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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 Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
all
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From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.
Almost
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From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
ambitions
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From this reading For a moment he forgot his ambitions and the long unswerving pursuit of his great desire.
amongstprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋst/
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.
ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
balcony
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From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The love of his country was born in the man--the better part of him was steeped in patriotic fervour.
birth
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From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.
bornnounUS /born/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The love of his country was born in the man--the better part of him was steeped in patriotic fervour.
capital
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From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.
city
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From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
country
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From this reading The love of his country was born in the man--the better part of him was steeped in patriotic fervour.
desire
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From this reading For a moment he forgot his ambitions and the long unswerving pursuit of his great desire.
died
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From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.
dipped
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From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
dropped
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From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
eastwards
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From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.
fervour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The love of his country was born in the man--the better part of him was steeped in patriotic fervour.
flaring
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From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
fondly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.
forgot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment he forgot his ambitions and the long unswerving pursuit of his great desire.
generations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For a moment he forgot his ambitions and the long unswerving pursuit of his great desire.
greeting
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From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.
guarded
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From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
guardians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.
hills
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The love of his country was born in the man--the better part of him was steeped in patriotic fervour.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The love of his country was born in the man--the better part of him was steeped in patriotic fervour.
iron-bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.
lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The love of his country was born in the man--the better part of him was steeped in patriotic fervour.
loved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.
massive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment he forgot his ambitions and the long unswerving pursuit of his great desire.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.
mountains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The love of his country was born in the man--the better part of him was steeped in patriotic fervour.
patriotic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The love of his country was born in the man--the better part of him was steeped in patriotic fervour.
pursuit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment he forgot his ambitions and the long unswerving pursuit of his great desire.
red
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From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
rested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.
roar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.
State
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.
steeped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The love of his country was born in the man--the better part of him was steeped in patriotic fervour.
stepped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
stern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.
stone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
towering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
unswerving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment he forgot his ambitions and the long unswerving pursuit of his great desire.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.
waited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The love of his country was born in the man--the better part of him was steeped in patriotic fervour.
welcomed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.
westwards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.
