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 Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
abashed
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From this reading For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.
Accordingly
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From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
allowed
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From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
beckoning
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From this reading He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.
boat
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From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
bound
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From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
business
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From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
cap
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From this reading For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.
certain
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From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
clad
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From this reading He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.
coming
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From this reading He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.
cooperage
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From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.
custom
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From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
daily
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From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
day
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From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
definite
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From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
distinguished
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From this reading He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.
dock
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From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
down
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From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
duties
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From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
find
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From this reading For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.
gang-plank
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From this reading He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.
GENEVIEVE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
giving
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From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
handsomely
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From this reading He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
Hector
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
important
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN OLD ST.
infringe
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From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
instant
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From this reading For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
jerked
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From this reading For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.
lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.
land
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
landing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
late
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From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
line
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From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
Mississippi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
off
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From this reading For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.
OLD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN OLD ST.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
post
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
purpose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
saw
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From this reading He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.
smiling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.
snubbing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
special
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
speech
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From this reading For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.
ST
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From this reading IN OLD ST.
steamer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.
surprisednounUS /surprised/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
then
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From this reading For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
touched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
waited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
winter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.