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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 The wall, behind them, having completed the circle which it described upon itself, closed again; and the two men stood motionless for a moment, holding their breath.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The wall, behind them, having completed the circle which it described upon itself, closed again; and the two men stood motionless for a moment, holding their breath.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The wall, behind them, having completed the circle which it described upon itself, closed again; and the two men stood motionless for a moment, holding their breath.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Suddenly, the darkness was made visible by a small dark lantern and Raoul instinctively stepped backward as though to escape the scrutiny of a secret enemy.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At last, the Persian decided to make a movement; and Raoul heard him slip on his knees and feel for something in the dark with his groping hands.
backward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, the darkness was made visible by a small dark lantern and Raoul instinctively stepped backward as though to escape the scrutiny of a secret enemy.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The wall, behind them, having completed the circle which it described upon itself, closed again; and the two men stood motionless for a moment, holding their breath.
belonged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he soon perceived that the light belonged to the Persian, whose movements he was closely observing.
breath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wall, behind them, having completed the circle which it described upon itself, closed again; and the two men stood motionless for a moment, holding their breath.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he soon perceived that the light belonged to the Persian, whose movements he was closely observing.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Suddenly, the darkness was made visible by a small dark lantern and Raoul instinctively stepped backward as though to escape the scrutiny of a secret enemy.
circle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wall, behind them, having completed the circle which it described upon itself, closed again; and the two men stood motionless for a moment, holding their breath.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wall, behind them, having completed the circle which it described upon itself, closed again; and the two men stood motionless for a moment, holding their breath.
closely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he soon perceived that the light belonged to the Persian, whose movements he was closely observing.
companion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your hand high, ready to fire!" repeated Raoul's companion quickly.
completed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wall, behind them, having completed the circle which it described upon itself, closed again; and the two men stood motionless for a moment, holding their breath.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, the Persian decided to make a movement; and Raoul heard him slip on his knees and feel for something in the dark with his groping hands.
darkness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, the darkness was made visible by a small dark lantern and Raoul instinctively stepped backward as though to escape the scrutiny of a secret enemy.
decided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, the Persian decided to make a movement; and Raoul heard him slip on his knees and feel for something in the dark with his groping hands.
described
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wall, behind them, having completed the circle which it described upon itself, closed again; and the two men stood motionless for a moment, holding their breath.
enemy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, the darkness was made visible by a small dark lantern and Raoul instinctively stepped backward as though to escape the scrutiny of a secret enemy.
escape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, the darkness was made visible by a small dark lantern and Raoul instinctively stepped backward as though to escape the scrutiny of a secret enemy.
feel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, the Persian decided to make a movement; and Raoul heard him slip on his knees and feel for something in the dark with his groping hands.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your hand high, ready to fire!" repeated Raoul's companion quickly.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The wall, behind them, having completed the circle which it described upon itself, closed again; and the two men stood motionless for a moment, holding their breath.
groping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, the Persian decided to make a movement; and Raoul heard him slip on his knees and feel for something in the dark with his groping hands.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your hand high, ready to fire!" repeated Raoul's companion quickly.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading At last, the Persian decided to make a movement; and Raoul heard him slip on his knees and feel for something in the dark with his groping hands.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The wall, behind them, having completed the circle which it described upon itself, closed again; and the two men stood motionless for a moment, holding their breath.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But he soon perceived that the light belonged to the Persian, whose movements he was closely observing.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, the Persian decided to make a movement; and Raoul heard him slip on his knees and feel for something in the dark with his groping hands.
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading "Your hand high, ready to fire!" repeated Raoul's companion quickly.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At last, the Persian decided to make a movement; and Raoul heard him slip on his knees and feel for something in the dark with his groping hands.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At last, the Persian decided to make a movement; and Raoul heard him slip on his knees and feel for something in the dark with his groping hands.
holding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wall, behind them, having completed the circle which it described upon itself, closed again; and the two men stood motionless for a moment, holding their breath.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At last, the Persian decided to make a movement; and Raoul heard him slip on his knees and feel for something in the dark with his groping hands.
instinctively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, the darkness was made visible by a small dark lantern and Raoul instinctively stepped backward as though to escape the scrutiny of a secret enemy.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The wall, behind them, having completed the circle which it described upon itself, closed again; and the two men stood motionless for a moment, holding their breath.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The wall, behind them, having completed the circle which it described upon itself, closed again; and the two men stood motionless for a moment, holding their breath.
knees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, the Persian decided to make a movement; and Raoul heard him slip on his knees and feel for something in the dark with his groping hands.
