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Afloat
Afloat

Chapter V

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Context Illustration Reading 1/27 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.
It was far from light in there; but as they could easily see the opening all they had to do was to make for it.
Elmer had been careful to make sure that there were no pitchforks lying around loose, to be run upon by accident.
Hardly had the scouts managed to stream from the interior of the barn than they became aware of the fact that someone was running headlong toward them.
Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and therefore must be a friend rather than a foe.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Afloat

Chapter V

Reading 1/27 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.
Line 2
It was far from light in there; but as they could easily see the opening all they had to do was to make for it.
Line 3
Elmer had been careful to make sure that there were no pitchforks lying around loose, to be run upon by accident.
Line 4
Hardly had the scouts managed to stream from the interior of the barn than they became aware of the fact that someone was running headlong toward them.
Line 5
Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and therefore must be a friend rather than a foe.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “Elmer had been careful to make sure that there were no pitchforks lying around loose, to be run upon by accident.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Elmer had been careful to make sure that there were no pitchforks lying around loose, to be run upon by accident.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “It was far from light in there; but as they could easily see the opening all they had to do was to make for it.”

Everybody pronoun US /ˈevribɑːdi/

every person

From this reading “THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was far from light in there; but as they could easily see the opening all they had to do was to make for it.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and therefore must be a friend rather than a foe.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.”

Running noun US /ˈrunning/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Hardly had the scouts managed to stream from the interior of the barn than they became aware of the fact that someone was running headlong toward them.”

Someone pronoun US /ˈsʌmwʌn/

a person, without saying who

From this reading “Hardly had the scouts managed to stream from the interior of the barn than they became aware of the fact that someone was running headlong toward them.”

Sure noun US /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Elmer had been careful to make sure that there were no pitchforks lying around loose, to be run upon by accident.”

Therefore adverb US /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading “Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and therefore must be a friend rather than a foe.”

Toward preposition US /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading “Hardly had the scouts managed to stream from the interior of the barn than they became aware of the fact that someone was running headlong toward them.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Elmer had been careful to make sure that there were no pitchforks lying around loose, to be run upon by accident.”

All words in this reading · 96

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 THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

accident

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Elmer had been careful to make sure that there were no pitchforks lying around loose, to be run upon by accident.

action

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was far from light in there; but as they could easily see the opening all they had to do was to make for it.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and therefore must be a friend rather than a foe.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

approaching

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and therefore must be a friend rather than a foe.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Elmer had been careful to make sure that there were no pitchforks lying around loose, to be run upon by accident.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading It was far from light in there; but as they could easily see the opening all they had to do was to make for it.

attitude

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and therefore must be a friend rather than a foe.

aware

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Hardly had the scouts managed to stream from the interior of the barn than they became aware of the fact that someone was running headlong toward them.

barn

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Elmer had been careful to make sure that there were no pitchforks lying around loose, to be run upon by accident.

became

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Hardly had the scouts managed to stream from the interior of the barn than they became aware of the fact that someone was running headlong toward them.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Elmer had been careful to make sure that there were no pitchforks lying around loose, to be run upon by accident.

big

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

BUCKHORN

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was far from light in there; but as they could easily see the opening all they had to do was to make for it.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

called

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

careful

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Elmer had been careful to make sure that there were no pitchforks lying around loose, to be run upon by accident.

club

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and therefore must be a friend rather than a foe.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading It was far from light in there; but as they could easily see the opening all they had to do was to make for it.

defense

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and therefore must be a friend rather than a foe.

direction

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and therefore must be a friend rather than a foe.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading It was far from light in there; but as they could easily see the opening all they had to do was to make for it.

door

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

easily

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was far from light in there; but as they could easily see the opening all they had to do was to make for it.

