Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Athens, when the mining industry was running full time, was a busy if not a beautiful spot.
addednounUS /added/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The company house in which the superintendent, the manager and the chief engineer "bached" only differed from the others by an added cleanliness, for Mrs. Van Zandt, the energetic woman who ran the boarding-house, gave an eye to its welfare.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The company house in which the superintendent, the manager and the chief engineer "bached" only differed from the others by an added cleanliness, for Mrs. Van Zandt, the energetic woman who ran the boarding-house, gave an eye to its welfare.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
angular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
ATHENS
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From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
bached
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From this reading The company house in which the superintendent, the manager and the chief engineer "bached" only differed from the others by an added cleanliness, for Mrs. Van Zandt, the energetic woman who ran the boarding-house, gave an eye to its welfare.
beautiful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Athens, when the mining industry was running full time, was a busy if not a beautiful spot.
beauty
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From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
boarding-house
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From this reading The company house in which the superintendent, the manager and the chief engineer "bached" only differed from the others by an added cleanliness, for Mrs. Van Zandt, the energetic woman who ran the boarding-house, gave an eye to its welfare.
boasted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plant and offices which boasted two stories, and the general merchandise store which was long and rambling, were larger than the shacks; otherwise Athens was a true democracy.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
busy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Athens, when the mining industry was running full time, was a busy if not a beautiful spot.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
cactus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
cars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
chief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The company house in which the superintendent, the manager and the chief engineer "bached" only differed from the others by an added cleanliness, for Mrs. Van Zandt, the energetic woman who ran the boarding-house, gave an eye to its welfare.
cleanliness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The company house in which the superintendent, the manager and the chief engineer "bached" only differed from the others by an added cleanliness, for Mrs. Van Zandt, the energetic woman who ran the boarding-house, gave an eye to its welfare.
coal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
company
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The company house in which the superintendent, the manager and the chief engineer "bached" only differed from the others by an added cleanliness, for Mrs. Van Zandt, the energetic woman who ran the boarding-house, gave an eye to its welfare.
Conejo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
connecting
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From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
democracy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plant and offices which boasted two stories, and the general merchandise store which was long and rambling, were larger than the shacks; otherwise Athens was a true democracy.
desert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
differed
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From this reading The company house in which the superintendent, the manager and the chief engineer "bached" only differed from the others by an added cleanliness, for Mrs. Van Zandt, the energetic woman who ran the boarding-house, gave an eye to its welfare.
diminishing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
dotted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
energetic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The company house in which the superintendent, the manager and the chief engineer "bached" only differed from the others by an added cleanliness, for Mrs. Van Zandt, the energetic woman who ran the boarding-house, gave an eye to its welfare.
engineer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The company house in which the superintendent, the manager and the chief engineer "bached" only differed from the others by an added cleanliness, for Mrs. Van Zandt, the energetic woman who ran the boarding-house, gave an eye to its welfare.
eye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The company house in which the superintendent, the manager and the chief engineer "bached" only differed from the others by an added cleanliness, for Mrs. Van Zandt, the energetic woman who ran the boarding-house, gave an eye to its welfare.
female
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The company house in which the superintendent, the manager and the chief engineer "bached" only differed from the others by an added cleanliness, for Mrs. Van Zandt, the energetic woman who ran the boarding-house, gave an eye to its welfare.
frowned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Athens, when the mining industry was running full time, was a busy if not a beautiful spot.
gaunt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
general
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plant and offices which boasted two stories, and the general merchandise store which was long and rambling, were larger than the shacks; otherwise Athens was a true democracy.
generous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
germane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
hills
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The company house in which the superintendent, the manager and the chief engineer "bached" only differed from the others by an added cleanliness, for Mrs. Van Zandt, the energetic woman who ran the boarding-house, gave an eye to its welfare.
housed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Athens, when the mining industry was running full time, was a busy if not a beautiful spot.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
industry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Athens, when the mining industry was running full time, was a busy if not a beautiful spot.
ironically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
ItsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
larger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plant and offices which boasted two stories, and the general merchandise store which was long and rambling, were larger than the shacks; otherwise Athens was a true democracy.
lies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The plant and offices which boasted two stories, and the general merchandise store which was long and rambling, were larger than the shacks; otherwise Athens was a true democracy.
male
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
manager
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The company house in which the superintendent, the manager and the chief engineer "bached" only differed from the others by an added cleanliness, for Mrs. Van Zandt, the energetic woman who ran the boarding-house, gave an eye to its welfare.
merchandise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plant and offices which boasted two stories, and the general merchandise store which was long and rambling, were larger than the shacks; otherwise Athens was a true democracy.
