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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 one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
absence
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From this reading It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.
any
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From this reading It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.
banks
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From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.
built
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From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.
cash
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From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
closed
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From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.
comes
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From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.
detective
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
detective's
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From this reading It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.
difference
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From this reading It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.
essential
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
Expensive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.
expression
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From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.
famous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
GORDON
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From this reading GORDON TACKLES NICK’S SAFE.
greedy
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From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.
Green-eye
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From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
handy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.
instance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.
journeys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
likely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.
money
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
NICK'S
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From this reading GORDON TACKLES NICK’S SAFE.
notice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.
plenty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
profession
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
ready
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.
remainednounUS /ˈremained/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.
respect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.
SAFE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GORDON TACKLES NICK’S SAFE.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
stared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.
study
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.
sum
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
TACKLES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GORDON TACKLES NICK’S SAFE.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
undertaken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.
warning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.
ways
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.