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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 That was an old and a favorite mystery which the map did not clearly explain.
always
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From this reading Its destination, we knew, was the Missouri, and the Hassler boys always maintained that we could embark at Sandtown in flood-time, follow our noses, and eventually arrive at New Orleans.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading That was an old and a favorite mystery which the map did not clearly explain.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That was an old and a favorite mystery which the map did not clearly explain.
arrive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its destination, we knew, was the Missouri, and the Hassler boys always maintained that we could embark at Sandtown in flood-time, follow our noses, and eventually arrive at New Orleans.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Its destination, we knew, was the Missouri, and the Hassler boys always maintained that we could embark at Sandtown in flood-time, follow our noses, and eventually arrive at New Orleans.
begin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I wonder where this river really does begin?"
black
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From this reading On the map the little black line stopped somewhere in western Kansas; but since rivers generally rose in mountains, it was only reasonable to suppose that ours came from the Rockies.
boys
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From this reading Its destination, we knew, was the Missouri, and the Hassler boys always maintained that we could embark at Sandtown in flood-time, follow our noses, and eventually arrive at New Orleans.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading On the map the little black line stopped somewhere in western Kansas; but since rivers generally rose in mountains, it was only reasonable to suppose that ours came from the Rockies.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the map the little black line stopped somewhere in western Kansas; but since rivers generally rose in mountains, it was only reasonable to suppose that ours came from the Rockies.
clearly
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From this reading That was an old and a favorite mystery which the map did not clearly explain.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Its destination, we knew, was the Missouri, and the Hassler boys always maintained that we could embark at Sandtown in flood-time, follow our noses, and eventually arrive at New Orleans.
destination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its destination, we knew, was the Missouri, and the Hassler boys always maintained that we could embark at Sandtown in flood-time, follow our noses, and eventually arrive at New Orleans.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading That was an old and a favorite mystery which the map did not clearly explain.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I wonder where this river really does begin?"
embark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its destination, we knew, was the Missouri, and the Hassler boys always maintained that we could embark at Sandtown in flood-time, follow our noses, and eventually arrive at New Orleans.
eventually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its destination, we knew, was the Missouri, and the Hassler boys always maintained that we could embark at Sandtown in flood-time, follow our noses, and eventually arrive at New Orleans.
explain
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From this reading That was an old and a favorite mystery which the map did not clearly explain.
favorite
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From this reading That was an old and a favorite mystery which the map did not clearly explain.
flood-time
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its destination, we knew, was the Missouri, and the Hassler boys always maintained that we could embark at Sandtown in flood-time, follow our noses, and eventually arrive at New Orleans.
follow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its destination, we knew, was the Missouri, and the Hassler boys always maintained that we could embark at Sandtown in flood-time, follow our noses, and eventually arrive at New Orleans.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading On the map the little black line stopped somewhere in western Kansas; but since rivers generally rose in mountains, it was only reasonable to suppose that ours came from the Rockies.
generally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the map the little black line stopped somewhere in western Kansas; but since rivers generally rose in mountains, it was only reasonable to suppose that ours came from the Rockies.
Hassler
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From this reading Its destination, we knew, was the Missouri, and the Hassler boys always maintained that we could embark at Sandtown in flood-time, follow our noses, and eventually arrive at New Orleans.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I wonder where this river really does begin?"
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On the map the little black line stopped somewhere in western Kansas; but since rivers generally rose in mountains, it was only reasonable to suppose that ours came from the Rockies.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading On the map the little black line stopped somewhere in western Kansas; but since rivers generally rose in mountains, it was only reasonable to suppose that ours came from the Rockies.
ItsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its destination, we knew, was the Missouri, and the Hassler boys always maintained that we could embark at Sandtown in flood-time, follow our noses, and eventually arrive at New Orleans.
Kansas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the map the little black line stopped somewhere in western Kansas; but since rivers generally rose in mountains, it was only reasonable to suppose that ours came from the Rockies.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its destination, we knew, was the Missouri, and the Hassler boys always maintained that we could embark at Sandtown in flood-time, follow our noses, and eventually arrive at New Orleans.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the map the little black line stopped somewhere in western Kansas; but since rivers generally rose in mountains, it was only reasonable to suppose that ours came from the Rockies.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On the map the little black line stopped somewhere in western Kansas; but since rivers generally rose in mountains, it was only reasonable to suppose that ours came from the Rockies.
maintained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its destination, we knew, was the Missouri, and the Hassler boys always maintained that we could embark at Sandtown in flood-time, follow our noses, and eventually arrive at New Orleans.
map
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was an old and a favorite mystery which the map did not clearly explain.
