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 Jim was trembling, for he was still weak from his long illness, and he steadied himself by attentions to Zaraza and by bidding Jose in Spanish to bring the stranger a drink.
Alaric
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From this reading The spring had always been there; but it had been easier for lazy Alaric, the herder, to fill the barrel now and then--or let the rain do it for him--and use from that till the supply failed.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The spring had always been there; but it had been easier for lazy Alaric, the herder, to fill the barrel now and then--or let the rain do it for him--and use from that till the supply failed.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading PROSPERITY AND PARTING They were both so excited that at first they couldn't talk, but could only stare at each other in speechless delight.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading PROSPERITY AND PARTING They were both so excited that at first they couldn't talk, but could only stare at each other in speechless delight.
attentions
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From this reading Jim was trembling, for he was still weak from his long illness, and he steadied himself by attentions to Zaraza and by bidding Jose in Spanish to bring the stranger a drink.
barrel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The spring had always been there; but it had been easier for lazy Alaric, the herder, to fill the barrel now and then--or let the rain do it for him--and use from that till the supply failed.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Dorothy dropped down upon the stones where they had been sitting and watched the child.
bidding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim was trembling, for he was still weak from his long illness, and he steadied himself by attentions to Zaraza and by bidding Jose in Spanish to bring the stranger a drink.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading PROSPERITY AND PARTING They were both so excited that at first they couldn't talk, but could only stare at each other in speechless delight.
bring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim was trembling, for he was still weak from his long illness, and he steadied himself by attentions to Zaraza and by bidding Jose in Spanish to bring the stranger a drink.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading PROSPERITY AND PARTING They were both so excited that at first they couldn't talk, but could only stare at each other in speechless delight.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Jim was trembling, for he was still weak from his long illness, and he steadied himself by attentions to Zaraza and by bidding Jose in Spanish to bring the stranger a drink.
cabin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not now dip water from the tank at the cabin door but from a nearby spring, which Jim had found and cleared of rubbish.
child
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dorothy dropped down upon the stones where they had been sitting and watched the child.
cleared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not now dip water from the tank at the cabin door but from a nearby spring, which Jim had found and cleared of rubbish.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading PROSPERITY AND PARTING They were both so excited that at first they couldn't talk, but could only stare at each other in speechless delight.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PROSPERITY AND PARTING They were both so excited that at first they couldn't talk, but could only stare at each other in speechless delight.
delight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PROSPERITY AND PARTING They were both so excited that at first they couldn't talk, but could only stare at each other in speechless delight.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did not now dip water from the tank at the cabin door but from a nearby spring, which Jim had found and cleared of rubbish.
dip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not now dip water from the tank at the cabin door but from a nearby spring, which Jim had found and cleared of rubbish.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The spring had always been there; but it had been easier for lazy Alaric, the herder, to fill the barrel now and then--or let the rain do it for him--and use from that till the supply failed.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not now dip water from the tank at the cabin door but from a nearby spring, which Jim had found and cleared of rubbish.
Dorothy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dorothy dropped down upon the stones where they had been sitting and watched the child.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dorothy dropped down upon the stones where they had been sitting and watched the child.
drink
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim was trembling, for he was still weak from his long illness, and he steadied himself by attentions to Zaraza and by bidding Jose in Spanish to bring the stranger a drink.
dropped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dorothy dropped down upon the stones where they had been sitting and watched the child.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading PROSPERITY AND PARTING They were both so excited that at first they couldn't talk, but could only stare at each other in speechless delight.
easier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The spring had always been there; but it had been easier for lazy Alaric, the herder, to fill the barrel now and then--or let the rain do it for him--and use from that till the supply failed.
excitedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪd/
very enthusiastic or eager
From this reading PROSPERITY AND PARTING They were both so excited that at first they couldn't talk, but could only stare at each other in speechless delight.
failed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The spring had always been there; but it had been easier for lazy Alaric, the herder, to fill the barrel now and then--or let the rain do it for him--and use from that till the supply failed.
