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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 As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Then, as we walked forward along the way kept clear for us through the enormous crowd of curious citizens, Babila at last met the tall, patriarchal-looking man in command of the city-gate.
amazed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GAINING the summit and entering the ponderous gate closely behind old Babila, I was amazed at the bewildering aspect of the gigantic city.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading GAINING the summit and entering the ponderous gate closely behind old Babila, I was amazed at the bewildering aspect of the gigantic city.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
aspect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GAINING the summit and entering the ponderous gate closely behind old Babila, I was amazed at the bewildering aspect of the gigantic city.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading GAINING the summit and entering the ponderous gate closely behind old Babila, I was amazed at the bewildering aspect of the gigantic city.
Babila
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From this reading GAINING the summit and entering the ponderous gate closely behind old Babila, I was amazed at the bewildering aspect of the gigantic city.
bats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading GAINING the summit and entering the ponderous gate closely behind old Babila, I was amazed at the bewildering aspect of the gigantic city.
bewildering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GAINING the summit and entering the ponderous gate closely behind old Babila, I was amazed at the bewildering aspect of the gigantic city.
blown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
citizens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as we walked forward along the way kept clear for us through the enormous crowd of curious citizens, Babila at last met the tall, patriarchal-looking man in command of the city-gate.
city
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GAINING the summit and entering the ponderous gate closely behind old Babila, I was amazed at the bewildering aspect of the gigantic city.
city-gate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as we walked forward along the way kept clear for us through the enormous crowd of curious citizens, Babila at last met the tall, patriarchal-looking man in command of the city-gate.
clear
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From this reading Then, as we walked forward along the way kept clear for us through the enormous crowd of curious citizens, Babila at last met the tall, patriarchal-looking man in command of the city-gate.
closely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GAINING the summit and entering the ponderous gate closely behind old Babila, I was amazed at the bewildering aspect of the gigantic city.
command
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as we walked forward along the way kept clear for us through the enormous crowd of curious citizens, Babila at last met the tall, patriarchal-looking man in command of the city-gate.
criednounUS /cried/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Lo!" he cried.
crowd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as we walked forward along the way kept clear for us through the enormous crowd of curious citizens, Babila at last met the tall, patriarchal-looking man in command of the city-gate.
curious
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From this reading Then, as we walked forward along the way kept clear for us through the enormous crowd of curious citizens, Babila at last met the tall, patriarchal-looking man in command of the city-gate.
deafening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
drummers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
drums
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
ear-piercing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
enormous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as we walked forward along the way kept clear for us through the enormous crowd of curious citizens, Babila at last met the tall, patriarchal-looking man in command of the city-gate.
entering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GAINING the summit and entering the ponderous gate closely behind old Babila, I was amazed at the bewildering aspect of the gigantic city.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Then, as we walked forward along the way kept clear for us through the enormous crowd of curious citizens, Babila at last met the tall, patriarchal-looking man in command of the city-gate.
forth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then, as we walked forward along the way kept clear for us through the enormous crowd of curious citizens, Babila at last met the tall, patriarchal-looking man in command of the city-gate.
GAINING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GAINING the summit and entering the ponderous gate closely behind old Babila, I was amazed at the bewildering aspect of the gigantic city.
gate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GAINING the summit and entering the ponderous gate closely behind old Babila, I was amazed at the bewildering aspect of the gigantic city.
gigantic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GAINING the summit and entering the ponderous gate closely behind old Babila, I was amazed at the bewildering aspect of the gigantic city.
golden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
GREATnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE GREAT WHITE QUEEN.
guns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Lo!" he cried.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
horns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
huge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading GAINING the summit and entering the ponderous gate closely behind old Babila, I was amazed at the bewildering aspect of the gigantic city.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then, as we walked forward along the way kept clear for us through the enormous crowd of curious citizens, Babila at last met the tall, patriarchal-looking man in command of the city-gate.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as we walked forward along the way kept clear for us through the enormous crowd of curious citizens, Babila at last met the tall, patriarchal-looking man in command of the city-gate.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then, as we walked forward along the way kept clear for us through the enormous crowd of curious citizens, Babila at last met the tall, patriarchal-looking man in command of the city-gate.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
Lo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Lo!" he cried.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as we walked forward along the way kept clear for us through the enormous crowd of curious citizens, Babila at last met the tall, patriarchal-looking man in command of the city-gate.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as we walked forward along the way kept clear for us through the enormous crowd of curious citizens, Babila at last met the tall, patriarchal-looking man in command of the city-gate.
mounted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading GAINING the summit and entering the ponderous gate closely behind old Babila, I was amazed at the bewildering aspect of the gigantic city.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GAINING the summit and entering the ponderous gate closely behind old Babila, I was amazed at the bewildering aspect of the gigantic city.
Omar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
ornamented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
outspread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
patriarchal-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as we walked forward along the way kept clear for us through the enormous crowd of curious citizens, Babila at last met the tall, patriarchal-looking man in command of the city-gate.
perspiring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
placed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
ponderous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GAINING the summit and entering the ponderous gate closely behind old Babila, I was amazed at the bewildering aspect of the gigantic city.
QUEEN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GREAT WHITE QUEEN.
salute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
summit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GAINING the summit and entering the ponderous gate closely behind old Babila, I was amazed at the bewildering aspect of the gigantic city.
tall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as we walked forward along the way kept clear for us through the enormous crowd of curious citizens, Babila at last met the tall, patriarchal-looking man in command of the city-gate.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE GREAT WHITE QUEEN.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as we walked forward along the way kept clear for us through the enormous crowd of curious citizens, Babila at last met the tall, patriarchal-looking man in command of the city-gate.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Then, as we walked forward along the way kept clear for us through the enormous crowd of curious citizens, Babila at last met the tall, patriarchal-looking man in command of the city-gate.
thumped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
thundered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then, as we walked forward along the way kept clear for us through the enormous crowd of curious citizens, Babila at last met the tall, patriarchal-looking man in command of the city-gate.
vehemence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
walked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as we walked forward along the way kept clear for us through the enormous crowd of curious citizens, Babila at last met the tall, patriarchal-looking man in command of the city-gate.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading GAINING the summit and entering the ponderous gate closely behind old Babila, I was amazed at the bewildering aspect of the gigantic city.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as we walked forward along the way kept clear for us through the enormous crowd of curious citizens, Babila at last met the tall, patriarchal-looking man in command of the city-gate.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Then, as we walked forward along the way kept clear for us through the enormous crowd of curious citizens, Babila at last met the tall, patriarchal-looking man in command of the city-gate.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
WHITE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GREAT WHITE QUEEN.
wings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading As Omar placed his foot upon the top step, great drums, ornamented by golden bats with outspread wings, were thumped by a perspiring line of drummers, horns were blown with ear-piercing vehemence, and the huge guns mounted on the walls thundered forth a deafening salute.
