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andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly, Doug straightened, descended the stairs with Dot's trembling body still in his arms.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The boys knelt at either side of her, Doug himself before her.
awkward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The boys knelt at either side of her, Doug himself before her.
bits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Slowly, Doug straightened, descended the stairs with Dot's trembling body still in his arms.
boots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
boys
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From this reading The boys stood motionless.
came
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From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
crush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
descendednounUS /ˈdescended/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Slowly, Doug straightened, descended the stairs with Dot's trembling body still in his arms.
Dot's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly, Doug straightened, descended the stairs with Dot's trembling body still in his arms.
Doug
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly, Doug straightened, descended the stairs with Dot's trembling body still in his arms.
Doug's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gently, he put her down.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading The boys knelt at either side of her, Doug himself before her.
fittedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtɪd/
prepared and equipped for a particular purpose
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
Gently
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From this reading Gently, he put her down.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Gently, he put her down.
heavily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Gently, he put her down.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The boys knelt at either side of her, Doug himself before her.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Slowly, Doug straightened, descended the stairs with Dot's trembling body still in his arms.
hollow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Slowly, Doug straightened, descended the stairs with Dot's trembling body still in his arms.
knelt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boys knelt at either side of her, Doug himself before her.
legs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
motionless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boys stood motionless.
moved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
power-pack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gently, he put her down.
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
robot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
scatter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
shattered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boys knelt at either side of her, Doug himself before her.
Slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly, Doug straightened, descended the stairs with Dot's trembling body still in his arms.
sobbing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
sounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
stair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly, Doug straightened, descended the stairs with Dot's trembling body still in his arms.
steel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Slowly, Doug straightened, descended the stairs with Dot's trembling body still in his arms.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The boys stood motionless.
straightened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly, Doug straightened, descended the stairs with Dot's trembling body still in his arms.
strucknounUS /struck/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Slowly, Doug straightened, descended the stairs with Dot's trembling body still in his arms.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
treads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
trembling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly, Doug straightened, descended the stairs with Dot's trembling body still in his arms.
tubes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
underfoot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was only the sound of Dot's quiet sobbing, and that of Doug's boots as they struck hollow sounds from the steel stair treads, moved heavily as though fitted to the legs of an awkward robot to scatter the shattered bits of the power-pack tubes and crush them as they came underfoot.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Slowly, Doug straightened, descended the stairs with Dot's trembling body still in his arms.
