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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 Sometimes it seemed as though they were working upwards towards us, for we could hear a pick upon the stones; and so we waited there, as terriers wait for rats.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Through the remainder of the night we kept a watchful vigil, but about four o’clock in the morning the sounds ceased, and we concluded that they had completed their work—at least for the present.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Sometimes it seemed as though they were working upwards towards us, for we could hear a pick upon the stones; and so we waited there, as terriers wait for rats.
apparently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They seemed to be at work apparently in the thickness of the ponderous wall some few feet below where we stood.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Sometimes it seemed as though they were working upwards towards us, for we could hear a pick upon the stones; and so we waited there, as terriers wait for rats.
ascertained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it possible that they had ascertained from their plan the place where the gold was hidden?
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They seemed to be at work apparently in the thickness of the ponderous wall some few feet below where we stood.
avail
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From this reading REVEALS THE DEATH-TRAP WE strained our ears to distinguish the words spoken by the men beneath us, but without avail.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They seemed to be at work apparently in the thickness of the ponderous wall some few feet below where we stood.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading They seemed to be at work apparently in the thickness of the ponderous wall some few feet below where we stood.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading REVEALS THE DEATH-TRAP WE strained our ears to distinguish the words spoken by the men beneath us, but without avail.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading REVEALS THE DEATH-TRAP WE strained our ears to distinguish the words spoken by the men beneath us, but without avail.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading REVEALS THE DEATH-TRAP WE strained our ears to distinguish the words spoken by the men beneath us, but without avail.
ceased
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From this reading Through the remainder of the night we kept a watchful vigil, but about four o’clock in the morning the sounds ceased, and we concluded that they had completed their work—at least for the present.
completed
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From this reading Through the remainder of the night we kept a watchful vigil, but about four o’clock in the morning the sounds ceased, and we concluded that they had completed their work—at least for the present.
concluded
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From this reading Through the remainder of the night we kept a watchful vigil, but about four o’clock in the morning the sounds ceased, and we concluded that they had completed their work—at least for the present.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Sometimes it seemed as though they were working upwards towards us, for we could hear a pick upon the stones; and so we waited there, as terriers wait for rats.
DEATH-TRAP
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From this reading REVEALS THE DEATH-TRAP WE strained our ears to distinguish the words spoken by the men beneath us, but without avail.
distinguish
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From this reading REVEALS THE DEATH-TRAP WE strained our ears to distinguish the words spoken by the men beneath us, but without avail.
ears
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From this reading REVEALS THE DEATH-TRAP WE strained our ears to distinguish the words spoken by the men beneath us, but without avail.
feet
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From this reading They seemed to be at work apparently in the thickness of the ponderous wall some few feet below where we stood.
few
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From this reading They seemed to be at work apparently in the thickness of the ponderous wall some few feet below where we stood.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Sometimes it seemed as though they were working upwards towards us, for we could hear a pick upon the stones; and so we waited there, as terriers wait for rats.
four
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From this reading Through the remainder of the night we kept a watchful vigil, but about four o’clock in the morning the sounds ceased, and we concluded that they had completed their work—at least for the present.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Was it possible that they had ascertained from their plan the place where the gold was hidden?
gold
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From this reading Was it possible that they had ascertained from their plan the place where the gold was hidden?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Was it possible that they had ascertained from their plan the place where the gold was hidden?
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Sometimes it seemed as though they were working upwards towards us, for we could hear a pick upon the stones; and so we waited there, as terriers wait for rats.
hidden
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From this reading Was it possible that they had ascertained from their plan the place where the gold was hidden?
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They seemed to be at work apparently in the thickness of the ponderous wall some few feet below where we stood.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Was it possible that they had ascertained from their plan the place where the gold was hidden?
kept
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From this reading Through the remainder of the night we kept a watchful vigil, but about four o’clock in the morning the sounds ceased, and we concluded that they had completed their work—at least for the present.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Through the remainder of the night we kept a watchful vigil, but about four o’clock in the morning the sounds ceased, and we concluded that they had completed their work—at least for the present.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading REVEALS THE DEATH-TRAP WE strained our ears to distinguish the words spoken by the men beneath us, but without avail.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Through the remainder of the night we kept a watchful vigil, but about four o’clock in the morning the sounds ceased, and we concluded that they had completed their work—at least for the present.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the remainder of the night we kept a watchful vigil, but about four o’clock in the morning the sounds ceased, and we concluded that they had completed their work—at least for the present.
o'clock
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From this reading Through the remainder of the night we kept a watchful vigil, but about four o’clock in the morning the sounds ceased, and we concluded that they had completed their work—at least for the present.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They seemed to be at work apparently in the thickness of the ponderous wall some few feet below where we stood.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading REVEALS THE DEATH-TRAP WE strained our ears to distinguish the words spoken by the men beneath us, but without avail.
pick
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From this reading Sometimes it seemed as though they were working upwards towards us, for we could hear a pick upon the stones; and so we waited there, as terriers wait for rats.
place
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From this reading Was it possible that they had ascertained from their plan the place where the gold was hidden?
plan
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From this reading Was it possible that they had ascertained from their plan the place where the gold was hidden?
ponderous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They seemed to be at work apparently in the thickness of the ponderous wall some few feet below where we stood.
possible
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From this reading Was it possible that they had ascertained from their plan the place where the gold was hidden?
present
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From this reading Through the remainder of the night we kept a watchful vigil, but about four o’clock in the morning the sounds ceased, and we concluded that they had completed their work—at least for the present.
rats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes it seemed as though they were working upwards towards us, for we could hear a pick upon the stones; and so we waited there, as terriers wait for rats.
remainder
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From this reading Through the remainder of the night we kept a watchful vigil, but about four o’clock in the morning the sounds ceased, and we concluded that they had completed their work—at least for the present.