Missouri
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its destination, we knew, was the Missouri, and the Hassler boys always maintained that we could embark at Sandtown in flood-time, follow our noses, and eventually arrive at New Orleans.
mountains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the map the little black line stopped somewhere in western Kansas; but since rivers generally rose in mountains, it was only reasonable to suppose that ours came from the Rockies.
mused
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From this reading Tip mused.
mystery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was an old and a favorite mystery which the map did not clearly explain.
New
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its destination, we knew, was the Missouri, and the Hassler boys always maintained that we could embark at Sandtown in flood-time, follow our noses, and eventually arrive at New Orleans.
noses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its destination, we knew, was the Missouri, and the Hassler boys always maintained that we could embark at Sandtown in flood-time, follow our noses, and eventually arrive at New Orleans.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading That was an old and a favorite mystery which the map did not clearly explain.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was an old and a favorite mystery which the map did not clearly explain.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the map the little black line stopped somewhere in western Kansas; but since rivers generally rose in mountains, it was only reasonable to suppose that ours came from the Rockies.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the map the little black line stopped somewhere in western Kansas; but since rivers generally rose in mountains, it was only reasonable to suppose that ours came from the Rockies.
Orleans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its destination, we knew, was the Missouri, and the Hassler boys always maintained that we could embark at Sandtown in flood-time, follow our noses, and eventually arrive at New Orleans.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Its destination, we knew, was the Missouri, and the Hassler boys always maintained that we could embark at Sandtown in flood-time, follow our noses, and eventually arrive at New Orleans.
ourspronounUS /ˈaʊərz/
the one or ones belonging to us
From this reading On the map the little black line stopped somewhere in western Kansas; but since rivers generally rose in mountains, it was only reasonable to suppose that ours came from the Rockies.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I wonder where this river really does begin?"
reasonable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the map the little black line stopped somewhere in western Kansas; but since rivers generally rose in mountains, it was only reasonable to suppose that ours came from the Rockies.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I wonder where this river really does begin?"
rivers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the map the little black line stopped somewhere in western Kansas; but since rivers generally rose in mountains, it was only reasonable to suppose that ours came from the Rockies.
Rockies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the map the little black line stopped somewhere in western Kansas; but since rivers generally rose in mountains, it was only reasonable to suppose that ours came from the Rockies.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the map the little black line stopped somewhere in western Kansas; but since rivers generally rose in mountains, it was only reasonable to suppose that ours came from the Rockies.
Sandtown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its destination, we knew, was the Missouri, and the Hassler boys always maintained that we could embark at Sandtown in flood-time, follow our noses, and eventually arrive at New Orleans.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading On the map the little black line stopped somewhere in western Kansas; but since rivers generally rose in mountains, it was only reasonable to suppose that ours came from the Rockies.
somewhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the map the little black line stopped somewhere in western Kansas; but since rivers generally rose in mountains, it was only reasonable to suppose that ours came from the Rockies.
stoppednounUS /stopped/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On the map the little black line stopped somewhere in western Kansas; but since rivers generally rose in mountains, it was only reasonable to suppose that ours came from the Rockies.
supposenounUS /ˈsuppose/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading On the map the little black line stopped somewhere in western Kansas; but since rivers generally rose in mountains, it was only reasonable to suppose that ours came from the Rockies.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That was an old and a favorite mystery which the map did not clearly explain.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading That was an old and a favorite mystery which the map did not clearly explain.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "I wonder where this river really does begin?"
Tip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tip mused.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On the map the little black line stopped somewhere in western Kansas; but since rivers generally rose in mountains, it was only reasonable to suppose that ours came from the Rockies.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That was an old and a favorite mystery which the map did not clearly explain.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Its destination, we knew, was the Missouri, and the Hassler boys always maintained that we could embark at Sandtown in flood-time, follow our noses, and eventually arrive at New Orleans.
western
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the map the little black line stopped somewhere in western Kansas; but since rivers generally rose in mountains, it was only reasonable to suppose that ours came from the Rockies.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading "I wonder where this river really does begin?"
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading That was an old and a favorite mystery which the map did not clearly explain.
wonder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I wonder where this river really does begin?"
