AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A CAT HUNT ON THE FRIO The return of Miss Jean the next forenoon, accompanied by Frances Vaux, was an occasion of more than ordinary moment at Las Palomas.
accompaniedadjectiveUS /əˈkʌmpənid/
having companions or an escort
From this reading A CAT HUNT ON THE FRIO The return of Miss Jean the next forenoon, accompanied by Frances Vaux, was an occasion of more than ordinary moment at Las Palomas.
addingverbUS /ˈædɪŋ/
-ing form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading Small wonder then that our guest should have played havoc among the young men of the countryside, adding to her train of gallants the devoted Quayle and Cotton of Las Palomas.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Small wonder then that our guest should have played havoc among the young men of the countryside, adding to her train of gallants the devoted Quayle and Cotton of Las Palomas.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A CAT HUNT ON THE FRIO The return of Miss Jean the next forenoon, accompanied by Frances Vaux, was an occasion of more than ordinary moment at Las Palomas.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To a close observer, certain traces of the French were distinctly discernible in Miss Frances, notably in the large, lustrous eyes, the swarthy complexion, and early maturity of womanhood.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A CAT HUNT ON THE FRIO The return of Miss Jean the next forenoon, accompanied by Frances Vaux, was an occasion of more than ordinary moment at Las Palomas.
beautynounUS /ˈbjuːti/
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading Under the climatic change, from the swamps of Louisiana to the mesas of Texas, the girls grew up fine physical specimens of rustic Southern beauty.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The Vaux family were of creole extraction, but had settled on the Frio River nearly a generation before.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Vaux family were of creole extraction, but had settled on the Frio River nearly a generation before.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A CAT HUNT ON THE FRIO The return of Miss Jean the next forenoon, accompanied by Frances Vaux, was an occasion of more than ordinary moment at Las Palomas.
CATnounUS /kæt/
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading A CAT HUNT ON THE FRIO The return of Miss Jean the next forenoon, accompanied by Frances Vaux, was an occasion of more than ordinary moment at Las Palomas.
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading To a close observer, certain traces of the French were distinctly discernible in Miss Frances, notably in the large, lustrous eyes, the swarthy complexion, and early maturity of womanhood.
changeverbUS /tʃeɪndʒ/
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Under the climatic change, from the swamps of Louisiana to the mesas of Texas, the girls grew up fine physical specimens of rustic Southern beauty.
climaticadjectiveUS /klaɪˈmætɪk/
of or relating to a climate
From this reading Under the climatic change, from the swamps of Louisiana to the mesas of Texas, the girls grew up fine physical specimens of rustic Southern beauty.
closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading To a close observer, certain traces of the French were distinctly discernible in Miss Frances, notably in the large, lustrous eyes, the swarthy complexion, and early maturity of womanhood.
complexionnounUS /kəmˈplekʃən/
the coloring of a person's face
From this reading To a close observer, certain traces of the French were distinctly discernible in Miss Frances, notably in the large, lustrous eyes, the swarthy complexion, and early maturity of womanhood.
CottonnounUS /ˈkɑːtən/
soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state
From this reading Small wonder then that our guest should have played havoc among the young men of the countryside, adding to her train of gallants the devoted Quayle and Cotton of Las Palomas.
countrysidenounUS /ˈkʌntrisaɪd/
rural regions
From this reading Small wonder then that our guest should have played havoc among the young men of the countryside, adding to her train of gallants the devoted Quayle and Cotton of Las Palomas.
creolenounUS /ˈkriːoʊl/
a person of European descent born in the West Indies or Latin America
From this reading The Vaux family were of creole extraction, but had settled on the Frio River nearly a generation before.
devotedadjectiveUS /dɪˈvoʊtɪd/
zealous in devotion or affection
From this reading Small wonder then that our guest should have played havoc among the young men of the countryside, adding to her train of gallants the devoted Quayle and Cotton of Las Palomas.
discernibleadjectiveUS /dɪˈsɜːrnəbəl/
perceptible by the senses or intellect
From this reading To a close observer, certain traces of the French were distinctly discernible in Miss Frances, notably in the large, lustrous eyes, the swarthy complexion, and early maturity of womanhood.
distinctlyadverbUS /dɪˈstɪŋktli/
clear to the mind; with distinct mental discernment
From this reading To a close observer, certain traces of the French were distinctly discernible in Miss Frances, notably in the large, lustrous eyes, the swarthy complexion, and early maturity of womanhood.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading To a close observer, certain traces of the French were distinctly discernible in Miss Frances, notably in the large, lustrous eyes, the swarthy complexion, and early maturity of womanhood.
