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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 SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
alarmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
angrily
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From this reading I looked angrily around, but could see no one.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading I looked angrily around, but could see no one.
away
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From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The man had taken refuge behind one of the trees, while I stood before him right in the open.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The man had taken refuge behind one of the trees, while I stood before him right in the open.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
bullet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
bush
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From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I looked angrily around, but could see no one.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
carried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
companions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I looked angrily around, but could see no one.
dashing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
distinguished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
fired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
footing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
gained
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From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
habitually
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From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
HEpronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
hesitation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The man had taken refuge behind one of the trees, while I stood before him right in the open.
hole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The man had taken refuge behind one of the trees, while I stood before him right in the open.
instant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
intruder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I looked angrily around, but could see no one.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man had taken refuge behind one of the trees, while I stood before him right in the open.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
movement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading I looked angrily around, but could see no one.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The man had taken refuge behind one of the trees, while I stood before him right in the open.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I looked angrily around, but could see no one.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The man had taken refuge behind one of the trees, while I stood before him right in the open.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
pistol
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
quick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
refuge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man had taken refuge behind one of the trees, while I stood before him right in the open.
report
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
revolver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The man had taken refuge behind one of the trees, while I stood before him right in the open.
rush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
Scarcely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
scrambled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
second's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
seconds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I looked angrily around, but could see no one.
shot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
slight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
SPY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The man had taken refuge behind one of the trees, while I stood before him right in the open.
suddennounUS /sudden/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
surface
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man had taken refuge behind one of the trees, while I stood before him right in the open.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
TOLDnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
trees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man had taken refuge behind one of the trees, while I stood before him right in the open.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
USpronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
Usher's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
WHATpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The man had taken refuge behind one of the trees, while I stood before him right in the open.
whizzed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
WITHOUTprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
yards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
