Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
1874
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a cold raw day in March, 1874.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a cold raw day in March, 1874.
abstractedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The colonel was whistling and whittling, and the general kept on brushing after the last speck of dust had gone from his shiny coat.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
anxious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two or three minutes passed, and Colonel Culpepper, anxious for the society of his kind, spoke.
arm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
Bank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
Barclay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
box-shaped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
brown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He walked to the window and stared into the ugly brown street.
brushing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
coat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a cold raw day in March, 1874.
Colonel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
Culpepper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a cold raw day in March, 1874.
dry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
dust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonel was whistling and whittling, and the general kept on brushing after the last speck of dust had gone from his shiny coat.
Exchange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
firm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
general
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonel was whistling and whittling, and the general kept on brushing after the last speck of dust had gone from his shiny coat.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonel was whistling and whittling, and the general kept on brushing after the last speck of dust had gone from his shiny coat.
green
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
hackberry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He walked to the window and stared into the ugly brown street.
hickory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a cold raw day in March, 1874.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He walked to the window and stared into the ugly brown street.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a cold raw day in March, 1874.
junior
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonel was whistling and whittling, and the general kept on brushing after the last speck of dust had gone from his shiny coat.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two or three minutes passed, and Colonel Culpepper, anxious for the society of his kind, spoke.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The colonel was whistling and whittling, and the general kept on brushing after the last speck of dust had gone from his shiny coat.
load
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
March
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a cold raw day in March, 1874.
member
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two or three minutes passed, and Colonel Culpepper, anxious for the society of his kind, spoke.
National
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The colonel was whistling and whittling, and the general kept on brushing after the last speck of dust had gone from his shiny coat.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Two or three minutes passed, and Colonel Culpepper, anxious for the society of his kind, spoke.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Two or three minutes passed, and Colonel Culpepper, anxious for the society of his kind, spoke.
raw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a cold raw day in March, 1874.
sawdust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
senior
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
shiny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonel was whistling and whittling, and the general kept on brushing after the last speck of dust had gone from his shiny coat.
sitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
sleeves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
society
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two or three minutes passed, and Colonel Culpepper, anxious for the society of his kind, spoke.
speck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonel was whistling and whittling, and the general kept on brushing after the last speck of dust had gone from his shiny coat.
spoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two or three minutes passed, and Colonel Culpepper, anxious for the society of his kind, spoke.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
stared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He walked to the window and stared into the ugly brown street.
stove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He walked to the window and stared into the ugly brown street.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two or three minutes passed, and Colonel Culpepper, anxious for the society of his kind, spoke.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
Two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two or three minutes passed, and Colonel Culpepper, anxious for the society of his kind, spoke.
ugly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He walked to the window and stared into the ugly brown street.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
walked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He walked to the window and stared into the ugly brown street.
Ward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a cold raw day in March, 1874.
whistling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonel was whistling and whittling, and the general kept on brushing after the last speck of dust had gone from his shiny coat.
whittling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonel was whistling and whittling, and the general kept on brushing after the last speck of dust had gone from his shiny coat.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He walked to the window and stared into the ugly brown street.
wood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
wormwood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Culpepper was sitting in the office of Ward and Barclay over the Exchange National Bank waiting for the junior member of the firm to come in; the senior member of the firm, who had just brought up an arm load of green hickory and dry hackberry stove wood, was standing beside the box-shaped stove, abstractedly brushing the sawdust and wormwood from his sleeves and coat front.
