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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 designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
absolutely
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From this reading It seemed absolutely impossible to obtain authentic information.
aim
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From this reading To have believed them would have been to have believed that the enemy had the power of marching in a dozen different directions at one and the same time, for each story gave the enemy a different starting point, and a different aim and purpose to their movements.
aimed
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From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The stories brought in by the stragglers and prisoners were wild and improbable in the extreme.
anxious
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From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
army
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From this reading The Union army lay impatiently waiting until the plans of the leader of the Rebel troops could be fathomed.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading To have believed them would have been to have believed that the enemy had the power of marching in a dozen different directions at one and the same time, for each story gave the enemy a different starting point, and a different aim and purpose to their movements.
attack
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From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
authentic
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From this reading It seemed absolutely impossible to obtain authentic information.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The Union army lay impatiently waiting until the plans of the leader of the Rebel troops could be fathomed.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading To have believed them would have been to have believed that the enemy had the power of marching in a dozen different directions at one and the same time, for each story gave the enemy a different starting point, and a different aim and purpose to their movements.
believed
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From this reading To have believed them would have been to have believed that the enemy had the power of marching in a dozen different directions at one and the same time, for each story gave the enemy a different starting point, and a different aim and purpose to their movements.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The stories brought in by the stragglers and prisoners were wild and improbable in the extreme.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The stories brought in by the stragglers and prisoners were wild and improbable in the extreme.
cities
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From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The Union army lay impatiently waiting until the plans of the leader of the Rebel troops could be fathomed.
designs
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From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
determine
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From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading To have believed them would have been to have believed that the enemy had the power of marching in a dozen different directions at one and the same time, for each story gave the enemy a different starting point, and a different aim and purpose to their movements.
directions
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From this reading To have believed them would have been to have believed that the enemy had the power of marching in a dozen different directions at one and the same time, for each story gave the enemy a different starting point, and a different aim and purpose to their movements.
dozen
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From this reading To have believed them would have been to have believed that the enemy had the power of marching in a dozen different directions at one and the same time, for each story gave the enemy a different starting point, and a different aim and purpose to their movements.
draw
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From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading To have believed them would have been to have believed that the enemy had the power of marching in a dozen different directions at one and the same time, for each story gave the enemy a different starting point, and a different aim and purpose to their movements.
enemy
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From this reading To have believed them would have been to have believed that the enemy had the power of marching in a dozen different directions at one and the same time, for each story gave the enemy a different starting point, and a different aim and purpose to their movements.
extreme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stories brought in by the stragglers and prisoners were wild and improbable in the extreme.
fathomed
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From this reading The Union army lay impatiently waiting until the plans of the leader of the Rebel troops could be fathomed.
feint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading To have believed them would have been to have believed that the enemy had the power of marching in a dozen different directions at one and the same time, for each story gave the enemy a different starting point, and a different aim and purpose to their movements.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To have believed them would have been to have believed that the enemy had the power of marching in a dozen different directions at one and the same time, for each story gave the enemy a different starting point, and a different aim and purpose to their movements.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To have believed them would have been to have believed that the enemy had the power of marching in a dozen different directions at one and the same time, for each story gave the enemy a different starting point, and a different aim and purpose to their movements.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading To have believed them would have been to have believed that the enemy had the power of marching in a dozen different directions at one and the same time, for each story gave the enemy a different starting point, and a different aim and purpose to their movements.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
impatiently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Union army lay impatiently waiting until the plans of the leader of the Rebel troops could be fathomed.
impossible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed absolutely impossible to obtain authentic information.
improbable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stories brought in by the stragglers and prisoners were wild and improbable in the extreme.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
information
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From this reading It seemed absolutely impossible to obtain authentic information.
invasion
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From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed absolutely impossible to obtain authentic information.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Union army lay impatiently waiting until the plans of the leader of the Rebel troops could be fathomed.
leader
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Union army lay impatiently waiting until the plans of the leader of the Rebel troops could be fathomed.
marching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To have believed them would have been to have believed that the enemy had the power of marching in a dozen different directions at one and the same time, for each story gave the enemy a different starting point, and a different aim and purpose to their movements.
