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 On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
active
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From this reading He was as active of body as mind, and took the lead among boys of his own age in athletic sports and feats of dexterity.
age
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From this reading He was as active of body as mind, and took the lead among boys of his own age in athletic sports and feats of dexterity.
ago
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From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
alive
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From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading He was as active of body as mind, and took the lead among boys of his own age in athletic sports and feats of dexterity.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The boy had no brother or sister; and as he was bright, truthful, good-tempered, quick of perception, and obedient, it can be well understood that he was the pride and hope of his mother and aunt, whose circumstances were of the humblest nature.
athletic
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From this reading He was as active of body as mind, and took the lead among boys of his own age in athletic sports and feats of dexterity.
attended
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From this reading He attended the village school, where he was the most popular and promising of the threescore pupils under the care of the crabbed Mr. Jenkins.
Aunt
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From this reading Tom Gordon lived a mile from Briggsville with his widowed mother and his Aunt Cynthia, a sister to his father, who had died five years before.
band
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From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
barely
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From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The boy had no brother or sister; and as he was bright, truthful, good-tempered, quick of perception, and obedient, it can be well understood that he was the pride and hope of his mother and aunt, whose circumstances were of the humblest nature.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
block-house
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From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was as active of body as mind, and took the lead among boys of his own age in athletic sports and feats of dexterity.
boy
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From this reading The boy had no brother or sister; and as he was bright, truthful, good-tempered, quick of perception, and obedient, it can be well understood that he was the pride and hope of his mother and aunt, whose circumstances were of the humblest nature.
boys
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From this reading He was as active of body as mind, and took the lead among boys of his own age in athletic sports and feats of dexterity.
Briggsville
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From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
bright
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From this reading The boy had no brother or sister; and as he was bright, truthful, good-tempered, quick of perception, and obedient, it can be well understood that he was the pride and hope of his mother and aunt, whose circumstances were of the humblest nature.
brother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boy had no brother or sister; and as he was bright, truthful, good-tempered, quick of perception, and obedient, it can be well understood that he was the pride and hope of his mother and aunt, whose circumstances were of the humblest nature.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading The boy had no brother or sister; and as he was bright, truthful, good-tempered, quick of perception, and obedient, it can be well understood that he was the pride and hope of his mother and aunt, whose circumstances were of the humblest nature.
care
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From this reading He attended the village school, where he was the most popular and promising of the threescore pupils under the care of the crabbed Mr. Jenkins.
certain
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From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
circumstances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boy had no brother or sister; and as he was bright, truthful, good-tempered, quick of perception, and obedient, it can be well understood that he was the pride and hope of his mother and aunt, whose circumstances were of the humblest nature.
crabbed
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From this reading He attended the village school, where he was the most popular and promising of the threescore pupils under the care of the crabbed Mr. Jenkins.
cyclone
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From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
Cynthia
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From this reading Tom Gordon lived a mile from Briggsville with his widowed mother and his Aunt Cynthia, a sister to his father, who had died five years before.
day
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From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
descendants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
descendednounUS /ˈdescended/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
dexteritynounUS /dɛkˈstɛrəti/
skill in using the hands or body in a specific situation in this story
From this reading He was as active of body as mind, and took the lead among boys of his own age in athletic sports and feats of dexterity.
died
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From this reading Tom Gordon lived a mile from Briggsville with his widowed mother and his Aunt Cynthia, a sister to his father, who had died five years before.
dozen
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From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
excitement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
father
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From this reading Tom Gordon lived a mile from Briggsville with his widowed mother and his Aunt Cynthia, a sister to his father, who had died five years before.
fearful
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From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
feats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was as active of body as mind, and took the lead among boys of his own age in athletic sports and feats of dexterity.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
five
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From this reading Tom Gordon lived a mile from Briggsville with his widowed mother and his Aunt Cynthia, a sister to his father, who had died five years before.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Tom Gordon lived a mile from Briggsville with his widowed mother and his Aunt Cynthia, a sister to his father, who had died five years before.
good-tempered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boy had no brother or sister; and as he was bright, truthful, good-tempered, quick of perception, and obedient, it can be well understood that he was the pride and hope of his mother and aunt, whose circumstances were of the humblest nature.
Gordon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom Gordon lived a mile from Briggsville with his widowed mother and his Aunt Cynthia, a sister to his father, who had died five years before.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Tom Gordon lived a mile from Briggsville with his widowed mother and his Aunt Cynthia, a sister to his father, who had died five years before.
hamlet
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From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The boy had no brother or sister; and as he was bright, truthful, good-tempered, quick of perception, and obedient, it can be well understood that he was the pride and hope of his mother and aunt, whose circumstances were of the humblest nature.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Tom Gordon lived a mile from Briggsville with his widowed mother and his Aunt Cynthia, a sister to his father, who had died five years before.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boy had no brother or sister; and as he was bright, truthful, good-tempered, quick of perception, and obedient, it can be well understood that he was the pride and hope of his mother and aunt, whose circumstances were of the humblest nature.
humblest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boy had no brother or sister; and as he was bright, truthful, good-tempered, quick of perception, and obedient, it can be well understood that he was the pride and hope of his mother and aunt, whose circumstances were of the humblest nature.
