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 Every minute of the eight hours counted; in the tunnel work, three shifts kept the bore progressing at the rate of twelve feet a day, which, as Nash soon learned, was a world’s record for hard rock.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Nash would have preferred a more responsible place, but as it was to serve merely as an opening wedge—to show the foreman he was capable of better things—he did not demur.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Every minute of the eight hours counted; in the tunnel work, three shifts kept the bore progressing at the rate of twelve feet a day, which, as Nash soon learned, was a world’s record for hard rock.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Every minute of the eight hours counted; in the tunnel work, three shifts kept the bore progressing at the rate of twelve feet a day, which, as Nash soon learned, was a world’s record for hard rock.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading Hooker put Nash on the easiest part of the construction work, namely, the conduit building, possibly because it required less technical knowledge and was the cleanest.
better
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From this reading Nash would have preferred a more responsible place, but as it was to serve merely as an opening wedge—to show the foreman he was capable of better things—he did not demur.
bore
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From this reading Every minute of the eight hours counted; in the tunnel work, three shifts kept the bore progressing at the rate of twelve feet a day, which, as Nash soon learned, was a world’s record for hard rock.
building
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hooker put Nash on the easiest part of the construction work, namely, the conduit building, possibly because it required less technical knowledge and was the cleanest.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Nash would have preferred a more responsible place, but as it was to serve merely as an opening wedge—to show the foreman he was capable of better things—he did not demur.
capable
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From this reading Nash would have preferred a more responsible place, but as it was to serve merely as an opening wedge—to show the foreman he was capable of better things—he did not demur.
carried
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From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
cleanest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hooker put Nash on the easiest part of the construction work, namely, the conduit building, possibly because it required less technical knowledge and was the cleanest.
conduit
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From this reading Hooker put Nash on the easiest part of the construction work, namely, the conduit building, possibly because it required less technical knowledge and was the cleanest.
construction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hooker put Nash on the easiest part of the construction work, namely, the conduit building, possibly because it required less technical knowledge and was the cleanest.
counted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every minute of the eight hours counted; in the tunnel work, three shifts kept the bore progressing at the rate of twelve feet a day, which, as Nash soon learned, was a world’s record for hard rock.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every minute of the eight hours counted; in the tunnel work, three shifts kept the bore progressing at the rate of twelve feet a day, which, as Nash soon learned, was a world’s record for hard rock.
DAY'S
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From this reading THE DAY’S WORK.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
demur
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From this reading Nash would have preferred a more responsible place, but as it was to serve merely as an opening wedge—to show the foreman he was capable of better things—he did not demur.
detailsnounUS /ˈdetails/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Nash would have preferred a more responsible place, but as it was to serve merely as an opening wedge—to show the foreman he was capable of better things—he did not demur.
direction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
easiest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hooker put Nash on the easiest part of the construction work, namely, the conduit building, possibly because it required less technical knowledge and was the cleanest.
eight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every minute of the eight hours counted; in the tunnel work, three shifts kept the bore progressing at the rate of twelve feet a day, which, as Nash soon learned, was a world’s record for hard rock.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every minute of the eight hours counted; in the tunnel work, three shifts kept the bore progressing at the rate of twelve feet a day, which, as Nash soon learned, was a world’s record for hard rock.
excitement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every minute of the eight hours counted; in the tunnel work, three shifts kept the bore progressing at the rate of twelve feet a day, which, as Nash soon learned, was a world’s record for hard rock.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
filled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
foreman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nash would have preferred a more responsible place, but as it was to serve merely as an opening wedge—to show the foreman he was capable of better things—he did not demur.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
grasping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every minute of the eight hours counted; in the tunnel work, three shifts kept the bore progressing at the rate of twelve feet a day, which, as Nash soon learned, was a world’s record for hard rock.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Nash would have preferred a more responsible place, but as it was to serve merely as an opening wedge—to show the foreman he was capable of better things—he did not demur.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nash would have preferred a more responsible place, but as it was to serve merely as an opening wedge—to show the foreman he was capable of better things—he did not demur.
Hooker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hooker put Nash on the easiest part of the construction work, namely, the conduit building, possibly because it required less technical knowledge and was the cleanest.
Hooker's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every minute of the eight hours counted; in the tunnel work, three shifts kept the bore progressing at the rate of twelve feet a day, which, as Nash soon learned, was a world’s record for hard rock.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Hooker put Nash on the easiest part of the construction work, namely, the conduit building, possibly because it required less technical knowledge and was the cleanest.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every minute of the eight hours counted; in the tunnel work, three shifts kept the bore progressing at the rate of twelve feet a day, which, as Nash soon learned, was a world’s record for hard rock.
knowledge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hooker put Nash on the easiest part of the construction work, namely, the conduit building, possibly because it required less technical knowledge and was the cleanest.
learned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every minute of the eight hours counted; in the tunnel work, three shifts kept the bore progressing at the rate of twelve feet a day, which, as Nash soon learned, was a world’s record for hard rock.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hooker put Nash on the easiest part of the construction work, namely, the conduit building, possibly because it required less technical knowledge and was the cleanest.
merely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nash would have preferred a more responsible place, but as it was to serve merely as an opening wedge—to show the foreman he was capable of better things—he did not demur.
method
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
minute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every minute of the eight hours counted; in the tunnel work, three shifts kept the bore progressing at the rate of twelve feet a day, which, as Nash soon learned, was a world’s record for hard rock.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nash would have preferred a more responsible place, but as it was to serve merely as an opening wedge—to show the foreman he was capable of better things—he did not demur.
namely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hooker put Nash on the easiest part of the construction work, namely, the conduit building, possibly because it required less technical knowledge and was the cleanest.
