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The Green Millennium
The Green Millennium

Chapter III

Cover illustration for The Green Millennium
Context Illustration Reading 1/79 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
His foot, shifting on the foam carpeting, made a tiny noise.
Instantly she whirled on him like a black panther, complete even to the shrill snarl.
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 like a fencer, she waggled it rapidly under his chin.
"Did my father set you to spy on me?" she demanded.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Green Millennium

Chapter III

Reading 1/79 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
His foot, shifting on the foam carpeting, made a tiny noise.
Line 2
Instantly she whirled on him like a black panther, complete even to the shrill snarl.
Line 3
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.
Line 4
Poised like a fencer, she waggled it rapidly under his chin.
Line 5
"Did my father set you to spy on me?" she demanded.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

About preposition US /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.”

Complete noun US /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.”

Even noun US /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.”

First noun US /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.”

Foot noun US /foot/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His foot, shifting on the foam carpeting, made a tiny noise.”

Great noun US /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.”

Hand noun US /hand/

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.”

Left noun US /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.”

Right noun US /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.”

Second noun US /second/

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.”

Short adjective US /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.”

Silver noun US /silver/

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.”

Thought noun US /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.”

Tipped noun US /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.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “Poised like a fencer, she waggled it rapidly under his chin.”

While conjunction US /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.”

All words in this reading · 99

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

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

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.

bosom

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.

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

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.

demanded

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.

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

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.

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

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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

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From this reading Poised like a fencer, she waggled it rapidly under his chin.

rapidly

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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.