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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 We set to work with a will, taking turns with the pickaxe and the two shovels.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading I must confess that our speed slowed down considerably after the first wild burst, but we kept at it steadily.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE FIRST GOLD We arose before daylight, picketed our horses, left our dishes unwashed, and hurried down to the diggings just at sun-up carrying our gold pans or "washbowls," and our extra tools.
arose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST GOLD We arose before daylight, picketed our horses, left our dishes unwashed, and hurried down to the diggings just at sun-up carrying our gold pans or "washbowls," and our extra tools.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The bar was as yet deserted.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE FIRST GOLD We arose before daylight, picketed our horses, left our dishes unwashed, and hurried down to the diggings just at sun-up carrying our gold pans or "washbowls," and our extra tools.
bar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bar was as yet deserted.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE FIRST GOLD We arose before daylight, picketed our horses, left our dishes unwashed, and hurried down to the diggings just at sun-up carrying our gold pans or "washbowls," and our extra tools.
burst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must confess that our speed slowed down considerably after the first wild burst, but we kept at it steadily.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I must confess that our speed slowed down considerably after the first wild burst, but we kept at it steadily.
carrying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST GOLD We arose before daylight, picketed our horses, left our dishes unwashed, and hurried down to the diggings just at sun-up carrying our gold pans or "washbowls," and our extra tools.
city
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was hard work, and there is no denying it, just the sort of plain hard work the day labourer does when he digs sewer trenches in the city streets.
confess
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From this reading I must confess that our speed slowed down considerably after the first wild burst, but we kept at it steadily.
considerably
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From this reading I must confess that our speed slowed down considerably after the first wild burst, but we kept at it steadily.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was hard work, and there is no denying it, just the sort of plain hard work the day labourer does when he digs sewer trenches in the city streets.
daylight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST GOLD We arose before daylight, picketed our horses, left our dishes unwashed, and hurried down to the diggings just at sun-up carrying our gold pans or "washbowls," and our extra tools.
denying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was hard work, and there is no denying it, just the sort of plain hard work the day labourer does when he digs sewer trenches in the city streets.
desertedverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/
left a place or vessel without intending to return
From this reading The bar was as yet deserted.
diggings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST GOLD We arose before daylight, picketed our horses, left our dishes unwashed, and hurried down to the diggings just at sun-up carrying our gold pans or "washbowls," and our extra tools.
digs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was hard work, and there is no denying it, just the sort of plain hard work the day labourer does when he digs sewer trenches in the city streets.
dishes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST GOLD We arose before daylight, picketed our horses, left our dishes unwashed, and hurried down to the diggings just at sun-up carrying our gold pans or "washbowls," and our extra tools.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was hard work, and there is no denying it, just the sort of plain hard work the day labourer does when he digs sewer trenches in the city streets.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST GOLD We arose before daylight, picketed our horses, left our dishes unwashed, and hurried down to the diggings just at sun-up carrying our gold pans or "washbowls," and our extra tools.
extra
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST GOLD We arose before daylight, picketed our horses, left our dishes unwashed, and hurried down to the diggings just at sun-up carrying our gold pans or "washbowls," and our extra tools.
FIRSTnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE FIRST GOLD We arose before daylight, picketed our horses, left our dishes unwashed, and hurried down to the diggings just at sun-up carrying our gold pans or "washbowls," and our extra tools.
GOLD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST GOLD We arose before daylight, picketed our horses, left our dishes unwashed, and hurried down to the diggings just at sun-up carrying our gold pans or "washbowls," and our extra tools.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was hard work, and there is no denying it, just the sort of plain hard work the day labourer does when he digs sewer trenches in the city streets.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was hard work, and there is no denying it, just the sort of plain hard work the day labourer does when he digs sewer trenches in the city streets.
horses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST GOLD We arose before daylight, picketed our horses, left our dishes unwashed, and hurried down to the diggings just at sun-up carrying our gold pans or "washbowls," and our extra tools.
hurried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST GOLD We arose before daylight, picketed our horses, left our dishes unwashed, and hurried down to the diggings just at sun-up carrying our gold pans or "washbowls," and our extra tools.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I must confess that our speed slowed down considerably after the first wild burst, but we kept at it steadily.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was hard work, and there is no denying it, just the sort of plain hard work the day labourer does when he digs sewer trenches in the city streets.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was hard work, and there is no denying it, just the sort of plain hard work the day labourer does when he digs sewer trenches in the city streets.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I must confess that our speed slowed down considerably after the first wild burst, but we kept at it steadily.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST GOLD We arose before daylight, picketed our horses, left our dishes unwashed, and hurried down to the diggings just at sun-up carrying our gold pans or "washbowls," and our extra tools.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must confess that our speed slowed down considerably after the first wild burst, but we kept at it steadily.
