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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 Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
active
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
ascended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
backwards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
blew
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From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
bones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
capable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
cat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
chaffing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
chilling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
climbed
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From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
clothing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
compelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
cords
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
dreaded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
earth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
fall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
fear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
fearfully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
grip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
halting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
higher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
increase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
ladder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
lithe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
lose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
mischievously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
MYSTERIOUSadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/
difficult to explain or understand
From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS REALM.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
Omar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
progress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
REALM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS REALM.
ropes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
scantyadjectiveUS /ˈskænti/
small or barely sufficient in amount
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
shakingnounUS /ˈshaking/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
SOconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
springing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
straining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
strongly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
swayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
tardy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS REALM.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
unsteady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
wet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
whistled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