fill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The spring had always been there; but it had been easier for lazy Alaric, the herder, to fill the barrel now and then--or let the rain do it for him--and use from that till the supply failed.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading PROSPERITY AND PARTING They were both so excited that at first they couldn't talk, but could only stare at each other in speechless delight.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Jim was trembling, for he was still weak from his long illness, and he steadied himself by attentions to Zaraza and by bidding Jose in Spanish to bring the stranger a drink.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He did not now dip water from the tank at the cabin door but from a nearby spring, which Jim had found and cleared of rubbish.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Jim was trembling, for he was still weak from his long illness, and he steadied himself by attentions to Zaraza and by bidding Jose in Spanish to bring the stranger a drink.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Dorothy dropped down upon the stones where they had been sitting and watched the child.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Jim was trembling, for he was still weak from his long illness, and he steadied himself by attentions to Zaraza and by bidding Jose in Spanish to bring the stranger a drink.
herder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The spring had always been there; but it had been easier for lazy Alaric, the herder, to fill the barrel now and then--or let the rain do it for him--and use from that till the supply failed.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The spring had always been there; but it had been easier for lazy Alaric, the herder, to fill the barrel now and then--or let the rain do it for him--and use from that till the supply failed.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Jim was trembling, for he was still weak from his long illness, and he steadied himself by attentions to Zaraza and by bidding Jose in Spanish to bring the stranger a drink.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Jim was trembling, for he was still weak from his long illness, and he steadied himself by attentions to Zaraza and by bidding Jose in Spanish to bring the stranger a drink.
illness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim was trembling, for he was still weak from his long illness, and he steadied himself by attentions to Zaraza and by bidding Jose in Spanish to bring the stranger a drink.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading PROSPERITY AND PARTING They were both so excited that at first they couldn't talk, but could only stare at each other in speechless delight.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The spring had always been there; but it had been easier for lazy Alaric, the herder, to fill the barrel now and then--or let the rain do it for him--and use from that till the supply failed.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim was trembling, for he was still weak from his long illness, and he steadied himself by attentions to Zaraza and by bidding Jose in Spanish to bring the stranger a drink.
Jose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim was trembling, for he was still weak from his long illness, and he steadied himself by attentions to Zaraza and by bidding Jose in Spanish to bring the stranger a drink.
lazy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The spring had always been there; but it had been easier for lazy Alaric, the herder, to fill the barrel now and then--or let the rain do it for him--and use from that till the supply failed.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading The spring had always been there; but it had been easier for lazy Alaric, the herder, to fill the barrel now and then--or let the rain do it for him--and use from that till the supply failed.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Jim was trembling, for he was still weak from his long illness, and he steadied himself by attentions to Zaraza and by bidding Jose in Spanish to bring the stranger a drink.
nearby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not now dip water from the tank at the cabin door but from a nearby spring, which Jim had found and cleared of rubbish.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He did not now dip water from the tank at the cabin door but from a nearby spring, which Jim had found and cleared of rubbish.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not now dip water from the tank at the cabin door but from a nearby spring, which Jim had found and cleared of rubbish.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He did not now dip water from the tank at the cabin door but from a nearby spring, which Jim had found and cleared of rubbish.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PROSPERITY AND PARTING They were both so excited that at first they couldn't talk, but could only stare at each other in speechless delight.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The spring had always been there; but it had been easier for lazy Alaric, the herder, to fill the barrel now and then--or let the rain do it for him--and use from that till the supply failed.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PROSPERITY AND PARTING They were both so excited that at first they couldn't talk, but could only stare at each other in speechless delight.
PARTING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PROSPERITY AND PARTING They were both so excited that at first they couldn't talk, but could only stare at each other in speechless delight.
PROSPERITY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PROSPERITY AND PARTING They were both so excited that at first they couldn't talk, but could only stare at each other in speechless delight.
rain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The spring had always been there; but it had been easier for lazy Alaric, the herder, to fill the barrel now and then--or let the rain do it for him--and use from that till the supply failed.
rubbish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not now dip water from the tank at the cabin door but from a nearby spring, which Jim had found and cleared of rubbish.
sitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dorothy dropped down upon the stones where they had been sitting and watched the child.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading PROSPERITY AND PARTING They were both so excited that at first they couldn't talk, but could only stare at each other in speechless delight.
