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 Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
aglow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently, the woods were all aglow with its checkered brightness.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently, the woods were all aglow with its checkered brightness.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
assistance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
average
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
begin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
brightness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently, the woods were all aglow with its checkered brightness.
brush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
checkered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently, the woods were all aglow with its checkered brightness.
climb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
defined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
directions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
directlynounUS /ˈdirectly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
easier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
eye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
flat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
flickered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
follow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
footprint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
Gordon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
hill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
hollow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
hurried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
ItsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
Keeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
marshy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
mistaken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
moon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
noticed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
observant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
obstructed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
oval
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
partly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
path
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
permitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
Presently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently, the woods were all aglow with its checkered brightness.
probably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
riveted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
runningnounUS /ˈrunning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
scout
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
SIGN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
signs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
spot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
stone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
summit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
tops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
tree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
TURTLE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Presently, the woods were all aglow with its checkered brightness.
wet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Presently, the woods were all aglow with its checkered brightness.
woods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently, the woods were all aglow with its checkered brightness.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
