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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 Joe had never before met a black bear in the open air, but he had seen several in menageries and studied them at a safe distance, and he realized that he was in a perilous position.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After him came the bear, and it was astonishing what good time the beast could make considering his size and his general appearance of clumsiness.
afterward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bear looked both untamed and fierce and as if nothing would suit him better than to hug the lad to death and eat him up afterward.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe had never before met a black bear in the open air, but he had seen several in menageries and studied them at a safe distance, and he realized that he was in a perilous position.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Joe had never before met a black bear in the open air, but he had seen several in menageries and studied them at a safe distance, and he realized that he was in a perilous position.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading After him came the bear, and it was astonishing what good time the beast could make considering his size and his general appearance of clumsiness.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The bear looked both untamed and fierce and as if nothing would suit him better than to hug the lad to death and eat him up afterward.
astonishing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After him came the bear, and it was astonishing what good time the beast could make considering his size and his general appearance of clumsiness.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Joe had never before met a black bear in the open air, but he had seen several in menageries and studied them at a safe distance, and he realized that he was in a perilous position.
BEAR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BIG BLACK BEAR.
beast
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From this reading After him came the bear, and it was astonishing what good time the beast could make considering his size and his general appearance of clumsiness.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Joe had never before met a black bear in the open air, but he had seen several in menageries and studied them at a safe distance, and he realized that he was in a perilous position.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bear looked both untamed and fierce and as if nothing would suit him better than to hug the lad to death and eat him up afterward.
BIG
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From this reading THE BIG BLACK BEAR.
BLACK
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From this reading THE BIG BLACK BEAR.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading The bear looked both untamed and fierce and as if nothing would suit him better than to hug the lad to death and eat him up afterward.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Joe had never before met a black bear in the open air, but he had seen several in menageries and studied them at a safe distance, and he realized that he was in a perilous position.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After him came the bear, and it was astonishing what good time the beast could make considering his size and his general appearance of clumsiness.
clumsiness
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From this reading After him came the bear, and it was astonishing what good time the beast could make considering his size and his general appearance of clumsiness.
considering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After him came the bear, and it was astonishing what good time the beast could make considering his size and his general appearance of clumsiness.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading After him came the bear, and it was astonishing what good time the beast could make considering his size and his general appearance of clumsiness.
death
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bear looked both untamed and fierce and as if nothing would suit him better than to hug the lad to death and eat him up afterward.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Joe did not stand upon the order of his going, but went instantly, running as fast as his tired limbs would permit.
distance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe had never before met a black bear in the open air, but he had seen several in menageries and studied them at a safe distance, and he realized that he was in a perilous position.
eat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bear looked both untamed and fierce and as if nothing would suit him better than to hug the lad to death and eat him up afterward.
fast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe did not stand upon the order of his going, but went instantly, running as fast as his tired limbs would permit.
fierce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bear looked both untamed and fierce and as if nothing would suit him better than to hug the lad to death and eat him up afterward.
general
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After him came the bear, and it was astonishing what good time the beast could make considering his size and his general appearance of clumsiness.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe did not stand upon the order of his going, but went instantly, running as fast as his tired limbs would permit.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After him came the bear, and it was astonishing what good time the beast could make considering his size and his general appearance of clumsiness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Joe had never before met a black bear in the open air, but he had seen several in menageries and studied them at a safe distance, and he realized that he was in a perilous position.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Joe had never before met a black bear in the open air, but he had seen several in menageries and studied them at a safe distance, and he realized that he was in a perilous position.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The bear looked both untamed and fierce and as if nothing would suit him better than to hug the lad to death and eat him up afterward.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Joe did not stand upon the order of his going, but went instantly, running as fast as his tired limbs would permit.
hug
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bear looked both untamed and fierce and as if nothing would suit him better than to hug the lad to death and eat him up afterward.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The bear looked both untamed and fierce and as if nothing would suit him better than to hug the lad to death and eat him up afterward.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Joe had never before met a black bear in the open air, but he had seen several in menageries and studied them at a safe distance, and he realized that he was in a perilous position.
instantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe did not stand upon the order of his going, but went instantly, running as fast as his tired limbs would permit.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading After him came the bear, and it was astonishing what good time the beast could make considering his size and his general appearance of clumsiness.