lantern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, the darkness was made visible by a small dark lantern and Raoul instinctively stepped backward as though to escape the scrutiny of a secret enemy.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At last, the Persian decided to make a movement; and Raoul heard him slip on his knees and feel for something in the dark with his groping hands.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he soon perceived that the light belonged to the Persian, whose movements he was closely observing.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, the darkness was made visible by a small dark lantern and Raoul instinctively stepped backward as though to escape the scrutiny of a secret enemy.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At last, the Persian decided to make a movement; and Raoul heard him slip on his knees and feel for something in the dark with his groping hands.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wall, behind them, having completed the circle which it described upon itself, closed again; and the two men stood motionless for a moment, holding their breath.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wall, behind them, having completed the circle which it described upon itself, closed again; and the two men stood motionless for a moment, holding their breath.
motionless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wall, behind them, having completed the circle which it described upon itself, closed again; and the two men stood motionless for a moment, holding their breath.
movement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, the Persian decided to make a movement; and Raoul heard him slip on his knees and feel for something in the dark with his groping hands.
movements
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he soon perceived that the light belonged to the Persian, whose movements he was closely observing.
observing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he soon perceived that the light belonged to the Persian, whose movements he was closely observing.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Suddenly, the darkness was made visible by a small dark lantern and Raoul instinctively stepped backward as though to escape the scrutiny of a secret enemy.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At last, the Persian decided to make a movement; and Raoul heard him slip on his knees and feel for something in the dark with his groping hands.
perceived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he soon perceived that the light belonged to the Persian, whose movements he was closely observing.
Persian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, the Persian decided to make a movement; and Raoul heard him slip on his knees and feel for something in the dark with his groping hands.
quickly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your hand high, ready to fire!" repeated Raoul's companion quickly.
Raoul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, the Persian decided to make a movement; and Raoul heard him slip on his knees and feel for something in the dark with his groping hands.
Raoul's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your hand high, ready to fire!" repeated Raoul's companion quickly.
ready
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your hand high, ready to fire!" repeated Raoul's companion quickly.
repeatednounUS /repeated/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Your hand high, ready to fire!" repeated Raoul's companion quickly.
scrutiny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, the darkness was made visible by a small dark lantern and Raoul instinctively stepped backward as though to escape the scrutiny of a secret enemy.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Suddenly, the darkness was made visible by a small dark lantern and Raoul instinctively stepped backward as though to escape the scrutiny of a secret enemy.
slip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, the Persian decided to make a movement; and Raoul heard him slip on his knees and feel for something in the dark with his groping hands.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, the darkness was made visible by a small dark lantern and Raoul instinctively stepped backward as though to escape the scrutiny of a secret enemy.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading At last, the Persian decided to make a movement; and Raoul heard him slip on his knees and feel for something in the dark with his groping hands.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he soon perceived that the light belonged to the Persian, whose movements he was closely observing.
stepped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, the darkness was made visible by a small dark lantern and Raoul instinctively stepped backward as though to escape the scrutiny of a secret enemy.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The wall, behind them, having completed the circle which it described upon itself, closed again; and the two men stood motionless for a moment, holding their breath.
SuddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Suddenly, the darkness was made visible by a small dark lantern and Raoul instinctively stepped backward as though to escape the scrutiny of a secret enemy.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But he soon perceived that the light belonged to the Persian, whose movements he was closely observing.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The wall, behind them, having completed the circle which it described upon itself, closed again; and the two men stood motionless for a moment, holding their breath.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The wall, behind them, having completed the circle which it described upon itself, closed again; and the two men stood motionless for a moment, holding their breath.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The wall, behind them, having completed the circle which it described upon itself, closed again; and the two men stood motionless for a moment, holding their breath.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Suddenly, the darkness was made visible by a small dark lantern and Raoul instinctively stepped backward as though to escape the scrutiny of a secret enemy.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Your hand high, ready to fire!" repeated Raoul's companion quickly.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wall, behind them, having completed the circle which it described upon itself, closed again; and the two men stood motionless for a moment, holding their breath.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The wall, behind them, having completed the circle which it described upon itself, closed again; and the two men stood motionless for a moment, holding their breath.
visible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, the darkness was made visible by a small dark lantern and Raoul instinctively stepped backward as though to escape the scrutiny of a secret enemy.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wall, behind them, having completed the circle which it described upon itself, closed again; and the two men stood motionless for a moment, holding their breath.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Suddenly, the darkness was made visible by a small dark lantern and Raoul instinctively stepped backward as though to escape the scrutiny of a secret enemy.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The wall, behind them, having completed the circle which it described upon itself, closed again; and the two men stood motionless for a moment, holding their breath.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading But he soon perceived that the light belonged to the Persian, whose movements he was closely observing.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading At last, the Persian decided to make a movement; and Raoul heard him slip on his knees and feel for something in the dark with his groping hands.
YourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Your hand high, ready to fire!" repeated Raoul's companion quickly.
