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 "What is it?" asked a voice insistently.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Echo-like, startling in its suddenness, an inverted V opened in the white wall and in it, fully dressed, vigilant, appeared the figure of its owner.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
appeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Echo-like, startling in its suddenness, an inverted V opened in the white wall and in it, fully dressed, vigilant, appeared the figure of its owner.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "What is it?" asked a voice insistently.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "You're wanted at the ranch house."
B
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
butt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Wake up," he called laconically.
canvas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
darkness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
dressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Echo-like, startling in its suddenness, an inverted V opened in the white wall and in it, fully dressed, vigilant, appeared the figure of its owner.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
Echo-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Echo-like, startling in its suddenness, an inverted V opened in the white wall and in it, fully dressed, vigilant, appeared the figure of its owner.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
figure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Echo-like, startling in its suddenness, an inverted V opened in the white wall and in it, fully dressed, vigilant, appeared the figure of its owner.
foreman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
fully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Echo-like, startling in its suddenness, an inverted V opened in the white wall and in it, fully dressed, vigilant, appeared the figure of its owner.
gaunt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
grip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Wake up," he called laconically.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You're wanted at the ranch house."
Howard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
insistently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What is it?" asked a voice insistently.
inverted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Echo-like, startling in its suddenness, an inverted V opened in the white wall and in it, fully dressed, vigilant, appeared the figure of its owner.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "What is it?" asked a voice insistently.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Echo-like, startling in its suddenness, an inverted V opened in the white wall and in it, fully dressed, vigilant, appeared the figure of its owner.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
KNOWLEDGE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
laconically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Wake up," he called laconically.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Echo-like, startling in its suddenness, an inverted V opened in the white wall and in it, fully dressed, vigilant, appeared the figure of its owner.
owner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Echo-like, startling in its suddenness, an inverted V opened in the white wall and in it, fully dressed, vigilant, appeared the figure of its owner.
prairie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
precedes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
quirt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
ranch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
rein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
startling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Echo-like, startling in its suddenness, an inverted V opened in the white wall and in it, fully dressed, vigilant, appeared the figure of its owner.
suddenness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Echo-like, startling in its suddenness, an inverted V opened in the white wall and in it, fully dressed, vigilant, appeared the figure of its owner.
tapped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
tent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
TREE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Wake up," he called laconically.
V
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Echo-like, startling in its suddenness, an inverted V opened in the white wall and in it, fully dressed, vigilant, appeared the figure of its owner.
vigilant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Echo-like, startling in its suddenness, an inverted V opened in the white wall and in it, fully dressed, vigilant, appeared the figure of its owner.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What is it?" asked a voice insistently.
Wake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Wake up," he called laconically.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Echo-like, startling in its suddenness, an inverted V opened in the white wall and in it, fully dressed, vigilant, appeared the figure of its owner.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You're wanted at the ranch house."
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What is it?" asked a voice insistently.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Echo-like, startling in its suddenness, an inverted V opened in the white wall and in it, fully dressed, vigilant, appeared the figure of its owner.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE The darkness that precedes morning had the prairie country in its grip when Howard, the gaunt foreman of the B.B. ranch, drew rein before the silent tent, and with the butt end of his quirt tapped on the heavy canvas.
You're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You're wanted at the ranch house."
