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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 Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.
also
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From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.
assure
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From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.
authority
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From this reading He clung to them—they were his badge of authority, of power.
back
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From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.
badge
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From this reading He clung to them—they were his badge of authority, of power.
bag
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From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.
casement
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From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.
chamber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.
circled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.
clungnounUS /clung/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He clung to them—they were his badge of authority, of power.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.
elbow
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From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.
GoodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Good lad!” he muttered.
grunt
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From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.
hid
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From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.
keys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.
lad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Good lad!” he muttered.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.
low
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.
master
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.
mutteredverbUS /ˈmʌtərd/
spoke in a low voice that was difficult to hear
From this reading “Good lad!” he muttered.
oak-panelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.
painfully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.
pillow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.
power
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He clung to them—they were his badge of authority, of power.
presence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.
raised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.
reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/
a feeling of comfort after worry or pain
From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.
sank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.
shabby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.
sightless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.
spacious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.
Squire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.
tester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He clung to them—they were his badge of authority, of power.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He clung to them—they were his badge of authority, of power.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.
touch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.
uneven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He clung to them—they were his badge of authority, of power.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.
wide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.