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 JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
Austin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
banks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
beach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Austin could hear the creek lapping on the beach, and the deep humming of the _Cumbria_'s pump, softened by the distance.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
blinking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
board
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Austin could hear the creek lapping on the beach, and the deep humming of the _Cumbria_'s pump, softened by the distance.
cloud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
cottonwood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Austin could hear the creek lapping on the beach, and the deep humming of the _Cumbria_'s pump, softened by the distance.
creek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Austin could hear the creek lapping on the beach, and the deep humming of the _Cumbria_'s pump, softened by the distance.
Cumbria
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Austin could hear the creek lapping on the beach, and the deep humming of the _Cumbria_'s pump, softened by the distance.
deep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Austin could hear the creek lapping on the beach, and the deep humming of the _Cumbria_'s pump, softened by the distance.
digging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
distance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Austin could hear the creek lapping on the beach, and the deep humming of the _Cumbria_'s pump, softened by the distance.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
excavation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
FINDS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
fitfully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
flung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
GUM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
half-moon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
half-rotten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Austin could hear the creek lapping on the beach, and the deep humming of the _Cumbria_'s pump, softened by the distance.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
humming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Austin could hear the creek lapping on the beach, and the deep humming of the _Cumbria_'s pump, softened by the distance.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
intersecting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
islet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
jarred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
JEFFERSON
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
lapping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Austin could hear the creek lapping on the beach, and the deep humming of the _Cumbria_'s pump, softened by the distance.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
massed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
mile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
orchids
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
palm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
partly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
pump
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Austin could hear the creek lapping on the beach, and the deep humming of the _Cumbria_'s pump, softened by the distance.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
ready
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
rift
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
s
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Austin could hear the creek lapping on the beach, and the deep humming of the _Cumbria_'s pump, softened by the distance.
sand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
sandy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
shone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
shovelling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
softened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Austin could hear the creek lapping on the beach, and the deep humming of the _Cumbria_'s pump, softened by the distance.
Spaniards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
sprang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
strenuously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
thud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
toiling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
trench
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She lay, with a light or two blinking fitfully on board her, half a mile away, ready at last for sea.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were shovelling strenuously, and the thud of the sand they flung out jarred on the silence, for the night was very still.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading JEFFERSON FINDS THE GUM A half-moon shone in a rift between the massed banks of cloud when Austin stood looking down into the trench four of the Spaniards were digging.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It ran partly across the islet, which was small and sandy, intersecting another excavation that had a palm at one end of it, while a half-rotten cottonwood, from which orchids sprang, stood in line with the trench the men were toiling in.
