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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 THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
ashesnounUS /ˈæʃ.ɪz/
The powdery residue left after the burning of a substance.
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
bacon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
bag
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
BothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading Both carried guns-the tall mountaineer, a Winchester; the boy, a squirrel rifle longer than himself.
boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both carried guns-the tall mountaineer, a Winchester; the boy, a squirrel rifle longer than himself.
bushes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
ByprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By John Fox Jr.
carried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both carried guns-the tall mountaineer, a Winchester; the boy, a squirrel rifle longer than himself.
cave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
cavernnounUS /ˈkæv.ərn/
A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
children
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
coals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
darkness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
dim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
finished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
Fox
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By John Fox Jr.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
girding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
guns-the
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both carried guns-the tall mountaineer, a Winchester; the boy, a squirrel rifle longer than himself.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
hiding-place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Both carried guns-the tall mountaineer, a Winchester; the boy, a squirrel rifle longer than himself.
hung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
hunger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
hunting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By John Fox Jr.
Jr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By John Fox Jr.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both carried guns-the tall mountaineer, a Winchester; the boy, a squirrel rifle longer than himself.
massive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
meal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
mountain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
mountaineer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both carried guns-the tall mountaineer, a Winchester; the boy, a squirrel rifle longer than himself.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
Parting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
primitive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
raked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
refuge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
rhododendrons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
rifle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both carried guns-the tall mountaineer, a Winchester; the boy, a squirrel rifle longer than himself.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
rock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
shadows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
shoulder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
slice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
squirrel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both carried guns-the tall mountaineer, a Winchester; the boy, a squirrel rifle longer than himself.
stepped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
tall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both carried guns-the tall mountaineer, a Winchester; the boy, a squirrel rifle longer than himself.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Both carried guns-the tall mountaineer, a Winchester; the boy, a squirrel rifle longer than himself.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
thicketnounUS /ˈθɪkɪt/
a dense group of bushes or small trees
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
Winchester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both carried guns-the tall mountaineer, a Winchester; the boy, a squirrel rifle longer than himself.
woods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