mesquite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
metropolis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
Mexico
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
mining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
mountains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The company house in which the superintendent, the manager and the chief engineer "bached" only differed from the others by an added cleanliness, for Mrs. Van Zandt, the energetic woman who ran the boarding-house, gave an eye to its welfare.
named
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
neighboring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
northern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Athens, when the mining industry was running full time, was a busy if not a beautiful spot.
number
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
offended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
offices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plant and offices which boasted two stories, and the general merchandise store which was long and rambling, were larger than the shacks; otherwise Athens was a true democracy.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The company house in which the superintendent, the manager and the chief engineer "bached" only differed from the others by an added cleanliness, for Mrs. Van Zandt, the energetic woman who ran the boarding-house, gave an eye to its welfare.
operated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The company house in which the superintendent, the manager and the chief engineer "bached" only differed from the others by an added cleanliness, for Mrs. Van Zandt, the energetic woman who ran the boarding-house, gave an eye to its welfare.
otherwise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plant and offices which boasted two stories, and the general merchandise store which was long and rambling, were larger than the shacks; otherwise Athens was a true democracy.
owned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
plant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plant and offices which boasted two stories, and the general merchandise store which was long and rambling, were larger than the shacks; otherwise Athens was a true democracy.
railroad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
rambling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plant and offices which boasted two stories, and the general merchandise store which was long and rambling, were larger than the shacks; otherwise Athens was a true democracy.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The company house in which the superintendent, the manager and the chief engineer "bached" only differed from the others by an added cleanliness, for Mrs. Van Zandt, the energetic woman who ran the boarding-house, gave an eye to its welfare.
reasonsnounUS /ˈreasons/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
row
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
runningnounUS /ˈrunning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Athens, when the mining industry was running full time, was a busy if not a beautiful spot.
sand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
shacks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
someonepronounUS /ˈsʌmwʌn/
a person, without saying who
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
Sonora
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
spot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Athens, when the mining industry was running full time, was a busy if not a beautiful spot.
spur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
store
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plant and offices which boasted two stories, and the general merchandise store which was long and rambling, were larger than the shacks; otherwise Athens was a true democracy.
stories
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plant and offices which boasted two stories, and the general merchandise store which was long and rambling, were larger than the shacks; otherwise Athens was a true democracy.
stretches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
superintendent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The company house in which the superintendent, the manager and the chief engineer "bached" only differed from the others by an added cleanliness, for Mrs. Van Zandt, the energetic woman who ran the boarding-house, gave an eye to its welfare.
temperamental
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The plant and offices which boasted two stories, and the general merchandise store which was long and rambling, were larger than the shacks; otherwise Athens was a true democracy.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Athens, when the mining industry was running full time, was a busy if not a beautiful spot.
tiny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
train
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plant and offices which boasted two stories, and the general merchandise store which was long and rambling, were larger than the shacks; otherwise Athens was a true democracy.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plant and offices which boasted two stories, and the general merchandise store which was long and rambling, were larger than the shacks; otherwise Athens was a true democracy.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
Van
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The company house in which the superintendent, the manager and the chief engineer "bached" only differed from the others by an added cleanliness, for Mrs. Van Zandt, the energetic woman who ran the boarding-house, gave an eye to its welfare.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
welfare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The company house in which the superintendent, the manager and the chief engineer "bached" only differed from the others by an added cleanliness, for Mrs. Van Zandt, the energetic woman who ran the boarding-house, gave an eye to its welfare.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Athens, when the mining industry was running full time, was a busy if not a beautiful spot.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The plant and offices which boasted two stories, and the general merchandise store which was long and rambling, were larger than the shacks; otherwise Athens was a true democracy.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The company house in which the superintendent, the manager and the chief engineer "bached" only differed from the others by an added cleanliness, for Mrs. Van Zandt, the energetic woman who ran the boarding-house, gave an eye to its welfare.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The company house in which the superintendent, the manager and the chief engineer "bached" only differed from the others by an added cleanliness, for Mrs. Van Zandt, the energetic woman who ran the boarding-house, gave an eye to its welfare.
workers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
yellow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ATHENS In the northern part of Mexico, in the state of Sonora, lies the little mining town of Athens, ironically named by someone whose sense of beauty was offended by the yellow stretches of desert sand, broken by hills, dotted here and there by cactus and mesquite, and frowned upon by gaunt and angular mountains.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Its row of shacks housed workers, male and a few female, to a generous number, while its busy little train of cars--for Athens owned a tiny spur of railroad connecting with the neighboring town of Conejo and operated for reasons germane to the coal industry--gave it, if you were very temperamental, something of the air of a metropolis seen through a diminishing glass.
Zandt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The company house in which the superintendent, the manager and the chief engineer "bached" only differed from the others by an added cleanliness, for Mrs. Van Zandt, the energetic woman who ran the boarding-house, gave an eye to its welfare.
