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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 Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was a few minutes after the sailing time, and as the lady stepped on board a rope fell with a splash.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Richard Blake hurried along the wharf and, on reaching the gangplank, stood aside to let an elderly lady pass.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Richard Blake hurried along the wharf and, on reaching the gangplank, stood aside to let an elderly lady pass.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was a few minutes after the sailing time, and as the lady stepped on board a rope fell with a splash.
aside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Richard Blake hurried along the wharf and, on reaching the gangplank, stood aside to let an elderly lady pass.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
Blake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Richard Blake hurried along the wharf and, on reaching the gangplank, stood aside to let an elderly lady pass.
blazed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
board
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a few minutes after the sailing time, and as the lady stepped on board a rope fell with a splash.
bold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
broad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She was followed by her maid and a girl whose face he could not see.
cast
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From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
city
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She was followed by her maid and a girl whose face he could not see.
decks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
Dusk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
elderly
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From this reading Richard Blake hurried along the wharf and, on reaching the gangplank, stood aside to let an elderly lady pass.
face
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From this reading She was followed by her maid and a girl whose face he could not see.
fading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
falling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a few minutes after the sailing time, and as the lady stepped on board a rope fell with a splash.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a few minutes after the sailing time, and as the lady stepped on board a rope fell with a splash.
followed
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From this reading She was followed by her maid and a girl whose face he could not see.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
gangplank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Richard Blake hurried along the wharf and, on reaching the gangplank, stood aside to let an elderly lady pass.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was followed by her maid and a girl whose face he could not see.
gleam
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From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was followed by her maid and a girl whose face he could not see.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
hurried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Richard Blake hurried along the wharf and, on reaching the gangplank, stood aside to let an elderly lady pass.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a few minutes after the sailing time, and as the lady stepped on board a rope fell with a splash.
lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Richard Blake hurried along the wharf and, on reaching the gangplank, stood aside to let an elderly lady pass.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Richard Blake hurried along the wharf and, on reaching the gangplank, stood aside to let an elderly lady pass.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
maid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was followed by her maid and a girl whose face he could not see.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a few minutes after the sailing time, and as the lady stepped on board a rope fell with a splash.
moorings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She was followed by her maid and a girl whose face he could not see.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
pass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Richard Blake hurried along the wharf and, on reaching the gangplank, stood aside to let an elderly lady pass.
passengers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
preparing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
reaching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Richard Blake hurried along the wharf and, on reaching the gangplank, stood aside to let an elderly lady pass.
receiving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
Richard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Richard Blake hurried along the wharf and, on reaching the gangplank, stood aside to let an elderly lady pass.
ridge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
rope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a few minutes after the sailing time, and as the lady stepped on board a rope fell with a splash.
sailing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a few minutes after the sailing time, and as the lady stepped on board a rope fell with a splash.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was followed by her maid and a girl whose face he could not see.
sharp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was followed by her maid and a girl whose face he could not see.
sheds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
sidewheel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
sky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
splash
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a few minutes after the sailing time, and as the lady stepped on board a rope fell with a splash.
spotlessly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
steamer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
stepped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a few minutes after the sailing time, and as the lady stepped on board a rope fell with a splash.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
tiers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was a few minutes after the sailing time, and as the lady stepped on board a rope fell with a splash.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
towered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
western
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky.
wharf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Richard Blake hurried along the wharf and, on reaching the gangplank, stood aside to let an elderly lady pass.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading She was followed by her maid and a girl whose face he could not see.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading A big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings.
