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Dust: A Novel
Dust: A Novel

Chapter XXI

Cover illustration for Dust: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/42 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The dead man’s horse had disappeared, and was probably trotting back to his stable in Twickenham.
But Tom Bendibow’s steed, which knew its master, could be heard cropping the herbage a few rods away, at the other end of the open place.
This sound, and the struggling breathing of Tom himself, were distinctly audible in the stillness of the night.
Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.
Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Dust: A Novel

Chapter XXI

Reading 1/42 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The dead man’s horse had disappeared, and was probably trotting back to his stable in Twickenham.
Line 2
But Tom Bendibow’s steed, which knew its master, could be heard cropping the herbage a few rods away, at the other end of the open place.
Line 3
This sound, and the struggling breathing of Tom himself, were distinctly audible in the stillness of the night.
Line 4
Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.
Line 5
Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.”

Broken noun US /broken/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “But Tom Bendibow’s steed, which knew its master, could be heard cropping the herbage a few rods away, at the other end of the open place.”

Dead noun US /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The dead man’s horse had disappeared, and was probably trotting back to his stable in Twickenham.”

Disappeared noun US /ˈdisappeared/

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

From this reading “The dead man’s horse had disappeared, and was probably trotting back to his stable in Twickenham.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “This sound, and the struggling breathing of Tom himself, were distinctly audible in the stillness of the night.”

Meanwhile noun US /ˈmeanwhile/

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

From this reading “Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “But Tom Bendibow’s steed, which knew its master, could be heard cropping the herbage a few rods away, at the other end of the open place.”

Resting noun US /ˈresting/

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

From this reading “Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

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

From this reading “Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.”

All words in this reading · 94

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 But Tom Bendibow’s steed, which knew its master, could be heard cropping the herbage a few rods away, at the other end of the open place.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The dead man’s horse had disappeared, and was probably trotting back to his stable in Twickenham.

any

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

From this reading Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.

apparently

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

From this reading Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But Tom Bendibow’s steed, which knew its master, could be heard cropping the herbage a few rods away, at the other end of the open place.

audible

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

From this reading This sound, and the struggling breathing of Tom himself, were distinctly audible in the stillness of the night.

away

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

From this reading But Tom Bendibow’s steed, which knew its master, could be heard cropping the herbage a few rods away, at the other end of the open place.

back

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

From this reading The dead man’s horse had disappeared, and was probably trotting back to his stable in Twickenham.

base

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

From this reading Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading But Tom Bendibow’s steed, which knew its master, could be heard cropping the herbage a few rods away, at the other end of the open place.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.

Bendibow's

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

From this reading But Tom Bendibow’s steed, which knew its master, could be heard cropping the herbage a few rods away, at the other end of the open place.

blow

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

From this reading Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.

breathing

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

From this reading This sound, and the struggling breathing of Tom himself, were distinctly audible in the stillness of the night.

brokennounUS /broken/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But Tom Bendibow’s steed, which knew its master, could be heard cropping the herbage a few rods away, at the other end of the open place.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading But Tom Bendibow’s steed, which knew its master, could be heard cropping the herbage a few rods away, at the other end of the open place.

cropping

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

From this reading But Tom Bendibow’s steed, which knew its master, could be heard cropping the herbage a few rods away, at the other end of the open place.

crushing

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

From this reading Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.

deadnounUS /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The dead man’s horse had disappeared, and was probably trotting back to his stable in Twickenham.

disappearednounUS /ˈdisappeared/

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

From this reading The dead man’s horse had disappeared, and was probably trotting back to his stable in Twickenham.

distinctly

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

From this reading This sound, and the struggling breathing of Tom himself, were distinctly audible in the stillness of the night.

doubt

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

From this reading Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.

ear

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

From this reading Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.

end

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

From this reading But Tom Bendibow’s steed, which knew its master, could be heard cropping the herbage a few rods away, at the other end of the open place.

examining

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

From this reading Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.

few

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

From this reading But Tom Bendibow’s steed, which knew its master, could be heard cropping the herbage a few rods away, at the other end of the open place.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.

