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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 Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
asleep
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From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.
away
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From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
awoke
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From this reading It was barely daylight when Valerie awoke.
barely
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From this reading It was barely daylight when Valerie awoke.
bed
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From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.
birds
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From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
caught
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From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.
ceaseless
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From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
chorusnounUS /ˈkɔrəs/
a group singing together
From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
cocks
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From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
considering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.
cooing
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From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
couch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.
crowing
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From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
curtains
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From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
daylight
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From this reading It was barely daylight when Valerie awoke.
decision
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From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.
dim
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From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.
dreams
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From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.
dressing
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From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
eaves
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From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
eyes
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From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.
far
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From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
fled
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From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.
flight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
foot-bars
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From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.
incessant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was barely daylight when Valerie awoke.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
listening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.
looking
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From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.
low
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
lying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
noiselessly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.
penetrated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
perfectly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.
pigeons
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From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
pillows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.
remainednounUS /ˈremained/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.
remembering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.
room
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From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.
sat
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From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.
silently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.
silk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
slipped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.
staring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.
Stephanie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.
SuddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.
swiftly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.
thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
ThroughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
trace
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From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.
unfamiliar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.
upright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.
Valerie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was barely daylight when Valerie awoke.
wandering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was barely daylight when Valerie awoke.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It was barely daylight when Valerie awoke.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.
whimpering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
wide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.
windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.