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe had never before met a black bear in the open air, but he had seen several in menageries and studied them at a safe distance, and he realized that he was in a perilous position.
lad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bear looked both untamed and fierce and as if nothing would suit him better than to hug the lad to death and eat him up afterward.
limbs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe did not stand upon the order of his going, but went instantly, running as fast as his tired limbs would permit.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The bear looked both untamed and fierce and as if nothing would suit him better than to hug the lad to death and eat him up afterward.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After him came the bear, and it was astonishing what good time the beast could make considering his size and his general appearance of clumsiness.
menageries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe had never before met a black bear in the open air, but he had seen several in menageries and studied them at a safe distance, and he realized that he was in a perilous position.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe had never before met a black bear in the open air, but he had seen several in menageries and studied them at a safe distance, and he realized that he was in a perilous position.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Joe had never before met a black bear in the open air, but he had seen several in menageries and studied them at a safe distance, and he realized that he was in a perilous position.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Joe did not stand upon the order of his going, but went instantly, running as fast as his tired limbs would permit.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The bear looked both untamed and fierce and as if nothing would suit him better than to hug the lad to death and eat him up afterward.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Joe did not stand upon the order of his going, but went instantly, running as fast as his tired limbs would permit.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Joe had never before met a black bear in the open air, but he had seen several in menageries and studied them at a safe distance, and he realized that he was in a perilous position.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Joe did not stand upon the order of his going, but went instantly, running as fast as his tired limbs would permit.
perilous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe had never before met a black bear in the open air, but he had seen several in menageries and studied them at a safe distance, and he realized that he was in a perilous position.
permit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe did not stand upon the order of his going, but went instantly, running as fast as his tired limbs would permit.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe had never before met a black bear in the open air, but he had seen several in menageries and studied them at a safe distance, and he realized that he was in a perilous position.
realized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe had never before met a black bear in the open air, but he had seen several in menageries and studied them at a safe distance, and he realized that he was in a perilous position.
runningnounUS /ˈrunning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Joe did not stand upon the order of his going, but went instantly, running as fast as his tired limbs would permit.
safe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe had never before met a black bear in the open air, but he had seen several in menageries and studied them at a safe distance, and he realized that he was in a perilous position.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe had never before met a black bear in the open air, but he had seen several in menageries and studied them at a safe distance, and he realized that he was in a perilous position.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe had never before met a black bear in the open air, but he had seen several in menageries and studied them at a safe distance, and he realized that he was in a perilous position.
size
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After him came the bear, and it was astonishing what good time the beast could make considering his size and his general appearance of clumsiness.
stand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe did not stand upon the order of his going, but went instantly, running as fast as his tired limbs would permit.
studied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe had never before met a black bear in the open air, but he had seen several in menageries and studied them at a safe distance, and he realized that he was in a perilous position.
suit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bear looked both untamed and fierce and as if nothing would suit him better than to hug the lad to death and eat him up afterward.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The bear looked both untamed and fierce and as if nothing would suit him better than to hug the lad to death and eat him up afterward.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Joe had never before met a black bear in the open air, but he had seen several in menageries and studied them at a safe distance, and he realized that he was in a perilous position.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BIG BLACK BEAR.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Joe had never before met a black bear in the open air, but he had seen several in menageries and studied them at a safe distance, and he realized that he was in a perilous position.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After him came the bear, and it was astonishing what good time the beast could make considering his size and his general appearance of clumsiness.
tired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe did not stand upon the order of his going, but went instantly, running as fast as his tired limbs would permit.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The bear looked both untamed and fierce and as if nothing would suit him better than to hug the lad to death and eat him up afterward.
untamed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bear looked both untamed and fierce and as if nothing would suit him better than to hug the lad to death and eat him up afterward.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bear looked both untamed and fierce and as if nothing would suit him better than to hug the lad to death and eat him up afterward.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Joe did not stand upon the order of his going, but went instantly, running as fast as his tired limbs would permit.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Joe had never before met a black bear in the open air, but he had seen several in menageries and studied them at a safe distance, and he realized that he was in a perilous position.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Joe did not stand upon the order of his going, but went instantly, running as fast as his tired limbs would permit.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading After him came the bear, and it was astonishing what good time the beast could make considering his size and his general appearance of clumsiness.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The bear looked both untamed and fierce and as if nothing would suit him better than to hug the lad to death and eat him up afterward.
