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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE DRUMS WHEN, on the afternoon of a later day, Marcia Haddon and her ancient chaperone re-entered the long and straggling street at the forks of the river, they noted certain signs of excitement.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading THE DRUMS WHEN, on the afternoon of a later day, Marcia Haddon and her ancient chaperone re-entered the long and straggling street at the forks of the river, they noted certain signs of excitement.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon a staff, upheld by the hand of one of a little group of four men in uniform, was something which focussed the eyes of all.
ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading THE DRUMS WHEN, on the afternoon of a later day, Marcia Haddon and her ancient chaperone re-entered the long and straggling street at the forks of the river, they noted certain signs of excitement.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE DRUMS WHEN, on the afternoon of a later day, Marcia Haddon and her ancient chaperone re-entered the long and straggling street at the forks of the river, they noted certain signs of excitement.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE DRUMS WHEN, on the afternoon of a later day, Marcia Haddon and her ancient chaperone re-entered the long and straggling street at the forks of the river, they noted certain signs of excitement.
big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A group of men was standing; others were hurrying to the open space in front of the big store.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Upon a staff, upheld by the hand of one of a little group of four men in uniform, was something which focussed the eyes of all.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A striking sound came to their ears—a sound not known in the Cumberlands for a generation—the throbbing of a drum, the shrilling of a fife.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DRUMS WHEN, on the afternoon of a later day, Marcia Haddon and her ancient chaperone re-entered the long and straggling street at the forks of the river, they noted certain signs of excitement.
chaperone
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From this reading THE DRUMS WHEN, on the afternoon of a later day, Marcia Haddon and her ancient chaperone re-entered the long and straggling street at the forks of the river, they noted certain signs of excitement.
Cumberlands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A striking sound came to their ears—a sound not known in the Cumberlands for a generation—the throbbing of a drum, the shrilling of a fife.
day
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From this reading THE DRUMS WHEN, on the afternoon of a later day, Marcia Haddon and her ancient chaperone re-entered the long and straggling street at the forks of the river, they noted certain signs of excitement.
drum
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A striking sound came to their ears—a sound not known in the Cumberlands for a generation—the throbbing of a drum, the shrilling of a fife.
DRUMS
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From this reading THE DRUMS WHEN, on the afternoon of a later day, Marcia Haddon and her ancient chaperone re-entered the long and straggling street at the forks of the river, they noted certain signs of excitement.
ears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A striking sound came to their ears—a sound not known in the Cumberlands for a generation—the throbbing of a drum, the shrilling of a fife.
excitement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DRUMS WHEN, on the afternoon of a later day, Marcia Haddon and her ancient chaperone re-entered the long and straggling street at the forks of the river, they noted certain signs of excitement.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon a staff, upheld by the hand of one of a little group of four men in uniform, was something which focussed the eyes of all.
fife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A striking sound came to their ears—a sound not known in the Cumberlands for a generation—the throbbing of a drum, the shrilling of a fife.
Flag
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the Flag—the Flag for which the Cumberlands once had fought.
focussed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon a staff, upheld by the hand of one of a little group of four men in uniform, was something which focussed the eyes of all.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A striking sound came to their ears—a sound not known in the Cumberlands for a generation—the throbbing of a drum, the shrilling of a fife.
forks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DRUMS WHEN, on the afternoon of a later day, Marcia Haddon and her ancient chaperone re-entered the long and straggling street at the forks of the river, they noted certain signs of excitement.
fought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the Flag—the Flag for which the Cumberlands once had fought.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon a staff, upheld by the hand of one of a little group of four men in uniform, was something which focussed the eyes of all.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A group of men was standing; others were hurrying to the open space in front of the big store.
generation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A striking sound came to their ears—a sound not known in the Cumberlands for a generation—the throbbing of a drum, the shrilling of a fife.
group
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A group of men was standing; others were hurrying to the open space in front of the big store.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was the Flag—the Flag for which the Cumberlands once had fought.
Haddon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DRUMS WHEN, on the afternoon of a later day, Marcia Haddon and her ancient chaperone re-entered the long and straggling street at the forks of the river, they noted certain signs of excitement.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon a staff, upheld by the hand of one of a little group of four men in uniform, was something which focussed the eyes of all.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE DRUMS WHEN, on the afternoon of a later day, Marcia Haddon and her ancient chaperone re-entered the long and straggling street at the forks of the river, they noted certain signs of excitement.
hurrying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A group of men was standing; others were hurrying to the open space in front of the big store.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A group of men was standing; others were hurrying to the open space in front of the big store.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the Flag—the Flag for which the Cumberlands once had fought.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A striking sound came to their ears—a sound not known in the Cumberlands for a generation—the throbbing of a drum, the shrilling of a fife.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DRUMS WHEN, on the afternoon of a later day, Marcia Haddon and her ancient chaperone re-entered the long and straggling street at the forks of the river, they noted certain signs of excitement.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Upon a staff, upheld by the hand of one of a little group of four men in uniform, was something which focussed the eyes of all.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE DRUMS WHEN, on the afternoon of a later day, Marcia Haddon and her ancient chaperone re-entered the long and straggling street at the forks of the river, they noted certain signs of excitement.
