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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 Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
alasexclamationUS /əˈlæs/
used to show sadness, pity, or regret
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
arranged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
ascertain
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From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
aside
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From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
awaiting
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From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
away
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From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
balcony
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
bells
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From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
boldly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
BOX
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From this reading THE CLOSED BOX.
CLOSED
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From this reading THE CLOSED BOX.
conceal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
concealed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
curtain
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From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
died
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
dressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
faced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
feet
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From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
figure
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From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
finger-prints
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
gloves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
Hardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
Husband
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
ignorance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
intruder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
Jean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
lisle-thread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
placed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
police
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
scaled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
seeing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
silvery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
slightly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CLOSED BOX.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
wore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
yellow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