labourer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was hard work, and there is no denying it, just the sort of plain hard work the day labourer does when he digs sewer trenches in the city streets.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE FIRST GOLD We arose before daylight, picketed our horses, left our dishes unwashed, and hurried down to the diggings just at sun-up carrying our gold pans or "washbowls," and our extra tools.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading I must confess that our speed slowed down considerably after the first wild burst, but we kept at it steadily.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading It was hard work, and there is no denying it, just the sort of plain hard work the day labourer does when he digs sewer trenches in the city streets.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was hard work, and there is no denying it, just the sort of plain hard work the day labourer does when he digs sewer trenches in the city streets.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE FIRST GOLD We arose before daylight, picketed our horses, left our dishes unwashed, and hurried down to the diggings just at sun-up carrying our gold pans or "washbowls," and our extra tools.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading THE FIRST GOLD We arose before daylight, picketed our horses, left our dishes unwashed, and hurried down to the diggings just at sun-up carrying our gold pans or "washbowls," and our extra tools.
pans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST GOLD We arose before daylight, picketed our horses, left our dishes unwashed, and hurried down to the diggings just at sun-up carrying our gold pans or "washbowls," and our extra tools.
pickaxe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We set to work with a will, taking turns with the pickaxe and the two shovels.
picketed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST GOLD We arose before daylight, picketed our horses, left our dishes unwashed, and hurried down to the diggings just at sun-up carrying our gold pans or "washbowls," and our extra tools.
plain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was hard work, and there is no denying it, just the sort of plain hard work the day labourer does when he digs sewer trenches in the city streets.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We set to work with a will, taking turns with the pickaxe and the two shovels.
sewer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was hard work, and there is no denying it, just the sort of plain hard work the day labourer does when he digs sewer trenches in the city streets.
shovels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We set to work with a will, taking turns with the pickaxe and the two shovels.
slowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must confess that our speed slowed down considerably after the first wild burst, but we kept at it steadily.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was hard work, and there is no denying it, just the sort of plain hard work the day labourer does when he digs sewer trenches in the city streets.
speed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must confess that our speed slowed down considerably after the first wild burst, but we kept at it steadily.
steadily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must confess that our speed slowed down considerably after the first wild burst, but we kept at it steadily.
streets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was hard work, and there is no denying it, just the sort of plain hard work the day labourer does when he digs sewer trenches in the city streets.
sun-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST GOLD We arose before daylight, picketed our horses, left our dishes unwashed, and hurried down to the diggings just at sun-up carrying our gold pans or "washbowls," and our extra tools.
taking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We set to work with a will, taking turns with the pickaxe and the two shovels.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I must confess that our speed slowed down considerably after the first wild burst, but we kept at it steadily.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FIRST GOLD We arose before daylight, picketed our horses, left our dishes unwashed, and hurried down to the diggings just at sun-up carrying our gold pans or "washbowls," and our extra tools.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was hard work, and there is no denying it, just the sort of plain hard work the day labourer does when he digs sewer trenches in the city streets.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE FIRST GOLD We arose before daylight, picketed our horses, left our dishes unwashed, and hurried down to the diggings just at sun-up carrying our gold pans or "washbowls," and our extra tools.
tools
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST GOLD We arose before daylight, picketed our horses, left our dishes unwashed, and hurried down to the diggings just at sun-up carrying our gold pans or "washbowls," and our extra tools.
trenches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was hard work, and there is no denying it, just the sort of plain hard work the day labourer does when he digs sewer trenches in the city streets.
turns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We set to work with a will, taking turns with the pickaxe and the two shovels.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We set to work with a will, taking turns with the pickaxe and the two shovels.
unwashed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST GOLD We arose before daylight, picketed our horses, left our dishes unwashed, and hurried down to the diggings just at sun-up carrying our gold pans or "washbowls," and our extra tools.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The bar was as yet deserted.
washbowls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST GOLD We arose before daylight, picketed our horses, left our dishes unwashed, and hurried down to the diggings just at sun-up carrying our gold pans or "washbowls," and our extra tools.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading THE FIRST GOLD We arose before daylight, picketed our horses, left our dishes unwashed, and hurried down to the diggings just at sun-up carrying our gold pans or "washbowls," and our extra tools.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It was hard work, and there is no denying it, just the sort of plain hard work the day labourer does when he digs sewer trenches in the city streets.
wild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must confess that our speed slowed down considerably after the first wild burst, but we kept at it steadily.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading We set to work with a will, taking turns with the pickaxe and the two shovels.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading We set to work with a will, taking turns with the pickaxe and the two shovels.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We set to work with a will, taking turns with the pickaxe and the two shovels.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading The bar was as yet deserted.