extractionnounUS /ekˈstrækʃən/
the process of obtaining something from a mixture or compound by chemical or physical or mechanical means
From this reading The Vaux family were of creole extraction, but had settled on the Frio River nearly a generation before.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading To a close observer, certain traces of the French were distinctly discernible in Miss Frances, notably in the large, lustrous eyes, the swarthy complexion, and early maturity of womanhood.
familynounUS /ˈfæməli/
a social unit living together
From this reading The Vaux family were of creole extraction, but had settled on the Frio River nearly a generation before.
fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Under the climatic change, from the swamps of Louisiana to the mesas of Texas, the girls grew up fine physical specimens of rustic Southern beauty.
forenoonnoun
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading A CAT HUNT ON THE FRIO The return of Miss Jean the next forenoon, accompanied by Frances Vaux, was an occasion of more than ordinary moment at Las Palomas.
FrancesnounUS /ˈfrænsɪs/
plural of “france” — a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading A CAT HUNT ON THE FRIO The return of Miss Jean the next forenoon, accompanied by Frances Vaux, was an occasion of more than ordinary moment at Las Palomas.
FrenchnounUS /frentʃ/
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading To a close observer, certain traces of the French were distinctly discernible in Miss Frances, notably in the large, lustrous eyes, the swarthy complexion, and early maturity of womanhood.
FRIO
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CAT HUNT ON THE FRIO The return of Miss Jean the next forenoon, accompanied by Frances Vaux, was an occasion of more than ordinary moment at Las Palomas.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Under the climatic change, from the swamps of Louisiana to the mesas of Texas, the girls grew up fine physical specimens of rustic Southern beauty.
gallants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Small wonder then that our guest should have played havoc among the young men of the countryside, adding to her train of gallants the devoted Quayle and Cotton of Las Palomas.
generationnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃən/
all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading The Vaux family were of creole extraction, but had settled on the Frio River nearly a generation before.
girlsnounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Under the climatic change, from the swamps of Louisiana to the mesas of Texas, the girls grew up fine physical specimens of rustic Southern beauty.
grewverbUS /ɡruː/
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Under the climatic change, from the swamps of Louisiana to the mesas of Texas, the girls grew up fine physical specimens of rustic Southern beauty.
guestnounUS /ɡest/
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Small wonder then that our guest should have played havoc among the young men of the countryside, adding to her train of gallants the devoted Quayle and Cotton of Las Palomas.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Vaux family were of creole extraction, but had settled on the Frio River nearly a generation before.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Small wonder then that our guest should have played havoc among the young men of the countryside, adding to her train of gallants the devoted Quayle and Cotton of Las Palomas.
havocnounUS /ˈhævək/
violent and needless disturbance
From this reading Small wonder then that our guest should have played havoc among the young men of the countryside, adding to her train of gallants the devoted Quayle and Cotton of Las Palomas.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Small wonder then that our guest should have played havoc among the young men of the countryside, adding to her train of gallants the devoted Quayle and Cotton of Las Palomas.
HUNTverbUS /hʌnt/
pursue for food or sport (as of wild animals)
From this reading A CAT HUNT ON THE FRIO The return of Miss Jean the next forenoon, accompanied by Frances Vaux, was an occasion of more than ordinary moment at Las Palomas.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To a close observer, certain traces of the French were distinctly discernible in Miss Frances, notably in the large, lustrous eyes, the swarthy complexion, and early maturity of womanhood.
JeannounUS /dʒiːn/
a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric
From this reading A CAT HUNT ON THE FRIO The return of Miss Jean the next forenoon, accompanied by Frances Vaux, was an occasion of more than ordinary moment at Las Palomas.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading To a close observer, certain traces of the French were distinctly discernible in Miss Frances, notably in the large, lustrous eyes, the swarthy complexion, and early maturity of womanhood.
LasnounUS /lɑːs/
plural of “la” — a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
From this reading A CAT HUNT ON THE FRIO The return of Miss Jean the next forenoon, accompanied by Frances Vaux, was an occasion of more than ordinary moment at Las Palomas.
