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 Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
also
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
aside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
beckoned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
car
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
Cassidy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
cubic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
engaged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
exactly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the quantity fell short, there was usually trouble.
flat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
flinging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
gang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
glance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
gravel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
grimly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
handled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
HoweveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the quantity fell short, there was usually trouble.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
long-hafted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
pace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
particular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
quantity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the quantity fell short, there was usually trouble.
quickened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
satisfy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading If the quantity fell short, there was usually trouble.
shovel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
soil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
strode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the quantity fell short, there was usually trouble.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
tracknounUS /træk/
a route or signs showing the way someone went
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
trouble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the quantity fell short, there was usually trouble.
twinkle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
usually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the quantity fell short, there was usually trouble.
utmost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
Weston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
whimsical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
working
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
yards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.