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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 His foot, shifting on the foam carpeting, made a tiny noise.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
anachronism
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
attention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
black
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From this reading Instantly she whirled on him like a black panther, complete even to the shrill snarl.
bosom
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From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
cape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
carpeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His foot, shifting on the foam carpeting, made a tiny noise.
chin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Poised like a fencer, she waggled it rapidly under his chin.
clawed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
completenounUS /complete/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Instantly she whirled on him like a black panther, complete even to the shrill snarl.
deal
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From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
demanded
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From this reading "Did my father set you to spy on me?" she demanded.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
disturbing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Instantly she whirled on him like a black panther, complete even to the shrill snarl.
evening
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From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Did my father set you to spy on me?" she demanded.
fencer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Poised like a fencer, she waggled it rapidly under his chin.
fingers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
foam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His foot, shifting on the foam carpeting, made a tiny noise.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His foot, shifting on the foam carpeting, made a tiny noise.
frock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
getting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
gleaming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Instantly she whirled on him like a black panther, complete even to the shrill snarl.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His foot, shifting on the foam carpeting, made a tiny noise.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
inches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
Instantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly she whirled on him like a black panther, complete even to the shrill snarl.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Poised like a fencer, she waggled it rapidly under his chin.
knife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
level
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly she whirled on him like a black panther, complete even to the shrill snarl.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His foot, shifting on the foam carpeting, made a tiny noise.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Did my father set you to spy on me?" she demanded.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Did my father set you to spy on me?" she demanded.
noise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His foot, shifting on the foam carpeting, made a tiny noise.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His foot, shifting on the foam carpeting, made a tiny noise.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
panther
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly she whirled on him like a black panther, complete even to the shrill snarl.
Phil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
Poised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Poised like a fencer, she waggled it rapidly under his chin.
rapidly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Poised like a fencer, she waggled it rapidly under his chin.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
revealed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
rocked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Did my father set you to spy on me?" she demanded.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Instantly she whirled on him like a black panther, complete even to the shrill snarl.
shifting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His foot, shifting on the foam carpeting, made a tiny noise.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
shrill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly she whirled on him like a black panther, complete even to the shrill snarl.
silver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
snarl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly she whirled on him like a black panther, complete even to the shrill snarl.
social
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
spun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
spy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Did my father set you to spy on me?" she demanded.
style
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
surprises
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading His foot, shifting on the foam carpeting, made a tiny noise.
thimbles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
tiny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His foot, shifting on the foam carpeting, made a tiny noise.
tippednounUS /tipped/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Instantly she whirled on him like a black panther, complete even to the shrill snarl.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Poised like a fencer, she waggled it rapidly under his chin.
waggled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Poised like a fencer, she waggled it rapidly under his chin.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
whirled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly she whirled on him like a black panther, complete even to the shrill snarl.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading As she did, Phil was rocked by two surprises: the first, revealed when her short cape spun out, that her evening frock was off the bosom, a style he had thought and read about a great deal, but that was not followed at his social level; the second, and far more attention getting, that the fingers of her right hand were tipped with clawed, silver thimbles, while in her left she held ten gleaming inches of that most disturbing anachronism, a knife.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Did my father set you to spy on me?" she demanded.