adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
ashesnounUS /ˈæʃ.ɪz/
The powdery residue left after the burning of a substance.
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
baconnounUS /ˈbeɪkən/
back and sides of a hog salted and dried or smoked; usually sliced thin and fried
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
bagnounUS /bæɡ/
a flexible container with a single opening
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
BothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading Both carried guns-the tall mountaineer, a Winchester; the boy, a squirrel rifle longer than himself.
boynounUS /bɔɪ/
a youthful male person
From this reading Both carried guns-the tall mountaineer, a Winchester; the boy, a squirrel rifle longer than himself.
bushesnounUS /ˈbʊʃəz/
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
ByprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By John Fox Jr.
carriedverbUS /ˈkærid/
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Both carried guns-the tall mountaineer, a Winchester; the boy, a squirrel rifle longer than himself.
cavenounUS /keɪv/
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
cavernnounUS /ˈkæv.ərn/
A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
childrennounUS /ˈtʃɪldrən/
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
coalsnounUS /koʊlz/
plural of “coal” — fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
darknessnounUS /ˈdɑːrknəs/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
dimadjectiveUS /dɪm/
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
feetnounUS /fiːt/
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
finishedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪnɪʃt/
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
FoxnounUS /fɑːks/
alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs
From this reading By John Fox Jr.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
girdingverbUS /ˈɡɜːrdɪŋ/
-ing form of “gird” — prepare oneself for a military confrontation
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
guns-the
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both carried guns-the tall mountaineer, a Winchester; the boy, a squirrel rifle longer than himself.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
hiding-place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Both carried guns-the tall mountaineer, a Winchester; the boy, a squirrel rifle longer than himself.
hungverbUS /hʌŋ/
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
hungernounUS /ˈhʌŋɡər/
a physiological need for food; the consequence of food deprivation
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
huntingnounUS /ˈhʌntɪŋ/
the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
JohnnounUS /dʒɑːn/
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading By John Fox Jr.
JrnounUS /ˈdʒuːnjər/
a son who has the same first name as his father
From this reading By John Fox Jr.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
longeradverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɡər/
for more time
From this reading Both carried guns-the tall mountaineer, a Winchester; the boy, a squirrel rifle longer than himself.
massiveadjectiveUS /ˈmæsɪv/
imposing in size or bulk or solidity
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
mealnounUS /miːl/
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
mountainnounUS /ˈmaʊntən/
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
mountaineernounUS /ˈmaʊntɪnɪr/
someone who climbs mountains
From this reading Both carried guns-the tall mountaineer, a Winchester; the boy, a squirrel rifle longer than himself.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
PartingnounUS /ˈpɑːrtɪŋ/
the act of departing politely
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
primitiveadjectiveUS /ˈprɪmətɪv/
belonging to an early stage of technical development; characterized by simplicity and (often) crudeness
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
rakedverbUS /reɪkt/
past form of “rake” — move through with or as if with a rake
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
rednounUS /red/
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
refugenounUS /ˈrefjuːdʒ/
a safe place
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
rhododendrons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
rifleverbUS /ˈraɪfəl/
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading Both carried guns-the tall mountaineer, a Winchester; the boy, a squirrel rifle longer than himself.
rivernounUS /ˈrɪvər/
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
rocknounUS /rɑːk/
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
shadowsnounUS /ˈʃædoʊz/
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
shoulderverbUS /ˈʃoʊldər/
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
slicenounUS /slaɪs/
a share of something
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
squirrelnounUS /ˈskwɜːrəl/
a kind of arboreal rodent having a long bushy tail
From this reading Both carried guns-the tall mountaineer, a Winchester; the boy, a squirrel rifle longer than himself.
steppedverbUS /stept/
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
talladjectiveUS /tɔːl/
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Both carried guns-the tall mountaineer, a Winchester; the boy, a squirrel rifle longer than himself.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Both carried guns-the tall mountaineer, a Winchester; the boy, a squirrel rifle longer than himself.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
thicketnounUS /ˈθɪkɪt/
a dense growth of bushes
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
wallnounUS /wɔːl/
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
WinchesternounUS /ˈwɪntʃestər/
a city in southern England; administrative center of Hampshire
From this reading Both carried guns-the tall mountaineer, a Winchester; the boy, a squirrel rifle longer than himself.
woodsnounUS /wʊdz/
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading THE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods.
