cried that they had seen a spirit glide across the little casement window of the Bowyer’s house— A dead silence succeeded.
slunk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others fell off or slunk away in knots of two or three, others whispered together in groups, and before a numerous guard which then rode up could muster in the street, it was nearly empty.
softly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a short time some of the flushed and heated throng laid down their arms and softly carried the body within doors.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
spirit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A low wail was heard in the air,—many people in the concourse cried that they had seen a spirit glide across the little casement window of the Bowyer’s house— A dead silence succeeded.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For a moment they stood at bay.
street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others fell off or slunk away in knots of two or three, others whispered together in groups, and before a numerous guard which then rode up could muster in the street, it was nearly empty.
strucknounUS /struck/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
succeeded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A low wail was heard in the air,—many people in the concourse cried that they had seen a spirit glide across the little casement window of the Bowyer’s house— A dead silence succeeded.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading After a short time some of the flushed and heated throng laid down their arms and softly carried the body within doors.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others fell off or slunk away in knots of two or three, others whispered together in groups, and before a numerous guard which then rode up could muster in the street, it was nearly empty.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For a moment they stood at bay.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others fell off or slunk away in knots of two or three, others whispered together in groups, and before a numerous guard which then rode up could muster in the street, it was nearly empty.
throng
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a short time some of the flushed and heated throng laid down their arms and softly carried the body within doors.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After a short time some of the flushed and heated throng laid down their arms and softly carried the body within doors.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others fell off or slunk away in knots of two or three, others whispered together in groups, and before a numerous guard which then rode up could muster in the street, it was nearly empty.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others fell off or slunk away in knots of two or three, others whispered together in groups, and before a numerous guard which then rode up could muster in the street, it was nearly empty.
unseen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others fell off or slunk away in knots of two or three, others whispered together in groups, and before a numerous guard which then rode up could muster in the street, it was nearly empty.
wail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A low wail was heard in the air,—many people in the concourse cried that they had seen a spirit glide across the little casement window of the Bowyer’s house— A dead silence succeeded.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A low wail was heard in the air,—many people in the concourse cried that they had seen a spirit glide across the little casement window of the Bowyer’s house— A dead silence succeeded.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Others fell off or slunk away in knots of two or three, others whispered together in groups, and before a numerous guard which then rode up could muster in the street, it was nearly empty.
whispered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others fell off or slunk away in knots of two or three, others whispered together in groups, and before a numerous guard which then rode up could muster in the street, it was nearly empty.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading At that moment a shot from an unseen hand, apparently fired by some person who had gained access to one of the opposite houses, struck Graham in the brain, and he fell dead.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A low wail was heard in the air,—many people in the concourse cried that they had seen a spirit glide across the little casement window of the Bowyer’s house— A dead silence succeeded.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading After a short time some of the flushed and heated throng laid down their arms and softly carried the body within doors.