Maryland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
movements
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To have believed them would have been to have believed that the enemy had the power of marching in a dozen different directions at one and the same time, for each story gave the enemy a different starting point, and a different aim and purpose to their movements.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
mystery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
Northern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
obtainverbUS /əbˈteɪn/
to get something, especially through effort
From this reading It seemed absolutely impossible to obtain authentic information.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Union army lay impatiently waiting until the plans of the leader of the Rebel troops could be fathomed.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading To have believed them would have been to have believed that the enemy had the power of marching in a dozen different directions at one and the same time, for each story gave the enemy a different starting point, and a different aim and purpose to their movements.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
plans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Union army lay impatiently waiting until the plans of the leader of the Rebel troops could be fathomed.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading To have believed them would have been to have believed that the enemy had the power of marching in a dozen different directions at one and the same time, for each story gave the enemy a different starting point, and a different aim and purpose to their movements.
points
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
power
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To have believed them would have been to have believed that the enemy had the power of marching in a dozen different directions at one and the same time, for each story gave the enemy a different starting point, and a different aim and purpose to their movements.
prisoners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stories brought in by the stragglers and prisoners were wild and improbable in the extreme.
protecting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
purpose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To have believed them would have been to have believed that the enemy had the power of marching in a dozen different directions at one and the same time, for each story gave the enemy a different starting point, and a different aim and purpose to their movements.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
Rebel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Union army lay impatiently waiting until the plans of the leader of the Rebel troops could be fathomed.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To have believed them would have been to have believed that the enemy had the power of marching in a dozen different directions at one and the same time, for each story gave the enemy a different starting point, and a different aim and purpose to their movements.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It seemed absolutely impossible to obtain authentic information.
shrouded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
starting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To have believed them would have been to have believed that the enemy had the power of marching in a dozen different directions at one and the same time, for each story gave the enemy a different starting point, and a different aim and purpose to their movements.
stories
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stories brought in by the stragglers and prisoners were wild and improbable in the extreme.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To have believed them would have been to have believed that the enemy had the power of marching in a dozen different directions at one and the same time, for each story gave the enemy a different starting point, and a different aim and purpose to their movements.
stragglers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stories brought in by the stragglers and prisoners were wild and improbable in the extreme.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Union army lay impatiently waiting until the plans of the leader of the Rebel troops could be fathomed.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading To have believed them would have been to have believed that the enemy had the power of marching in a dozen different directions at one and the same time, for each story gave the enemy a different starting point, and a different aim and purpose to their movements.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading To have believed them would have been to have believed that the enemy had the power of marching in a dozen different directions at one and the same time, for each story gave the enemy a different starting point, and a different aim and purpose to their movements.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To have believed them would have been to have believed that the enemy had the power of marching in a dozen different directions at one and the same time, for each story gave the enemy a different starting point, and a different aim and purpose to their movements.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
troops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Union army lay impatiently waiting until the plans of the leader of the Rebel troops could be fathomed.
Union
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Union army lay impatiently waiting until the plans of the leader of the Rebel troops could be fathomed.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The Union army lay impatiently waiting until the plans of the leader of the Rebel troops could be fathomed.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Union army lay impatiently waiting until the plans of the leader of the Rebel troops could be fathomed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
watchers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading His designs were shrouded in so much mystery that the anxious watchers could not determine whether the invasion of Maryland was only a feint to draw off the Union troops from the points they were protecting, or whether he really aimed to attack the Northern cities.
wild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stories brought in by the stragglers and prisoners were wild and improbable in the extreme.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading To have believed them would have been to have believed that the enemy had the power of marching in a dozen different directions at one and the same time, for each story gave the enemy a different starting point, and a different aim and purpose to their movements.
