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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 On the edge of a prairie, in western Iowa, thirty years ago, stood a cabin, covering quite a little ground, but only one story high.
ago
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the edge of a prairie, in western Iowa, thirty years ago, stood a cabin, covering quite a little ground, but only one story high.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
articles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The furniture was limited to articles of prime necessity.
beard
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From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
become
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From this reading It was humble enough, but not more so than the early homes of some who have become great.
bed
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From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading On the edge of a prairie, in western Iowa, thirty years ago, stood a cabin, covering quite a little ground, but only one story high.
cabin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the edge of a prairie, in western Iowa, thirty years ago, stood a cabin, covering quite a little ground, but only one story high.
chairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
coal-black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
containing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
corner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
covering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the edge of a prairie, in western Iowa, thirty years ago, stood a cabin, covering quite a little ground, but only one story high.
crockery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
death
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was evident he was sick unto death.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was humble enough, but not more so than the early homes of some who have become great.
edge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the edge of a prairie, in western Iowa, thirty years ago, stood a cabin, covering quite a little ground, but only one story high.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was humble enough, but not more so than the early homes of some who have become great.
evident
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was evident he was sick unto death.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
furniture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The furniture was limited to articles of prime necessity.
gray
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From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was humble enough, but not more so than the early homes of some who have become great.
ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the edge of a prairie, in western Iowa, thirty years ago, stood a cabin, covering quite a little ground, but only one story high.
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was humble enough, but not more so than the early homes of some who have become great.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was evident he was sick unto death.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the edge of a prairie, in western Iowa, thirty years ago, stood a cabin, covering quite a little ground, but only one story high.
homes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was humble enough, but not more so than the early homes of some who have become great.
humble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was humble enough, but not more so than the early homes of some who have become great.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On the edge of a prairie, in western Iowa, thirty years ago, stood a cabin, covering quite a little ground, but only one story high.
Iowa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the edge of a prairie, in western Iowa, thirty years ago, stood a cabin, covering quite a little ground, but only one story high.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was humble enough, but not more so than the early homes of some who have become great.
limited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The furniture was limited to articles of prime necessity.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On the edge of a prairie, in western Iowa, thirty years ago, stood a cabin, covering quite a little ground, but only one story high.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was humble enough, but not more so than the early homes of some who have become great.
necessity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The furniture was limited to articles of prime necessity.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was humble enough, but not more so than the early homes of some who have become great.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On the edge of a prairie, in western Iowa, thirty years ago, stood a cabin, covering quite a little ground, but only one story high.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the edge of a prairie, in western Iowa, thirty years ago, stood a cabin, covering quite a little ground, but only one story high.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading On the edge of a prairie, in western Iowa, thirty years ago, stood a cabin, covering quite a little ground, but only one story high.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the edge of a prairie, in western Iowa, thirty years ago, stood a cabin, covering quite a little ground, but only one story high.
prairie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the edge of a prairie, in western Iowa, thirty years ago, stood a cabin, covering quite a little ground, but only one story high.
prime
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The furniture was limited to articles of prime necessity.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On the edge of a prairie, in western Iowa, thirty years ago, stood a cabin, covering quite a little ground, but only one story high.
ragged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
rested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
row
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
shelvesnounUS /ʃelvz/
Plural of shelf; the vast wooden or stone structures holding archives.
From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
sick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was evident he was sick unto death.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was humble enough, but not more so than the early homes of some who have become great.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was humble enough, but not more so than the early homes of some who have become great.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On the edge of a prairie, in western Iowa, thirty years ago, stood a cabin, covering quite a little ground, but only one story high.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the edge of a prairie, in western Iowa, thirty years ago, stood a cabin, covering quite a little ground, but only one story high.
stove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was humble enough, but not more so than the early homes of some who have become great.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On the edge of a prairie, in western Iowa, thirty years ago, stood a cabin, covering quite a little ground, but only one story high.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
thirty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the edge of a prairie, in western Iowa, thirty years ago, stood a cabin, covering quite a little ground, but only one story high.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
tinware
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The furniture was limited to articles of prime necessity.
untoprepositionUS /ˈʌntuː/
an old word for “to”
From this reading It was evident he was sick unto death.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was humble enough, but not more so than the early homes of some who have become great.
western
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the edge of a prairie, in western Iowa, thirty years ago, stood a cabin, covering quite a little ground, but only one story high.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It was humble enough, but not more so than the early homes of some who have become great.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was a stove, a table, three chairs, a row of shelves containing a few articles of crockery and tinware, and a bed in the far corner of the room, on which rested a man with ragged gray beard and hair, a face long and thin, and coal-black eyes.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the edge of a prairie, in western Iowa, thirty years ago, stood a cabin, covering quite a little ground, but only one story high.