LouisiananounUS /luːˌiːziˈænə/
a state in southern United States on the Gulf of Mexico; one of the Confederate states during the American Civil War
From this reading Under the climatic change, from the swamps of Louisiana to the mesas of Texas, the girls grew up fine physical specimens of rustic Southern beauty.
lustrousadjectiveUS /ˈlʌstrəs/
made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow
From this reading To a close observer, certain traces of the French were distinctly discernible in Miss Frances, notably in the large, lustrous eyes, the swarthy complexion, and early maturity of womanhood.
maturitynounUS /məˈtʃʊrəti/
the period of time in your life after your physical growth has stopped and you are fully developed
From this reading To a close observer, certain traces of the French were distinctly discernible in Miss Frances, notably in the large, lustrous eyes, the swarthy complexion, and early maturity of womanhood.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading Small wonder then that our guest should have played havoc among the young men of the countryside, adding to her train of gallants the devoted Quayle and Cotton of Las Palomas.
mesas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the climatic change, from the swamps of Louisiana to the mesas of Texas, the girls grew up fine physical specimens of rustic Southern beauty.
MissverbUS /mɪs/
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading A CAT HUNT ON THE FRIO The return of Miss Jean the next forenoon, accompanied by Frances Vaux, was an occasion of more than ordinary moment at Las Palomas.
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading A CAT HUNT ON THE FRIO The return of Miss Jean the next forenoon, accompanied by Frances Vaux, was an occasion of more than ordinary moment at Las Palomas.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A CAT HUNT ON THE FRIO The return of Miss Jean the next forenoon, accompanied by Frances Vaux, was an occasion of more than ordinary moment at Las Palomas.
nearlyadverbUS /ˈnɪrli/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The Vaux family were of creole extraction, but had settled on the Frio River nearly a generation before.
nextadjectiveUS /nekst/
immediately following in time or order
From this reading A CAT HUNT ON THE FRIO The return of Miss Jean the next forenoon, accompanied by Frances Vaux, was an occasion of more than ordinary moment at Las Palomas.
notablyadverbUS /ˈnoʊtəbli/
especially; in particular
From this reading To a close observer, certain traces of the French were distinctly discernible in Miss Frances, notably in the large, lustrous eyes, the swarthy complexion, and early maturity of womanhood.
observernounUS /əbˈzɜːrvər/
a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
From this reading To a close observer, certain traces of the French were distinctly discernible in Miss Frances, notably in the large, lustrous eyes, the swarthy complexion, and early maturity of womanhood.
occasionnounUS /əˈkeɪʒən/
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading A CAT HUNT ON THE FRIO The return of Miss Jean the next forenoon, accompanied by Frances Vaux, was an occasion of more than ordinary moment at Las Palomas.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A CAT HUNT ON THE FRIO The return of Miss Jean the next forenoon, accompanied by Frances Vaux, was an occasion of more than ordinary moment at Las Palomas.
ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A CAT HUNT ON THE FRIO The return of Miss Jean the next forenoon, accompanied by Frances Vaux, was an occasion of more than ordinary moment at Las Palomas.
ordinarynounUS /ˈɔːrdəneri/
a judge of a probate court
From this reading A CAT HUNT ON THE FRIO The return of Miss Jean the next forenoon, accompanied by Frances Vaux, was an occasion of more than ordinary moment at Las Palomas.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Small wonder then that our guest should have played havoc among the young men of the countryside, adding to her train of gallants the devoted Quayle and Cotton of Las Palomas.
Palomas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CAT HUNT ON THE FRIO The return of Miss Jean the next forenoon, accompanied by Frances Vaux, was an occasion of more than ordinary moment at Las Palomas.
physicaladjectiveUS /ˈfɪzɪkəl/
involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit
From this reading Under the climatic change, from the swamps of Louisiana to the mesas of Texas, the girls grew up fine physical specimens of rustic Southern beauty.
playedadjectiveUS /pleɪd/
(of games) engaged in
From this reading Small wonder then that our guest should have played havoc among the young men of the countryside, adding to her train of gallants the devoted Quayle and Cotton of Las Palomas.
Quayle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Small wonder then that our guest should have played havoc among the young men of the countryside, adding to her train of gallants the devoted Quayle and Cotton of Las Palomas.
returnverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrn/
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading A CAT HUNT ON THE FRIO The return of Miss Jean the next forenoon, accompanied by Frances Vaux, was an occasion of more than ordinary moment at Las Palomas.
