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 That the verdict was a just one was apparent from the reports of both McGowan's and the Railroad Company's experts.
ahead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The check “struck” MacFarlane just as the chairman had said it would, wiping out his losses by the flood with something ahead for his next undertaking.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That the verdict was a just one was apparent from the reports of both McGowan's and the Railroad Company's experts.
answer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He not only sent in his report, but appeared himself, he told the Council, so as to answer any questions Mr. McGowan or his friends might ask.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He not only sent in his report, but appeared himself, he told the Council, so as to answer any questions Mr. McGowan or his friends might ask.
apparent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the verdict was a just one was apparent from the reports of both McGowan's and the Railroad Company's experts.
appeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He not only sent in his report, but appeared himself, he told the Council, so as to answer any questions Mr. McGowan or his friends might ask.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The check “struck” MacFarlane just as the chairman had said it would, wiping out his losses by the flood with something ahead for his next undertaking.
ask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He not only sent in his report, but appeared himself, he told the Council, so as to answer any questions Mr. McGowan or his friends might ask.
backing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Even then there might have been some doubt as to the outcome but for Holker Morris's testimony.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading That the verdict was a just one was apparent from the reports of both McGowan's and the Railroad Company's experts.
built
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The check “struck” MacFarlane just as the chairman had said it would, wiping out his losses by the flood with something ahead for his next undertaking.
caused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
caving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
cement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
chairman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The check “struck” MacFarlane just as the chairman had said it would, wiping out his losses by the flood with something ahead for his next undertaking.
check
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The check “struck” MacFarlane just as the chairman had said it would, wiping out his losses by the flood with something ahead for his next undertaking.
collapse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
Company's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the verdict was a just one was apparent from the reports of both McGowan's and the Railroad Company's experts.
composed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
contract
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
CouncilnounUS /council/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He not only sent in his report, but appeared himself, he told the Council, so as to answer any questions Mr. McGowan or his friends might ask.
culverts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
direct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
doubt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even then there might have been some doubt as to the outcome but for Holker Morris's testimony.
downpour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
EvennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even then there might have been some doubt as to the outcome but for Holker Morris's testimony.
experts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the verdict was a just one was apparent from the reports of both McGowan's and the Railroad Company's experts.
flood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The check “struck” MacFarlane just as the chairman had said it would, wiping out his losses by the flood with something ahead for his next undertaking.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The check “struck” MacFarlane just as the chairman had said it would, wiping out his losses by the flood with something ahead for his next undertaking.
friends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He not only sent in his report, but appeared himself, he told the Council, so as to answer any questions Mr. McGowan or his friends might ask.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading That the verdict was a just one was apparent from the reports of both McGowan's and the Railroad Company's experts.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The check “struck” MacFarlane just as the chairman had said it would, wiping out his losses by the flood with something ahead for his next undertaking.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Even then there might have been some doubt as to the outcome but for Holker Morris's testimony.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He not only sent in his report, but appeared himself, he told the Council, so as to answer any questions Mr. McGowan or his friends might ask.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He not only sent in his report, but appeared himself, he told the Council, so as to answer any questions Mr. McGowan or his friends might ask.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The check “struck” MacFarlane just as the chairman had said it would, wiping out his losses by the flood with something ahead for his next undertaking.
Holker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even then there might have been some doubt as to the outcome but for Holker Morris's testimony.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The check “struck” MacFarlane just as the chairman had said it would, wiping out his losses by the flood with something ahead for his next undertaking.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The check “struck” MacFarlane just as the chairman had said it would, wiping out his losses by the flood with something ahead for his next undertaking.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
loose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
losses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The check “struck” MacFarlane just as the chairman had said it would, wiping out his losses by the flood with something ahead for his next undertaking.
MacFarlane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The check “struck” MacFarlane just as the chairman had said it would, wiping out his losses by the flood with something ahead for his next undertaking.
masonry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
materials
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
McGowan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
McGowan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the verdict was a just one was apparent from the reports of both McGowan's and the Railroad Company's experts.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Even then there might have been some doubt as to the outcome but for Holker Morris's testimony.