REVEALS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading REVEALS THE DEATH-TRAP WE strained our ears to distinguish the words spoken by the men beneath us, but without avail.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They seemed to be at work apparently in the thickness of the ponderous wall some few feet below where we stood.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Sometimes it seemed as though they were working upwards towards us, for we could hear a pick upon the stones; and so we waited there, as terriers wait for rats.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They seemed to be at work apparently in the thickness of the ponderous wall some few feet below where we stood.
Sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes it seemed as though they were working upwards towards us, for we could hear a pick upon the stones; and so we waited there, as terriers wait for rats.
sounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the remainder of the night we kept a watchful vigil, but about four o’clock in the morning the sounds ceased, and we concluded that they had completed their work—at least for the present.
spoken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading REVEALS THE DEATH-TRAP WE strained our ears to distinguish the words spoken by the men beneath us, but without avail.
stones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes it seemed as though they were working upwards towards us, for we could hear a pick upon the stones; and so we waited there, as terriers wait for rats.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They seemed to be at work apparently in the thickness of the ponderous wall some few feet below where we stood.
strained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading REVEALS THE DEATH-TRAP WE strained our ears to distinguish the words spoken by the men beneath us, but without avail.
terriers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes it seemed as though they were working upwards towards us, for we could hear a pick upon the stones; and so we waited there, as terriers wait for rats.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Was it possible that they had ascertained from their plan the place where the gold was hidden?
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading REVEALS THE DEATH-TRAP WE strained our ears to distinguish the words spoken by the men beneath us, but without avail.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Was it possible that they had ascertained from their plan the place where the gold was hidden?
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes it seemed as though they were working upwards towards us, for we could hear a pick upon the stones; and so we waited there, as terriers wait for rats.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They seemed to be at work apparently in the thickness of the ponderous wall some few feet below where we stood.
thickness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They seemed to be at work apparently in the thickness of the ponderous wall some few feet below where we stood.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Sometimes it seemed as though they were working upwards towards us, for we could hear a pick upon the stones; and so we waited there, as terriers wait for rats.
ThroughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Through the remainder of the night we kept a watchful vigil, but about four o’clock in the morning the sounds ceased, and we concluded that they had completed their work—at least for the present.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading REVEALS THE DEATH-TRAP WE strained our ears to distinguish the words spoken by the men beneath us, but without avail.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading Sometimes it seemed as though they were working upwards towards us, for we could hear a pick upon the stones; and so we waited there, as terriers wait for rats.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Sometimes it seemed as though they were working upwards towards us, for we could hear a pick upon the stones; and so we waited there, as terriers wait for rats.
upwards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes it seemed as though they were working upwards towards us, for we could hear a pick upon the stones; and so we waited there, as terriers wait for rats.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading REVEALS THE DEATH-TRAP WE strained our ears to distinguish the words spoken by the men beneath us, but without avail.
vigil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the remainder of the night we kept a watchful vigil, but about four o’clock in the morning the sounds ceased, and we concluded that they had completed their work—at least for the present.
wait
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes it seemed as though they were working upwards towards us, for we could hear a pick upon the stones; and so we waited there, as terriers wait for rats.
waited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes it seemed as though they were working upwards towards us, for we could hear a pick upon the stones; and so we waited there, as terriers wait for rats.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They seemed to be at work apparently in the thickness of the ponderous wall some few feet below where we stood.
Wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Was it possible that they had ascertained from their plan the place where the gold was hidden?
watchful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the remainder of the night we kept a watchful vigil, but about four o’clock in the morning the sounds ceased, and we concluded that they had completed their work—at least for the present.
WEpronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading REVEALS THE DEATH-TRAP WE strained our ears to distinguish the words spoken by the men beneath us, but without avail.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Sometimes it seemed as though they were working upwards towards us, for we could hear a pick upon the stones; and so we waited there, as terriers wait for rats.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading They seemed to be at work apparently in the thickness of the ponderous wall some few feet below where we stood.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading REVEALS THE DEATH-TRAP WE strained our ears to distinguish the words spoken by the men beneath us, but without avail.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading REVEALS THE DEATH-TRAP WE strained our ears to distinguish the words spoken by the men beneath us, but without avail.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They seemed to be at work apparently in the thickness of the ponderous wall some few feet below where we stood.
working
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes it seemed as though they were working upwards towards us, for we could hear a pick upon the stones; and so we waited there, as terriers wait for rats.
