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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 _To disobey the orders of the Council of Four was unthinkable to a Space Admiral of the old school.
Admiral
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _To disobey the orders of the Council of Four was unthinkable to a Space Admiral of the old school.
afterward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the trouble was, the school system had changed.
changed
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From this reading But the trouble was, the school system had changed.
CouncilnounUS /council/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading _To disobey the orders of the Council of Four was unthinkable to a Space Admiral of the old school.
disobey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _To disobey the orders of the Council of Four was unthinkable to a Space Admiral of the old school.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
elbow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
facing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
fighter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
Fleets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
flight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
Forgive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Forgive me, Jezef.
Four
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From this reading _To disobey the orders of the Council of Four was unthinkable to a Space Admiral of the old school.
fury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But the trouble was, the school system had changed.
halfway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
Jezef
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Forgive me, Jezef.
live
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Forgive me, Jezef.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _To disobey the orders of the Council of Four was unthinkable to a Space Admiral of the old school.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _To disobey the orders of the Council of Four was unthinkable to a Space Admiral of the old school.
orders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _To disobey the orders of the Council of Four was unthinkable to a Space Admiral of the old school.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
realized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
restraint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _To disobey the orders of the Council of Four was unthinkable to a Space Admiral of the old school.
Sennech
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
shakingnounUS /ˈshaking/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
slammed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
slipped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
slowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He slowed.
someonepronounUS /ˈsʌmwʌn/
a person, without saying who
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
Space
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _To disobey the orders of the Council of Four was unthinkable to a Space Admiral of the old school.
steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
stone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
system
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the trouble was, the school system had changed.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _To disobey the orders of the Council of Four was unthinkable to a Space Admiral of the old school.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _To disobey the orders of the Council of Four was unthinkable to a Space Admiral of the old school.
trouble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the trouble was, the school system had changed.
unthinkable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _To disobey the orders of the Council of Four was unthinkable to a Space Admiral of the old school.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _To disobey the orders of the Council of Four was unthinkable to a Space Admiral of the old school.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading A man, a fighter, an Admiral had to think for himself now, if his people were to live._ While facing the Council of Four his restraint had not slipped; but afterward, shaking with fury, the Admiral of the Fleets of Sennech slammed halfway down the long flight of stone steps before he realized someone was at his elbow.