Nash
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Nash would have preferred a more responsible place, but as it was to serve merely as an opening wedge—to show the foreman he was capable of better things—he did not demur.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Hooker put Nash on the easiest part of the construction work, namely, the conduit building, possibly because it required less technical knowledge and was the cleanest.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
opening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nash would have preferred a more responsible place, but as it was to serve merely as an opening wedge—to show the foreman he was capable of better things—he did not demur.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Hooker put Nash on the easiest part of the construction work, namely, the conduit building, possibly because it required less technical knowledge and was the cleanest.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nash would have preferred a more responsible place, but as it was to serve merely as an opening wedge—to show the foreman he was capable of better things—he did not demur.
possibly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hooker put Nash on the easiest part of the construction work, namely, the conduit building, possibly because it required less technical knowledge and was the cleanest.
preferred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nash would have preferred a more responsible place, but as it was to serve merely as an opening wedge—to show the foreman he was capable of better things—he did not demur.
prevailed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
progressing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every minute of the eight hours counted; in the tunnel work, three shifts kept the bore progressing at the rate of twelve feet a day, which, as Nash soon learned, was a world’s record for hard rock.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hooker put Nash on the easiest part of the construction work, namely, the conduit building, possibly because it required less technical knowledge and was the cleanest.
rate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every minute of the eight hours counted; in the tunnel work, three shifts kept the bore progressing at the rate of twelve feet a day, which, as Nash soon learned, was a world’s record for hard rock.
record
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every minute of the eight hours counted; in the tunnel work, three shifts kept the bore progressing at the rate of twelve feet a day, which, as Nash soon learned, was a world’s record for hard rock.
remarkablenounUS /ˈremarkable/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
requirednounUS /required/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Hooker put Nash on the easiest part of the construction work, namely, the conduit building, possibly because it required less technical knowledge and was the cleanest.
responsibleadjectiveUS /rɪˈspɑnsəbəl/
having a duty to protect or manage something
From this reading Nash would have preferred a more responsible place, but as it was to serve merely as an opening wedge—to show the foreman he was capable of better things—he did not demur.
rock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every minute of the eight hours counted; in the tunnel work, three shifts kept the bore progressing at the rate of twelve feet a day, which, as Nash soon learned, was a world’s record for hard rock.
serve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nash would have preferred a more responsible place, but as it was to serve merely as an opening wedge—to show the foreman he was capable of better things—he did not demur.
shifts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every minute of the eight hours counted; in the tunnel work, three shifts kept the bore progressing at the rate of twelve feet a day, which, as Nash soon learned, was a world’s record for hard rock.
show
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nash would have preferred a more responsible place, but as it was to serve merely as an opening wedge—to show the foreman he was capable of better things—he did not demur.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every minute of the eight hours counted; in the tunnel work, three shifts kept the bore progressing at the rate of twelve feet a day, which, as Nash soon learned, was a world’s record for hard rock.
system
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
technical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hooker put Nash on the easiest part of the construction work, namely, the conduit building, possibly because it required less technical knowledge and was the cleanest.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DAY’S WORK.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nash would have preferred a more responsible place, but as it was to serve merely as an opening wedge—to show the foreman he was capable of better things—he did not demur.
thousand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every minute of the eight hours counted; in the tunnel work, three shifts kept the bore progressing at the rate of twelve feet a day, which, as Nash soon learned, was a world’s record for hard rock.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Nash would have preferred a more responsible place, but as it was to serve merely as an opening wedge—to show the foreman he was capable of better things—he did not demur.
tunnel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every minute of the eight hours counted; in the tunnel work, three shifts kept the bore progressing at the rate of twelve feet a day, which, as Nash soon learned, was a world’s record for hard rock.
twelve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every minute of the eight hours counted; in the tunnel work, three shifts kept the bore progressing at the rate of twelve feet a day, which, as Nash soon learned, was a world’s record for hard rock.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
understanding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
wedge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nash would have preferred a more responsible place, but as it was to serve merely as an opening wedge—to show the foreman he was capable of better things—he did not demur.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The next few days, for Nash, were filled with excitement—the grasping of the thousand and one details, the understanding of the remarkable system that prevailed under Hooker’s direction, and the method in which the work was carried forward.
WORK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DAY’S WORK.
world's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every minute of the eight hours counted; in the tunnel work, three shifts kept the bore progressing at the rate of twelve feet a day, which, as Nash soon learned, was a world’s record for hard rock.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Nash would have preferred a more responsible place, but as it was to serve merely as an opening wedge—to show the foreman he was capable of better things—he did not demur.