RivernounUS /ˈrɪvər/
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The Vaux family were of creole extraction, but had settled on the Frio River nearly a generation before.
rusticadjectiveUS /ˈrʌstɪk/
characteristic of rural life
From this reading Under the climatic change, from the swamps of Louisiana to the mesas of Texas, the girls grew up fine physical specimens of rustic Southern beauty.
settledadjectiveUS /ˈsetəld/
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading The Vaux family were of creole extraction, but had settled on the Frio River nearly a generation before.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Small wonder then that our guest should have played havoc among the young men of the countryside, adding to her train of gallants the devoted Quayle and Cotton of Las Palomas.
SmalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Small wonder then that our guest should have played havoc among the young men of the countryside, adding to her train of gallants the devoted Quayle and Cotton of Las Palomas.
SouthernadjectiveUS /ˈsʌðərn/
in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Under the climatic change, from the swamps of Louisiana to the mesas of Texas, the girls grew up fine physical specimens of rustic Southern beauty.
specimensnounUS /ˈspesəmənz/
plural of “specimen” — an example regarded as typical of its class
From this reading Under the climatic change, from the swamps of Louisiana to the mesas of Texas, the girls grew up fine physical specimens of rustic Southern beauty.
swampsnounUS /swɑːmps/
plural of “swamp” — low land that is seasonally flooded; has more woody plants than a marsh and better drainage than a bog
From this reading Under the climatic change, from the swamps of Louisiana to the mesas of Texas, the girls grew up fine physical specimens of rustic Southern beauty.
swarthyadjectiveUS /ˈswɔːrði/
naturally having skin of a dark color
From this reading To a close observer, certain traces of the French were distinctly discernible in Miss Frances, notably in the large, lustrous eyes, the swarthy complexion, and early maturity of womanhood.
TexasnounUS /ˈteksəs/
the second largest state; located in southwestern United States on the Gulf of Mexico
From this reading Under the climatic change, from the swamps of Louisiana to the mesas of Texas, the girls grew up fine physical specimens of rustic Southern beauty.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A CAT HUNT ON THE FRIO The return of Miss Jean the next forenoon, accompanied by Frances Vaux, was an occasion of more than ordinary moment at Las Palomas.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Small wonder then that our guest should have played havoc among the young men of the countryside, adding to her train of gallants the devoted Quayle and Cotton of Las Palomas.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A CAT HUNT ON THE FRIO The return of Miss Jean the next forenoon, accompanied by Frances Vaux, was an occasion of more than ordinary moment at Las Palomas.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Small wonder then that our guest should have played havoc among the young men of the countryside, adding to her train of gallants the devoted Quayle and Cotton of Las Palomas.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Under the climatic change, from the swamps of Louisiana to the mesas of Texas, the girls grew up fine physical specimens of rustic Southern beauty.
tracesnounUS /ˈtreɪsəz/
plural of “trace” — a just detectable amount
From this reading To a close observer, certain traces of the French were distinctly discernible in Miss Frances, notably in the large, lustrous eyes, the swarthy complexion, and early maturity of womanhood.
trainverbUS /treɪn/
create by training and teaching
From this reading Small wonder then that our guest should have played havoc among the young men of the countryside, adding to her train of gallants the devoted Quayle and Cotton of Las Palomas.
UnderprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Under the climatic change, from the swamps of Louisiana to the mesas of Texas, the girls grew up fine physical specimens of rustic Southern beauty.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Under the climatic change, from the swamps of Louisiana to the mesas of Texas, the girls grew up fine physical specimens of rustic Southern beauty.
VauxnounUS /vɔːks/
United States landscape architect (born in England) who designed Central Park (1824-1895)
From this reading A CAT HUNT ON THE FRIO The return of Miss Jean the next forenoon, accompanied by Frances Vaux, was an occasion of more than ordinary moment at Las Palomas.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A CAT HUNT ON THE FRIO The return of Miss Jean the next forenoon, accompanied by Frances Vaux, was an occasion of more than ordinary moment at Las Palomas.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Vaux family were of creole extraction, but had settled on the Frio River nearly a generation before.
womanhoodnounUS /ˈwʊmənhʊd/
the state of being an adult woman
From this reading To a close observer, certain traces of the French were distinctly discernible in Miss Frances, notably in the large, lustrous eyes, the swarthy complexion, and early maturity of womanhood.
wondernounUS /ˈwʌndər/
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading Small wonder then that our guest should have played havoc among the young men of the countryside, adding to her train of gallants the devoted Quayle and Cotton of Las Palomas.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Small wonder then that our guest should have played havoc among the young men of the countryside, adding to her train of gallants the devoted Quayle and Cotton of Las Palomas.
