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 He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Although Elam said nothing about it, Aleck had been at the bottom of three desperate attempts upon his life, as well as of four efforts that had been made to rob him, and Elam thought he couldn't stand it any longer.
account
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
ahead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
Aleck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had already borne enough from one of these men to put him pretty well out of patience.
AlthoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Although Elam said nothing about it, Aleck had been at the bottom of three desperate attempts upon his life, as well as of four efforts that had been made to rob him, and Elam thought he couldn't stand it any longer.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although Elam said nothing about it, Aleck had been at the bottom of three desperate attempts upon his life, as well as of four efforts that had been made to rob him, and Elam thought he couldn't stand it any longer.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Although Elam said nothing about it, Aleck had been at the bottom of three desperate attempts upon his life, as well as of four efforts that had been made to rob him, and Elam thought he couldn't stand it any longer.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
attempts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Although Elam said nothing about it, Aleck had been at the bottom of three desperate attempts upon his life, as well as of four efforts that had been made to rob him, and Elam thought he couldn't stand it any longer.
borne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had already borne enough from one of these men to put him pretty well out of patience.
bottom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although Elam said nothing about it, Aleck had been at the bottom of three desperate attempts upon his life, as well as of four efforts that had been made to rob him, and Elam thought he couldn't stand it any longer.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
colonel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
companion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
confront
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although Elam said nothing about it, Aleck had been at the bottom of three desperate attempts upon his life, as well as of four efforts that had been made to rob him, and Elam thought he couldn't stand it any longer.
desperate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although Elam said nothing about it, Aleck had been at the bottom of three desperate attempts upon his life, as well as of four efforts that had been made to rob him, and Elam thought he couldn't stand it any longer.
determination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
disposing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
efforts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although Elam said nothing about it, Aleck had been at the bottom of three desperate attempts upon his life, as well as of four efforts that had been made to rob him, and Elam thought he couldn't stand it any longer.
ELAM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ELAM INTERVIEWS THE MAJOR.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had already borne enough from one of these men to put him pretty well out of patience.
failing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
foot-hills
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
fort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although Elam said nothing about it, Aleck had been at the bottom of three desperate attempts upon his life, as well as of four efforts that had been made to rob him, and Elam thought he couldn't stand it any longer.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had already borne enough from one of these men to put him pretty well out of patience.
furs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had already borne enough from one of these men to put him pretty well out of patience.
hadn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had already borne enough from one of these men to put him pretty well out of patience.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
horse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
INTERVIEWS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ELAM INTERVIEWS THE MAJOR.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
keeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Although Elam said nothing about it, Aleck had been at the bottom of three desperate attempts upon his life, as well as of four efforts that had been made to rob him, and Elam thought he couldn't stand it any longer.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although Elam said nothing about it, Aleck had been at the bottom of three desperate attempts upon his life, as well as of four efforts that had been made to rob him, and Elam thought he couldn't stand it any longer.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although Elam said nothing about it, Aleck had been at the bottom of three desperate attempts upon his life, as well as of four efforts that had been made to rob him, and Elam thought he couldn't stand it any longer.
MAJOR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ELAM INTERVIEWS THE MAJOR.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had already borne enough from one of these men to put him pretty well out of patience.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
mounted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Although Elam said nothing about it, Aleck had been at the bottom of three desperate attempts upon his life, as well as of four efforts that had been made to rob him, and Elam thought he couldn't stand it any longer.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had already borne enough from one of these men to put him pretty well out of patience.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
patience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had already borne enough from one of these men to put him pretty well out of patience.
picked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
prairie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
pretty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had already borne enough from one of these men to put him pretty well out of patience.
push
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had already borne enough from one of these men to put him pretty well out of patience.
render
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
rifle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
rob
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although Elam said nothing about it, Aleck had been at the bottom of three desperate attempts upon his life, as well as of four efforts that had been made to rob him, and Elam thought he couldn't stand it any longer.
robbersnounUS /ˈrɒb.ərz/
Persons who steal from a person or place, especially using violence or threats.
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
rode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although Elam said nothing about it, Aleck had been at the bottom of three desperate attempts upon his life, as well as of four efforts that had been made to rob him, and Elam thought he couldn't stand it any longer.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
seeing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
shot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
sides
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
skirtednounUS /ˈskirted/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
stand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although Elam said nothing about it, Aleck had been at the bottom of three desperate attempts upon his life, as well as of four efforts that had been made to rob him, and Elam thought he couldn't stand it any longer.
stray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
sutler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ELAM INTERVIEWS THE MAJOR.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading He had already borne enough from one of these men to put him pretty well out of patience.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Although Elam said nothing about it, Aleck had been at the bottom of three desperate attempts upon his life, as well as of four efforts that had been made to rob him, and Elam thought he couldn't stand it any longer.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although Elam said nothing about it, Aleck had been at the bottom of three desperate attempts upon his life, as well as of four efforts that had been made to rob him, and Elam thought he couldn't stand it any longer.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Although Elam said nothing about it, Aleck had been at the bottom of three desperate attempts upon his life, as well as of four efforts that had been made to rob him, and Elam thought he couldn't stand it any longer.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had already borne enough from one of these men to put him pretty well out of patience.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
willows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rode along just outside of the willows that skirted the foot-hills, so that he could not be picked off by a stray rifle shot, and keeping a close watch of the prairie on all sides of him, and when night came he hadn't seen anything of the robbers.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading When Elam mounted his horse and set out for the fort that morning, it was with the secret determination to confront Aleck and his companion, or, failing in that, he would push on ahead, and by seeing the colonel or the sutler he would render their attempts at disposing of the furs of no account.