hundred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The boy had no brother or sister; and as he was bright, truthful, good-tempered, quick of perception, and obedient, it can be well understood that he was the pride and hope of his mother and aunt, whose circumstances were of the humblest nature.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
Jenkins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attended the village school, where he was the most popular and promising of the threescore pupils under the care of the crabbed Mr. Jenkins.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
lead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was as active of body as mind, and took the lead among boys of his own age in athletic sports and feats of dexterity.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
lived
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From this reading Tom Gordon lived a mile from Briggsville with his widowed mother and his Aunt Cynthia, a sister to his father, who had died five years before.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
mile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom Gordon lived a mile from Briggsville with his widowed mother and his Aunt Cynthia, a sister to his father, who had died five years before.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was as active of body as mind, and took the lead among boys of his own age in athletic sports and feats of dexterity.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attended the village school, where he was the most popular and promising of the threescore pupils under the care of the crabbed Mr. Jenkins.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom Gordon lived a mile from Briggsville with his widowed mother and his Aunt Cynthia, a sister to his father, who had died five years before.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attended the village school, where he was the most popular and promising of the threescore pupils under the care of the crabbed Mr. Jenkins.
nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boy had no brother or sister; and as he was bright, truthful, good-tempered, quick of perception, and obedient, it can be well understood that he was the pride and hope of his mother and aunt, whose circumstances were of the humblest nature.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The boy had no brother or sister; and as he was bright, truthful, good-tempered, quick of perception, and obedient, it can be well understood that he was the pride and hope of his mother and aunt, whose circumstances were of the humblest nature.
obedient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boy had no brother or sister; and as he was bright, truthful, good-tempered, quick of perception, and obedient, it can be well understood that he was the pride and hope of his mother and aunt, whose circumstances were of the humblest nature.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The boy had no brother or sister; and as he was bright, truthful, good-tempered, quick of perception, and obedient, it can be well understood that he was the pride and hope of his mother and aunt, whose circumstances were of the humblest nature.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was as active of body as mind, and took the lead among boys of his own age in athletic sports and feats of dexterity.
Pennsylvania
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
perception
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boy had no brother or sister; and as he was bright, truthful, good-tempered, quick of perception, and obedient, it can be well understood that he was the pride and hope of his mother and aunt, whose circumstances were of the humblest nature.
popular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attended the village school, where he was the most popular and promising of the threescore pupils under the care of the crabbed Mr. Jenkins.
pride
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boy had no brother or sister; and as he was bright, truthful, good-tempered, quick of perception, and obedient, it can be well understood that he was the pride and hope of his mother and aunt, whose circumstances were of the humblest nature.
promising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attended the village school, where he was the most popular and promising of the threescore pupils under the care of the crabbed Mr. Jenkins.
pupils
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attended the village school, where he was the most popular and promising of the threescore pupils under the care of the crabbed Mr. Jenkins.
quick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boy had no brother or sister; and as he was bright, truthful, good-tempered, quick of perception, and obedient, it can be well understood that he was the pride and hope of his mother and aunt, whose circumstances were of the humblest nature.
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attended the village school, where he was the most popular and promising of the threescore pupils under the care of the crabbed Mr. Jenkins.
settlers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
sister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom Gordon lived a mile from Briggsville with his widowed mother and his Aunt Cynthia, a sister to his father, who had died five years before.
sports
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was as active of body as mind, and took the lead among boys of his own age in athletic sports and feats of dexterity.
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
story
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From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
summer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The boy had no brother or sister; and as he was bright, truthful, good-tempered, quick of perception, and obedient, it can be well understood that he was the pride and hope of his mother and aunt, whose circumstances were of the humblest nature.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
threescore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attended the village school, where he was the most popular and promising of the threescore pupils under the care of the crabbed Mr. Jenkins.
thrown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
Tom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom Gordon lived a mile from Briggsville with his widowed mother and his Aunt Cynthia, a sister to his father, who had died five years before.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was as active of body as mind, and took the lead among boys of his own age in athletic sports and feats of dexterity.
truthful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boy had no brother or sister; and as he was bright, truthful, good-tempered, quick of perception, and obedient, it can be well understood that he was the pride and hope of his mother and aunt, whose circumstances were of the humblest nature.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading He attended the village school, where he was the most popular and promising of the threescore pupils under the care of the crabbed Mr. Jenkins.
understood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boy had no brother or sister; and as he was bright, truthful, good-tempered, quick of perception, and obedient, it can be well understood that he was the pride and hope of his mother and aunt, whose circumstances were of the humblest nature.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
village
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
visitation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boy had no brother or sister; and as he was bright, truthful, good-tempered, quick of perception, and obedient, it can be well understood that he was the pride and hope of his mother and aunt, whose circumstances were of the humblest nature.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The boy had no brother or sister; and as he was bright, truthful, good-tempered, quick of perception, and obedient, it can be well understood that he was the pride and hope of his mother and aunt, whose circumstances were of the humblest nature.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading He attended the village school, where he was the most popular and promising of the threescore pupils under the care of the crabbed Mr. Jenkins.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Tom Gordon lived a mile from Briggsville with his widowed mother and his Aunt Cynthia, a sister to his father, who had died five years before.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading The boy had no brother or sister; and as he was bright, truthful, good-tempered, quick of perception, and obedient, it can be well understood that he was the pride and hope of his mother and aunt, whose circumstances were of the humblest nature.
widowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom Gordon lived a mile from Briggsville with his widowed mother and his Aunt Cynthia, a sister to his father, who had died five years before.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a certain summer day, a few years ago, the little village of Briggsville, in Pennsylvania, was thrown into a state of excitement, the like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon the little hamlet with its block-house, and left barely a dozen settlers alive to tell the story of the visitation to their descendants.