Grant's

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

From this reading Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The dead man’s horse had disappeared, and was probably trotting back to his stable in Twickenham.

head

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

From this reading Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.

heard

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

From this reading But Tom Bendibow’s steed, which knew its master, could be heard cropping the herbage a few rods away, at the other end of the open place.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.

herbage

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

From this reading But Tom Bendibow’s steed, which knew its master, could be heard cropping the herbage a few rods away, at the other end of the open place.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading This sound, and the struggling breathing of Tom himself, were distinctly audible in the stillness of the night.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The dead man’s horse had disappeared, and was probably trotting back to his stable in Twickenham.

hoof

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

From this reading Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.

horse

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

From this reading The dead man’s horse had disappeared, and was probably trotting back to his stable in Twickenham.

horse's

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

From this reading Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The dead man’s horse had disappeared, and was probably trotting back to his stable in Twickenham.

injuries

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

From this reading Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading But Tom Bendibow’s steed, which knew its master, could be heard cropping the herbage a few rods away, at the other end of the open place.

knew

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

From this reading But Tom Bendibow’s steed, which knew its master, could be heard cropping the herbage a few rods away, at the other end of the open place.

lap

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

From this reading Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.

longer

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

From this reading Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.

man's

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

From this reading The dead man’s horse had disappeared, and was probably trotting back to his stable in Twickenham.

Marion

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

From this reading Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.

master

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

From this reading But Tom Bendibow’s steed, which knew its master, could be heard cropping the herbage a few rods away, at the other end of the open place.

meanwhilenounUS /ˈmeanwhile/

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

From this reading Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.

minutes

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

From this reading Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.

motionless

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

From this reading Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.

Mr

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

From this reading Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.

night

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

From this reading This sound, and the struggling breathing of Tom himself, were distinctly audible in the stillness of the night.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But Tom Bendibow’s steed, which knew its master, could be heard cropping the herbage a few rods away, at the other end of the open place.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading But Tom Bendibow’s steed, which knew its master, could be heard cropping the herbage a few rods away, at the other end of the open place.

other

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

From this reading But Tom Bendibow’s steed, which knew its master, could be heard cropping the herbage a few rods away, at the other end of the open place.

Philip

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

From this reading Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.

place

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

From this reading But Tom Bendibow’s steed, which knew its master, could be heard cropping the herbage a few rods away, at the other end of the open place.

probably

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

From this reading The dead man’s horse had disappeared, and was probably trotting back to his stable in Twickenham.

proved

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

From this reading Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.

restingnounUS /ˈresting/

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

From this reading Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.

ribs

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

From this reading Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.

rods

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

From this reading But Tom Bendibow’s steed, which knew its master, could be heard cropping the herbage a few rods away, at the other end of the open place.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.

sat

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

From this reading Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.

several

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

From this reading Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.

side

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

From this reading Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.

silent

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

From this reading Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.

sound

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

From this reading This sound, and the struggling breathing of Tom himself, were distinctly audible in the stillness of the night.

stable

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

From this reading The dead man’s horse had disappeared, and was probably trotting back to his stable in Twickenham.

stamp

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

From this reading Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.

steed

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

From this reading But Tom Bendibow’s steed, which knew its master, could be heard cropping the herbage a few rods away, at the other end of the open place.

stillness

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

From this reading This sound, and the struggling breathing of Tom himself, were distinctly audible in the stillness of the night.

struggling

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

From this reading This sound, and the struggling breathing of Tom himself, were distinctly audible in the stillness of the night.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The dead man’s horse had disappeared, and was probably trotting back to his stable in Twickenham.

there

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

From this reading Marion, after there was no longer any doubt as to Mr. Grant’s being dead, sat for several minutes motionless and silent, his head resting on her lap.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This sound, and the struggling breathing of Tom himself, were distinctly audible in the stillness of the night.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The dead man’s horse had disappeared, and was probably trotting back to his stable in Twickenham.

Tom

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

From this reading But Tom Bendibow’s steed, which knew its master, could be heard cropping the herbage a few rods away, at the other end of the open place.

Tom's

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

From this reading Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.

trotting

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

From this reading The dead man’s horse had disappeared, and was probably trotting back to his stable in Twickenham.

Twickenham

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

From this reading The dead man’s horse had disappeared, and was probably trotting back to his stable in Twickenham.

two

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

From this reading Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.

upper

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

From this reading Philip meanwhile was examining Tom’s injuries, which proved to be a crushing blow at the base of the head, behind the right ear, and two upper ribs on the same side broken, apparently by the stamp of a horse’s hoof.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The dead man’s horse had disappeared, and was probably trotting back to his stable in Twickenham.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading This sound, and the struggling breathing of Tom himself, were distinctly audible in the stillness of the night.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading But Tom Bendibow’s steed, which knew its master, could be heard cropping the herbage a few rods away, at the other end of the open place.