Morris's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even then there might have been some doubt as to the outcome but for Holker Morris's testimony.
mortar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He not only sent in his report, but appeared himself, he told the Council, so as to answer any questions Mr. McGowan or his friends might ask.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The check “struck” MacFarlane just as the chairman had said it would, wiping out his losses by the flood with something ahead for his next undertaking.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading That the verdict was a just one was apparent from the reports of both McGowan's and the Railroad Company's experts.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading That the verdict was a just one was apparent from the reports of both McGowan's and the Railroad Company's experts.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He not only sent in his report, but appeared himself, he told the Council, so as to answer any questions Mr. McGowan or his friends might ask.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He not only sent in his report, but appeared himself, he told the Council, so as to answer any questions Mr. McGowan or his friends might ask.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The check “struck” MacFarlane just as the chairman had said it would, wiping out his losses by the flood with something ahead for his next undertaking.
outcome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even then there might have been some doubt as to the outcome but for Holker Morris's testimony.
provisions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
questions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He not only sent in his report, but appeared himself, he told the Council, so as to answer any questions Mr. McGowan or his friends might ask.
Railroad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the verdict was a just one was apparent from the reports of both McGowan's and the Railroad Company's experts.
report
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He not only sent in his report, but appeared himself, he told the Council, so as to answer any questions Mr. McGowan or his friends might ask.
reports
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the verdict was a just one was apparent from the reports of both McGowan's and the Railroad Company's experts.
rubble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The check “struck” MacFarlane just as the chairman had said it would, wiping out his losses by the flood with something ahead for his next undertaking.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He not only sent in his report, but appeared himself, he told the Council, so as to answer any questions Mr. McGowan or his friends might ask.
showed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He not only sent in his report, but appeared himself, he told the Council, so as to answer any questions Mr. McGowan or his friends might ask.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even then there might have been some doubt as to the outcome but for Holker Morris's testimony.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The check “struck” MacFarlane just as the chairman had said it would, wiping out his losses by the flood with something ahead for his next undertaking.
spillways
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
split
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
stone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
strucknounUS /struck/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The check “struck” MacFarlane just as the chairman had said it would, wiping out his losses by the flood with something ahead for his next undertaking.
structure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
testimony
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even then there might have been some doubt as to the outcome but for Holker Morris's testimony.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That the verdict was a just one was apparent from the reports of both McGowan's and the Railroad Company's experts.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The check “struck” MacFarlane just as the chairman had said it would, wiping out his losses by the flood with something ahead for his next undertaking.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even then there might have been some doubt as to the outcome but for Holker Morris's testimony.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even then there might have been some doubt as to the outcome but for Holker Morris's testimony.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Even then there might have been some doubt as to the outcome but for Holker Morris's testimony.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He not only sent in his report, but appeared himself, he told the Council, so as to answer any questions Mr. McGowan or his friends might ask.
undertakingnounUS /ˌʌndərˈteɪkɪŋ/
a serious task, project, or venture that someone agrees to do
From this reading The check “struck” MacFarlane just as the chairman had said it would, wiping out his losses by the flood with something ahead for his next undertaking.
verdict
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the verdict was a just one was apparent from the reports of both McGowan's and the Railroad Company's experts.
violation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That the verdict was a just one was apparent from the reports of both McGowan's and the Railroad Company's experts.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading These showed that the McGowan mortar held but little cement, and that not of the best; that the backing of the masonry was composed of loose rubble instead of split stone, and that the collapse of his structure was not caused by the downpour, but by the caving in of culverts and spillways, which were built of materials in direct violation of the provisions of the contract.
wiping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The check “struck” MacFarlane just as the chairman had said it would, wiping out his losses by the flood with something ahead for his next undertaking.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The check “struck” MacFarlane just as the chairman had said it would, wiping out his losses by the flood with something ahead for his next undertaking.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The check “struck” MacFarlane just as the chairman had said it would, wiping out his losses by the flood with something ahead for his next undertaking.