Spanish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim was trembling, for he was still weak from his long illness, and he steadied himself by attentions to Zaraza and by bidding Jose in Spanish to bring the stranger a drink.
speechless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PROSPERITY AND PARTING They were both so excited that at first they couldn't talk, but could only stare at each other in speechless delight.
spring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not now dip water from the tank at the cabin door but from a nearby spring, which Jim had found and cleared of rubbish.
stare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PROSPERITY AND PARTING They were both so excited that at first they couldn't talk, but could only stare at each other in speechless delight.
steadied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim was trembling, for he was still weak from his long illness, and he steadied himself by attentions to Zaraza and by bidding Jose in Spanish to bring the stranger a drink.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Jim was trembling, for he was still weak from his long illness, and he steadied himself by attentions to Zaraza and by bidding Jose in Spanish to bring the stranger a drink.
stones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dorothy dropped down upon the stones where they had been sitting and watched the child.
stranger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim was trembling, for he was still weak from his long illness, and he steadied himself by attentions to Zaraza and by bidding Jose in Spanish to bring the stranger a drink.
supply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The spring had always been there; but it had been easier for lazy Alaric, the herder, to fill the barrel now and then--or let the rain do it for him--and use from that till the supply failed.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PROSPERITY AND PARTING They were both so excited that at first they couldn't talk, but could only stare at each other in speechless delight.
tank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not now dip water from the tank at the cabin door but from a nearby spring, which Jim had found and cleared of rubbish.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading PROSPERITY AND PARTING They were both so excited that at first they couldn't talk, but could only stare at each other in speechless delight.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Jim was trembling, for he was still weak from his long illness, and he steadied himself by attentions to Zaraza and by bidding Jose in Spanish to bring the stranger a drink.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The spring had always been there; but it had been easier for lazy Alaric, the herder, to fill the barrel now and then--or let the rain do it for him--and use from that till the supply failed.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The spring had always been there; but it had been easier for lazy Alaric, the herder, to fill the barrel now and then--or let the rain do it for him--and use from that till the supply failed.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading PROSPERITY AND PARTING They were both so excited that at first they couldn't talk, but could only stare at each other in speechless delight.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The spring had always been there; but it had been easier for lazy Alaric, the herder, to fill the barrel now and then--or let the rain do it for him--and use from that till the supply failed.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Jim was trembling, for he was still weak from his long illness, and he steadied himself by attentions to Zaraza and by bidding Jose in Spanish to bring the stranger a drink.
trembling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim was trembling, for he was still weak from his long illness, and he steadied himself by attentions to Zaraza and by bidding Jose in Spanish to bring the stranger a drink.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Dorothy dropped down upon the stones where they had been sitting and watched the child.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The spring had always been there; but it had been easier for lazy Alaric, the herder, to fill the barrel now and then--or let the rain do it for him--and use from that till the supply failed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Jim was trembling, for he was still weak from his long illness, and he steadied himself by attentions to Zaraza and by bidding Jose in Spanish to bring the stranger a drink.
watched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dorothy dropped down upon the stones where they had been sitting and watched the child.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not now dip water from the tank at the cabin door but from a nearby spring, which Jim had found and cleared of rubbish.
weak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim was trembling, for he was still weak from his long illness, and he steadied himself by attentions to Zaraza and by bidding Jose in Spanish to bring the stranger a drink.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading PROSPERITY AND PARTING They were both so excited that at first they couldn't talk, but could only stare at each other in speechless delight.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Dorothy dropped down upon the stones where they had been sitting and watched the child.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He did not now dip water from the tank at the cabin door but from a nearby spring, which Jim had found and cleared of rubbish.
Zaraza
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim was trembling, for he was still weak from his long illness, and he steadied himself by attentions to Zaraza and by bidding Jose in Spanish to bring the stranger a drink.
