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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 To loosen the tight, aching muscles of his throat he began to sing--old Irish songs with a wail and a swing to them.
AboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Above all things in the world he wished to avoid the Scotchman now, and as soon as he became conscious of his whereabouts, he veered sharply to the right.
aching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To loosen the tight, aching muscles of his throat he began to sing--old Irish songs with a wail and a swing to them.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
all
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From this reading Above all things in the world he wished to avoid the Scotchman now, and as soon as he became conscious of his whereabouts, he veered sharply to the right.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To loosen the tight, aching muscles of his throat he began to sing--old Irish songs with a wail and a swing to them.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Above all things in the world he wished to avoid the Scotchman now, and as soon as he became conscious of his whereabouts, he veered sharply to the right.
avoid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above all things in the world he wished to avoid the Scotchman now, and as soon as he became conscious of his whereabouts, he veered sharply to the right.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above all things in the world he wished to avoid the Scotchman now, and as soon as he became conscious of his whereabouts, he veered sharply to the right.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He had scarcely walked a minute in the new direction before he met McTee.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To loosen the tight, aching muscles of his throat he began to sing--old Irish songs with a wail and a swing to them.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
central
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
conscious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above all things in the world he wished to avoid the Scotchman now, and as soon as he became conscious of his whereabouts, he veered sharply to the right.
direction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
dry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
Harrigan
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From this reading Harrigan strode off through the trees.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To loosen the tight, aching muscles of his throat he began to sing--old Irish songs with a wail and a swing to them.
hill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading To loosen the tight, aching muscles of his throat he began to sing--old Irish songs with a wail and a swing to them.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Above all things in the world he wished to avoid the Scotchman now, and as soon as he became conscious of his whereabouts, he veered sharply to the right.
Irish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To loosen the tight, aching muscles of his throat he began to sing--old Irish songs with a wail and a swing to them.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
loosen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To loosen the tight, aching muscles of his throat he began to sing--old Irish songs with a wail and a swing to them.
McTee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had scarcely walked a minute in the new direction before he met McTee.
minute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had scarcely walked a minute in the new direction before he met McTee.
muscles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To loosen the tight, aching muscles of his throat he began to sing--old Irish songs with a wail and a swing to them.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had scarcely walked a minute in the new direction before he met McTee.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above all things in the world he wished to avoid the Scotchman now, and as soon as he became conscious of his whereabouts, he veered sharply to the right.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To loosen the tight, aching muscles of his throat he began to sing--old Irish songs with a wail and a swing to them.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harrigan strode off through the trees.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To loosen the tight, aching muscles of his throat he began to sing--old Irish songs with a wail and a swing to them.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
realized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Above all things in the world he wished to avoid the Scotchman now, and as soon as he became conscious of his whereabouts, he veered sharply to the right.
scarcely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had scarcely walked a minute in the new direction before he met McTee.
Scotchman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above all things in the world he wished to avoid the Scotchman now, and as soon as he became conscious of his whereabouts, he veered sharply to the right.
sharplynounUS /ˈsharply/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Above all things in the world he wished to avoid the Scotchman now, and as soon as he became conscious of his whereabouts, he veered sharply to the right.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
sing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To loosen the tight, aching muscles of his throat he began to sing--old Irish songs with a wail and a swing to them.
songs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To loosen the tight, aching muscles of his throat he began to sing--old Irish songs with a wail and a swing to them.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above all things in the world he wished to avoid the Scotchman now, and as soon as he became conscious of his whereabouts, he veered sharply to the right.
strode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harrigan strode off through the trees.
swing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To loosen the tight, aching muscles of his throat he began to sing--old Irish songs with a wail and a swing to them.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Harrigan strode off through the trees.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading To loosen the tight, aching muscles of his throat he began to sing--old Irish songs with a wail and a swing to them.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above all things in the world he wished to avoid the Scotchman now, and as soon as he became conscious of his whereabouts, he veered sharply to the right.
throatnounUS /θroʊt/
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading To loosen the tight, aching muscles of his throat he began to sing--old Irish songs with a wail and a swing to them.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Harrigan strode off through the trees.
tight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To loosen the tight, aching muscles of his throat he began to sing--old Irish songs with a wail and a swing to them.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To loosen the tight, aching muscles of his throat he began to sing--old Irish songs with a wail and a swing to them.
trees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harrigan strode off through the trees.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
veered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above all things in the world he wished to avoid the Scotchman now, and as soon as he became conscious of his whereabouts, he veered sharply to the right.
wail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To loosen the tight, aching muscles of his throat he began to sing--old Irish songs with a wail and a swing to them.
walked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had scarcely walked a minute in the new direction before he met McTee.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
whereabouts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above all things in the world he wished to avoid the Scotchman now, and as soon as he became conscious of his whereabouts, he veered sharply to the right.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
wished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading To loosen the tight, aching muscles of his throat he began to sing--old Irish songs with a wail and a swing to them.
wood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had taken no certain direction, for he only wished to be alone and far away from the other two; but after a time he realized that he was on the side of the central hill to which McTee had gone to look for the dry wood.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above all things in the world he wished to avoid the Scotchman now, and as soon as he became conscious of his whereabouts, he veered sharply to the right.