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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a moment he was at a loss to know what had happened, and then he heard, as if from afar off, Joe calling him by name.
afar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment he was at a loss to know what had happened, and then he heard, as if from afar off, Joe calling him by name.
ALIVE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading One end of the shoring plank was yet held by the upright placed in the center of the cutting, and it remained at an angle, although pinning him down, while the earth covered him completely.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "Here I am under the timber," he replied.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading One end of the shoring plank was yet held by the upright placed in the center of the cutting, and it remained at an angle, although pinning him down, while the earth covered him completely.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
angle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One end of the shoring plank was yet held by the upright placed in the center of the cutting, and it remained at an angle, although pinning him down, while the earth covered him completely.
Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Are you hurt much?"
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For a moment he was at a loss to know what had happened, and then he heard, as if from afar off, Joe calling him by name.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
BURIED
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading One end of the shoring plank was yet held by the upright placed in the center of the cutting, and it remained at an angle, although pinning him down, while the earth covered him completely.
calling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment he was at a loss to know what had happened, and then he heard, as if from afar off, Joe calling him by name.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading One end of the shoring plank was yet held by the upright placed in the center of the cutting, and it remained at an angle, although pinning him down, while the earth covered him completely.
completely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One end of the shoring plank was yet held by the upright placed in the center of the cutting, and it remained at an angle, although pinning him down, while the earth covered him completely.
covered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One end of the shoring plank was yet held by the upright placed in the center of the cutting, and it remained at an angle, although pinning him down, while the earth covered him completely.
cutting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One end of the shoring plank was yet held by the upright placed in the center of the cutting, and it remained at an angle, although pinning him down, while the earth covered him completely.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One end of the shoring plank was yet held by the upright placed in the center of the cutting, and it remained at an angle, although pinning him down, while the earth covered him completely.
earth
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From this reading One end of the shoring plank was yet held by the upright placed in the center of the cutting, and it remained at an angle, although pinning him down, while the earth covered him completely.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One end of the shoring plank was yet held by the upright placed in the center of the cutting, and it remained at an angle, although pinning him down, while the earth covered him completely.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a moment he was at a loss to know what had happened, and then he heard, as if from afar off, Joe calling him by name.
Fred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment he was at a loss to know what had happened, and then he heard, as if from afar off, Joe calling him by name.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For a moment he was at a loss to know what had happened, and then he heard, as if from afar off, Joe calling him by name.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment he was at a loss to know what had happened, and then he heard, as if from afar off, Joe calling him by name.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One end of the shoring plank was yet held by the upright placed in the center of the cutting, and it remained at an angle, although pinning him down, while the earth covered him completely.
HerenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Here I am under the timber," he replied.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
hurt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Are you hurt much?"
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Here I am under the timber," he replied.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading For a moment he was at a loss to know what had happened, and then he heard, as if from afar off, Joe calling him by name.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One end of the shoring plank was yet held by the upright placed in the center of the cutting, and it remained at an angle, although pinning him down, while the earth covered him completely.
instantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading One end of the shoring plank was yet held by the upright placed in the center of the cutting, and it remained at an angle, although pinning him down, while the earth covered him completely.
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment he was at a loss to know what had happened, and then he heard, as if from afar off, Joe calling him by name.
joist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
killed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
knocked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For a moment he was at a loss to know what had happened, and then he heard, as if from afar off, Joe calling him by name.
loss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment he was at a loss to know what had happened, and then he heard, as if from afar off, Joe calling him by name.
Miller
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Are you hurt much?"
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For a moment he was at a loss to know what had happened, and then he heard, as if from afar off, Joe calling him by name.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment he was at a loss to know what had happened, and then he heard, as if from afar off, Joe calling him by name.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One end of the shoring plank was yet held by the upright placed in the center of the cutting, and it remained at an angle, although pinning him down, while the earth covered him completely.
pick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
pinning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One end of the shoring plank was yet held by the upright placed in the center of the cutting, and it remained at an angle, although pinning him down, while the earth covered him completely.
placed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One end of the shoring plank was yet held by the upright placed in the center of the cutting, and it remained at an angle, although pinning him down, while the earth covered him completely.
plank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One end of the shoring plank was yet held by the upright placed in the center of the cutting, and it remained at an angle, although pinning him down, while the earth covered him completely.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
remainednounUS /ˈremained/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading One end of the shoring plank was yet held by the upright placed in the center of the cutting, and it remained at an angle, although pinning him down, while the earth covered him completely.
repliednounUS /replied/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Here I am under the timber," he replied.
savednounUS /saved/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
shoring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One end of the shoring plank was yet held by the upright placed in the center of the cutting, and it remained at an angle, although pinning him down, while the earth covered him completely.
shovel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
Skip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
stooped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
supported
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment he was at a loss to know what had happened, and then he heard, as if from afar off, Joe calling him by name.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
timber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Here I am under the timber," he replied.
timbers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
tunnel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading "Here I am under the timber," he replied.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
upright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One end of the shoring plank was yet held by the upright placed in the center of the cutting, and it remained at an angle, although pinning him down, while the earth covered him completely.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One end of the shoring plank was yet held by the upright placed in the center of the cutting, and it remained at an angle, although pinning him down, while the earth covered him completely.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading For a moment he was at a loss to know what had happened, and then he heard, as if from afar off, Joe calling him by name.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading BURIED ALIVE At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tunnel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this position saved him from being instantly killed.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading One end of the shoring plank was yet held by the upright placed in the center of the cutting, and it remained at an angle, although pinning him down, while the earth covered him completely.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading One end of the shoring plank was yet held by the upright placed in the center of the cutting, and it remained at an angle, although pinning him down, while the earth covered him completely.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Are you hurt much?"