Elmer

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

erect

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

EverybodypronounUS /ˈevribɑːdi/

every person

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

fact

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Hardly had the scouts managed to stream from the interior of the barn than they became aware of the fact that someone was running headlong toward them.

far

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was far from light in there; but as they could easily see the opening all they had to do was to make for it.

farmhouse

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and therefore must be a friend rather than a foe.

foe

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and therefore must be a friend rather than a foe.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

friend

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and therefore must be a friend rather than a foe.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was far from light in there; but as they could easily see the opening all they had to do was to make for it.

get

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

grasped

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and therefore must be a friend rather than a foe.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading It was far from light in there; but as they could easily see the opening all they had to do was to make for it.

HANDLE

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

Hardly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Hardly had the scouts managed to stream from the interior of the barn than they became aware of the fact that someone was running headlong toward them.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and therefore must be a friend rather than a foe.

headlong

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Hardly had the scouts managed to stream from the interior of the barn than they became aware of the fact that someone was running headlong toward them.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

hurry

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

interior

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Hardly had the scouts managed to stream from the interior of the barn than they became aware of the fact that someone was running headlong toward them.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and therefore must be a friend rather than a foe.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was far from light in there; but as they could easily see the opening all they had to do was to make for it.

KNIFE

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

light

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was far from light in there; but as they could easily see the opening all they had to do was to make for it.

loose

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Elmer had been careful to make sure that there were no pitchforks lying around loose, to be run upon by accident.

lying

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Elmer had been careful to make sure that there were no pitchforks lying around loose, to be run upon by accident.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was far from light in there; but as they could easily see the opening all they had to do was to make for it.

making

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

managed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Hardly had the scouts managed to stream from the interior of the barn than they became aware of the fact that someone was running headlong toward them.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and therefore must be a friend rather than a foe.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Elmer had been careful to make sure that there were no pitchforks lying around loose, to be run upon by accident.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

opening

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was far from light in there; but as they could easily see the opening all they had to do was to make for it.

out

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

piece

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and therefore must be a friend rather than a foe.

pitchforks

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Elmer had been careful to make sure that there were no pitchforks lying around loose, to be run upon by accident.

raising

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and therefore must be a friend rather than a foe.

rather

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and therefore must be a friend rather than a foe.

realized

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and therefore must be a friend rather than a foe.

run

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Elmer had been careful to make sure that there were no pitchforks lying around loose, to be run upon by accident.

runner

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and therefore must be a friend rather than a foe.

runningnounUS /ˈrunning/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Hardly had the scouts managed to stream from the interior of the barn than they became aware of the fact that someone was running headlong toward them.

scouts

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Hardly had the scouts managed to stream from the interior of the barn than they became aware of the fact that someone was running headlong toward them.

scrambling

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

see

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was far from light in there; but as they could easily see the opening all they had to do was to make for it.

someonepronounUS /ˈsʌmwʌn/

a person, without saying who

From this reading Hardly had the scouts managed to stream from the interior of the barn than they became aware of the fact that someone was running headlong toward them.

stream

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Hardly had the scouts managed to stream from the interior of the barn than they became aware of the fact that someone was running headlong toward them.

suiting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

surenounUS /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Elmer had been careful to make sure that there were no pitchforks lying around loose, to be run upon by accident.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Hardly had the scouts managed to stream from the interior of the barn than they became aware of the fact that someone was running headlong toward them.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Elmer had been careful to make sure that there were no pitchforks lying around loose, to be run upon by accident.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Hardly had the scouts managed to stream from the interior of the barn than they became aware of the fact that someone was running headlong toward them.

there

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was far from light in there; but as they could easily see the opening all they had to do was to make for it.

thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and therefore must be a friend rather than a foe.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was far from light in there; but as they could easily see the opening all they had to do was to make for it.

threw

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and therefore must be a friend rather than a foe.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

Toby

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and therefore must be a friend rather than a foe.

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading Hardly had the scouts managed to stream from the interior of the barn than they became aware of the fact that someone was running headlong toward them.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Elmer had been careful to make sure that there were no pitchforks lying around loose, to be run upon by accident.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was far from light in there; but as they could easily see the opening all they had to do was to make for it.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Elmer had been careful to make sure that there were no pitchforks lying around loose, to be run upon by accident.

WITHprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.

wood

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and therefore must be a friend rather than a foe.

word

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE "Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the big barn.