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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 He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
allow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What do you allow you ought to get for that rifle?"
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
ANTELOPE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT ANTELOPE SPRING.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
aside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
ATprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT ANTELOPE SPRING.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
behavior
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dick was perplexed by the behavior of these two strangers.
brief
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From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Dick was perplexed by the behavior of these two strangers.
continue
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From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
conversation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
desert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
Dick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dick was perplexed by the behavior of these two strangers.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
discuss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
discussion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "What do you allow you ought to get for that rifle?"
failed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What do you allow you ought to get for that rifle?"
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
instant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
journeynounUS /ˈjourney/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
moments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
move
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
occupy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Dick was perplexed by the behavior of these two strangers.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading "What do you allow you ought to get for that rifle?"
perplexed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dick was perplexed by the behavior of these two strangers.
private
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
rejoinednounUS /ˈrejoined/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
rifle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What do you allow you ought to get for that rifle?"
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
SPRING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT ANTELOPE SPRING.
strangers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dick was perplexed by the behavior of these two strangers.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Dick was perplexed by the behavior of these two strangers.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Dick was perplexed by the behavior of these two strangers.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dick was perplexed by the behavior of these two strangers.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
utterly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dick was perplexed by the behavior of these two strangers.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What do you allow you ought to get for that rifle?"
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
whicheverdeterminerUS /wɪˈtʃevər/
any one of a set, it does not matter which
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "What do you allow you ought to get for that rifle?"
