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 Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
act
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
ammunition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
Andy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It’ll be strange if we can’t hold our own against such a crowd as is on this island; but we sha’n’t make any headway by suckin’ our thumbs.”
armed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading To each one these thoughts came much as if they had been presented for consideration, and, after five minutes or more had been spent in mournful reflections, Jenkins said, with a feeble attempt at cheerfulness:
attempt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To each one these thoughts came much as if they had been presented for consideration, and, after five minutes or more had been spent in mournful reflections, Jenkins said, with a feeble attempt at cheerfulness:
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
blow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It’ll be strange if we can’t hold our own against such a crowd as is on this island; but we sha’n’t make any headway by suckin’ our thumbs.”
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To each one these thoughts came much as if they had been presented for consideration, and, after five minutes or more had been spent in mournful reflections, Jenkins said, with a feeble attempt at cheerfulness:
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It’ll be strange if we can’t hold our own against such a crowd as is on this island; but we sha’n’t make any headway by suckin’ our thumbs.”
cartridge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
cheerfulness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To each one these thoughts came much as if they had been presented for consideration, and, after five minutes or more had been spent in mournful reflections, Jenkins said, with a feeble attempt at cheerfulness:
consideration
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To each one these thoughts came much as if they had been presented for consideration, and, after five minutes or more had been spent in mournful reflections, Jenkins said, with a feeble attempt at cheerfulness:
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
creditable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
crowd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It’ll be strange if we can’t hold our own against such a crowd as is on this island; but we sha’n’t make any headway by suckin’ our thumbs.”
crowning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
dealt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
defensive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
disasters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading To each one these thoughts came much as if they had been presented for consideration, and, after five minutes or more had been spent in mournful reflections, Jenkins said, with a feeble attempt at cheerfulness:
fashion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
feeble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To each one these thoughts came much as if they had been presented for consideration, and, after five minutes or more had been spent in mournful reflections, Jenkins said, with a feeble attempt at cheerfulness:
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
fired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
five
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To each one these thoughts came much as if they had been presented for consideration, and, after five minutes or more had been spent in mournful reflections, Jenkins said, with a feeble attempt at cheerfulness:
foolish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It’s worse than foolish for us to sit here moonin’ over what we’ve got to meet like men.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
fortunenounUS /ˈfortune/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
forty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It’s worse than foolish for us to sit here moonin’ over what we’ve got to meet like men.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
hatchets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
headway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It’ll be strange if we can’t hold our own against such a crowd as is on this island; but we sha’n’t make any headway by suckin’ our thumbs.”
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “It’s worse than foolish for us to sit here moonin’ over what we’ve got to meet like men.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
island
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It’ll be strange if we can’t hold our own against such a crowd as is on this island; but we sha’n’t make any headway by suckin’ our thumbs.”
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
It'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It’ll be strange if we can’t hold our own against such a crowd as is on this island; but we sha’n’t make any headway by suckin’ our thumbs.”
It's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It’s worse than foolish for us to sit here moonin’ over what we’ve got to meet like men.
Jenkins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To each one these thoughts came much as if they had been presented for consideration, and, after five minutes or more had been spent in mournful reflections, Jenkins said, with a feeble attempt at cheerfulness:
knives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It’s worse than foolish for us to sit here moonin’ over what we’ve got to meet like men.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It’ll be strange if we can’t hold our own against such a crowd as is on this island; but we sha’n’t make any headway by suckin’ our thumbs.”
manner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
meet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It’s worse than foolish for us to sit here moonin’ over what we’ve got to meet like men.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It’s worse than foolish for us to sit here moonin’ over what we’ve got to meet like men.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To each one these thoughts came much as if they had been presented for consideration, and, after five minutes or more had been spent in mournful reflections, Jenkins said, with a feeble attempt at cheerfulness:
moonin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It’s worse than foolish for us to sit here moonin’ over what we’ve got to meet like men.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To each one these thoughts came much as if they had been presented for consideration, and, after five minutes or more had been spent in mournful reflections, Jenkins said, with a feeble attempt at cheerfulness:
mournful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To each one these thoughts came much as if they had been presented for consideration, and, after five minutes or more had been spent in mournful reflections, Jenkins said, with a feeble attempt at cheerfulness:
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To each one these thoughts came much as if they had been presented for consideration, and, after five minutes or more had been spent in mournful reflections, Jenkins said, with a feeble attempt at cheerfulness:
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
odds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading To each one these thoughts came much as if they had been presented for consideration, and, after five minutes or more had been spent in mournful reflections, Jenkins said, with a feeble attempt at cheerfulness:
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading It’ll be strange if we can’t hold our own against such a crowd as is on this island; but we sha’n’t make any headway by suckin’ our thumbs.”
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading “It’s worse than foolish for us to sit here moonin’ over what we’ve got to meet like men.
overwhelming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
presented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To each one these thoughts came much as if they had been presented for consideration, and, after five minutes or more had been spent in mournful reflections, Jenkins said, with a feeble attempt at cheerfulness:
reflections
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To each one these thoughts came much as if they had been presented for consideration, and, after five minutes or more had been spent in mournful reflections, Jenkins said, with a feeble attempt at cheerfulness:
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To each one these thoughts came much as if they had been presented for consideration, and, after five minutes or more had been spent in mournful reflections, Jenkins said, with a feeble attempt at cheerfulness:
series
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
sha'n't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It’ll be strange if we can’t hold our own against such a crowd as is on this island; but we sha’n’t make any headway by suckin’ our thumbs.”
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
sit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It’s worse than foolish for us to sit here moonin’ over what we’ve got to meet like men.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
spent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To each one these thoughts came much as if they had been presented for consideration, and, after five minutes or more had been spent in mournful reflections, Jenkins said, with a feeble attempt at cheerfulness:
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It’ll be strange if we can’t hold our own against such a crowd as is on this island; but we sha’n’t make any headway by suckin’ our thumbs.”
struggle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
suckin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It’ll be strange if we can’t hold our own against such a crowd as is on this island; but we sha’n’t make any headway by suckin’ our thumbs.”
supply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading “It’s worse than foolish for us to sit here moonin’ over what we’ve got to meet like men.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading To each one these thoughts came much as if they had been presented for consideration, and, after five minutes or more had been spent in mournful reflections, Jenkins said, with a feeble attempt at cheerfulness:
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It’ll be strange if we can’t hold our own against such a crowd as is on this island; but we sha’n’t make any headway by suckin’ our thumbs.”
thoughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To each one these thoughts came much as if they had been presented for consideration, and, after five minutes or more had been spent in mournful reflections, Jenkins said, with a feeble attempt at cheerfulness:
thumbs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It’ll be strange if we can’t hold our own against such a crowd as is on this island; but we sha’n’t make any headway by suckin’ our thumbs.”
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
unkind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “It’s worse than foolish for us to sit here moonin’ over what we’ve got to meet like men.
useless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It’ll be strange if we can’t hold our own against such a crowd as is on this island; but we sha’n’t make any headway by suckin’ our thumbs.”
we've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It’s worse than foolish for us to sit here moonin’ over what we’ve got to meet like men.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “It’s worse than foolish for us to sit here moonin’ over what we’ve got to meet like men.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
woefully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
worse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It’s worse than foolish for us to sit here moonin’ over what we’ve got to meet like men.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