Marcia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DRUMS WHEN, on the afternoon of a later day, Marcia Haddon and her ancient chaperone re-entered the long and straggling street at the forks of the river, they noted certain signs of excitement.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A group of men was standing; others were hurrying to the open space in front of the big store.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A striking sound came to their ears—a sound not known in the Cumberlands for a generation—the throbbing of a drum, the shrilling of a fife.
noted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DRUMS WHEN, on the afternoon of a later day, Marcia Haddon and her ancient chaperone re-entered the long and straggling street at the forks of the river, they noted certain signs of excitement.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE DRUMS WHEN, on the afternoon of a later day, Marcia Haddon and her ancient chaperone re-entered the long and straggling street at the forks of the river, they noted certain signs of excitement.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE DRUMS WHEN, on the afternoon of a later day, Marcia Haddon and her ancient chaperone re-entered the long and straggling street at the forks of the river, they noted certain signs of excitement.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the Flag—the Flag for which the Cumberlands once had fought.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Upon a staff, upheld by the hand of one of a little group of four men in uniform, was something which focussed the eyes of all.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading A group of men was standing; others were hurrying to the open space in front of the big store.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A group of men was standing; others were hurrying to the open space in front of the big store.
re-entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DRUMS WHEN, on the afternoon of a later day, Marcia Haddon and her ancient chaperone re-entered the long and straggling street at the forks of the river, they noted certain signs of excitement.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DRUMS WHEN, on the afternoon of a later day, Marcia Haddon and her ancient chaperone re-entered the long and straggling street at the forks of the river, they noted certain signs of excitement.
shrilling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A striking sound came to their ears—a sound not known in the Cumberlands for a generation—the throbbing of a drum, the shrilling of a fife.
signs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DRUMS WHEN, on the afternoon of a later day, Marcia Haddon and her ancient chaperone re-entered the long and straggling street at the forks of the river, they noted certain signs of excitement.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Upon a staff, upheld by the hand of one of a little group of four men in uniform, was something which focussed the eyes of all.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A striking sound came to their ears—a sound not known in the Cumberlands for a generation—the throbbing of a drum, the shrilling of a fife.
space
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A group of men was standing; others were hurrying to the open space in front of the big store.
staff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon a staff, upheld by the hand of one of a little group of four men in uniform, was something which focussed the eyes of all.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A group of men was standing; others were hurrying to the open space in front of the big store.
store
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A group of men was standing; others were hurrying to the open space in front of the big store.
straggling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DRUMS WHEN, on the afternoon of a later day, Marcia Haddon and her ancient chaperone re-entered the long and straggling street at the forks of the river, they noted certain signs of excitement.
street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DRUMS WHEN, on the afternoon of a later day, Marcia Haddon and her ancient chaperone re-entered the long and straggling street at the forks of the river, they noted certain signs of excitement.
striking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A striking sound came to their ears—a sound not known in the Cumberlands for a generation—the throbbing of a drum, the shrilling of a fife.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DRUMS WHEN, on the afternoon of a later day, Marcia Haddon and her ancient chaperone re-entered the long and straggling street at the forks of the river, they noted certain signs of excitement.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A striking sound came to their ears—a sound not known in the Cumberlands for a generation—the throbbing of a drum, the shrilling of a fife.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE DRUMS WHEN, on the afternoon of a later day, Marcia Haddon and her ancient chaperone re-entered the long and straggling street at the forks of the river, they noted certain signs of excitement.
throbbing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A striking sound came to their ears—a sound not known in the Cumberlands for a generation—the throbbing of a drum, the shrilling of a fife.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A group of men was standing; others were hurrying to the open space in front of the big store.
uniform
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon a staff, upheld by the hand of one of a little group of four men in uniform, was something which focussed the eyes of all.
upheld
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon a staff, upheld by the hand of one of a little group of four men in uniform, was something which focussed the eyes of all.
UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Upon a staff, upheld by the hand of one of a little group of four men in uniform, was something which focussed the eyes of all.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A group of men was standing; others were hurrying to the open space in front of the big store.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A group of men was standing; others were hurrying to the open space in front of the big store.
WHENconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading THE DRUMS WHEN, on the afternoon of a later day, Marcia Haddon and her ancient chaperone re-entered the long and straggling street at the forks of the river, they noted certain signs of excitement.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Upon a staff, upheld by the hand of one of a little group of four men in uniform, was something which focussed the eyes of all.
