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 The fitful bursts of sleet had changed into a steady rain and the horses had heavy work even without a load behind them.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading “I hope Zeena ain’t broken anything she sets store by,” she called after him as he turned the greys toward home.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Once or twice, hearing sleigh-bells, Ethan turned his head, fancying that Zeena and Jotham might overtake him; but the old sorrel was not in sight, and he set his face against the rain and urged on his ponderous pair.
ain't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I hope Zeena ain’t broken anything she sets store by,” she called after him as he turned the greys toward home.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mattie was there alone, as he had pictured her.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The fitful bursts of sleet had changed into a steady rain and the horses had heavy work even without a load behind them.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading “I hope Zeena ain’t broken anything she sets store by,” she called after him as he turned the greys toward home.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “I hope Zeena ain’t broken anything she sets store by,” she called after him as he turned the greys toward home.
barn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The barn was empty when the horses turned into it and, after giving them the most perfunctory ministrations they had ever received from him, he strode up to the house and pushed open the kitchen door.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The fitful bursts of sleet had changed into a steady rain and the horses had heavy work even without a load behind them.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I hope Zeena ain’t broken anything she sets store by,” she called after him as he turned the greys toward home.
bursts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fitful bursts of sleet had changed into a steady rain and the horses had heavy work even without a load behind them.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Once or twice, hearing sleigh-bells, Ethan turned his head, fancying that Zeena and Jotham might overtake him; but the old sorrel was not in sight, and he set his face against the rain and urged on his ponderous pair.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “I hope Zeena ain’t broken anything she sets store by,” she called after him as he turned the greys toward home.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I hope Zeena ain’t broken anything she sets store by,” she called after him as he turned the greys toward home.
changed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fitful bursts of sleet had changed into a steady rain and the horses had heavy work even without a load behind them.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The barn was empty when the horses turned into it and, after giving them the most perfunctory ministrations they had ever received from him, he strode up to the house and pushed open the kitchen door.
empty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The barn was empty when the horses turned into it and, after giving them the most perfunctory ministrations they had ever received from him, he strode up to the house and pushed open the kitchen door.
Ethan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice, hearing sleigh-bells, Ethan turned his head, fancying that Zeena and Jotham might overtake him; but the old sorrel was not in sight, and he set his face against the rain and urged on his ponderous pair.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The fitful bursts of sleet had changed into a steady rain and the horses had heavy work even without a load behind them.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The barn was empty when the horses turned into it and, after giving them the most perfunctory ministrations they had ever received from him, he strode up to the house and pushed open the kitchen door.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice, hearing sleigh-bells, Ethan turned his head, fancying that Zeena and Jotham might overtake him; but the old sorrel was not in sight, and he set his face against the rain and urged on his ponderous pair.
fancying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice, hearing sleigh-bells, Ethan turned his head, fancying that Zeena and Jotham might overtake him; but the old sorrel was not in sight, and he set his face against the rain and urged on his ponderous pair.
fitful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fitful bursts of sleet had changed into a steady rain and the horses had heavy work even without a load behind them.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The barn was empty when the horses turned into it and, after giving them the most perfunctory ministrations they had ever received from him, he strode up to the house and pushed open the kitchen door.
giving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The barn was empty when the horses turned into it and, after giving them the most perfunctory ministrations they had ever received from him, he strode up to the house and pushed open the kitchen door.
greys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I hope Zeena ain’t broken anything she sets store by,” she called after him as he turned the greys toward home.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The fitful bursts of sleet had changed into a steady rain and the horses had heavy work even without a load behind them.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I hope Zeena ain’t broken anything she sets store by,” she called after him as he turned the greys toward home.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice, hearing sleigh-bells, Ethan turned his head, fancying that Zeena and Jotham might overtake him; but the old sorrel was not in sight, and he set his face against the rain and urged on his ponderous pair.
hearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice, hearing sleigh-bells, Ethan turned his head, fancying that Zeena and Jotham might overtake him; but the old sorrel was not in sight, and he set his face against the rain and urged on his ponderous pair.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fitful bursts of sleet had changed into a steady rain and the horses had heavy work even without a load behind them.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mattie was there alone, as he had pictured her.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “I hope Zeena ain’t broken anything she sets store by,” she called after him as he turned the greys toward home.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Once or twice, hearing sleigh-bells, Ethan turned his head, fancying that Zeena and Jotham might overtake him; but the old sorrel was not in sight, and he set his face against the rain and urged on his ponderous pair.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I hope Zeena ain’t broken anything she sets store by,” she called after him as he turned the greys toward home.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I hope Zeena ain’t broken anything she sets store by,” she called after him as he turned the greys toward home.
horses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fitful bursts of sleet had changed into a steady rain and the horses had heavy work even without a load behind them.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The barn was empty when the horses turned into it and, after giving them the most perfunctory ministrations they had ever received from him, he strode up to the house and pushed open the kitchen door.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I hope Zeena ain’t broken anything she sets store by,” she called after him as he turned the greys toward home.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Once or twice, hearing sleigh-bells, Ethan turned his head, fancying that Zeena and Jotham might overtake him; but the old sorrel was not in sight, and he set his face against the rain and urged on his ponderous pair.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The fitful bursts of sleet had changed into a steady rain and the horses had heavy work even without a load behind them.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The barn was empty when the horses turned into it and, after giving them the most perfunctory ministrations they had ever received from him, he strode up to the house and pushed open the kitchen door.
Jotham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice, hearing sleigh-bells, Ethan turned his head, fancying that Zeena and Jotham might overtake him; but the old sorrel was not in sight, and he set his face against the rain and urged on his ponderous pair.
kitchen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The barn was empty when the horses turned into it and, after giving them the most perfunctory ministrations they had ever received from him, he strode up to the house and pushed open the kitchen door.
load
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fitful bursts of sleet had changed into a steady rain and the horses had heavy work even without a load behind them.
Mattie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mattie was there alone, as he had pictured her.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Once or twice, hearing sleigh-bells, Ethan turned his head, fancying that Zeena and Jotham might overtake him; but the old sorrel was not in sight, and he set his face against the rain and urged on his ponderous pair.
ministrations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The barn was empty when the horses turned into it and, after giving them the most perfunctory ministrations they had ever received from him, he strode up to the house and pushed open the kitchen door.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The barn was empty when the horses turned into it and, after giving them the most perfunctory ministrations they had ever received from him, he strode up to the house and pushed open the kitchen door.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Once or twice, hearing sleigh-bells, Ethan turned his head, fancying that Zeena and Jotham might overtake him; but the old sorrel was not in sight, and he set his face against the rain and urged on his ponderous pair.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The fitful bursts of sleet had changed into a steady rain and the horses had heavy work even without a load behind them.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice, hearing sleigh-bells, Ethan turned his head, fancying that Zeena and Jotham might overtake him; but the old sorrel was not in sight, and he set his face against the rain and urged on his ponderous pair.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Once or twice, hearing sleigh-bells, Ethan turned his head, fancying that Zeena and Jotham might overtake him; but the old sorrel was not in sight, and he set his face against the rain and urged on his ponderous pair.
Once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice, hearing sleigh-bells, Ethan turned his head, fancying that Zeena and Jotham might overtake him; but the old sorrel was not in sight, and he set his face against the rain and urged on his ponderous pair.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The barn was empty when the horses turned into it and, after giving them the most perfunctory ministrations they had ever received from him, he strode up to the house and pushed open the kitchen door.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Once or twice, hearing sleigh-bells, Ethan turned his head, fancying that Zeena and Jotham might overtake him; but the old sorrel was not in sight, and he set his face against the rain and urged on his ponderous pair.
overtake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice, hearing sleigh-bells, Ethan turned his head, fancying that Zeena and Jotham might overtake him; but the old sorrel was not in sight, and he set his face against the rain and urged on his ponderous pair.
pair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice, hearing sleigh-bells, Ethan turned his head, fancying that Zeena and Jotham might overtake him; but the old sorrel was not in sight, and he set his face against the rain and urged on his ponderous pair.
perfunctory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The barn was empty when the horses turned into it and, after giving them the most perfunctory ministrations they had ever received from him, he strode up to the house and pushed open the kitchen door.
pictured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mattie was there alone, as he had pictured her.
ponderous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice, hearing sleigh-bells, Ethan turned his head, fancying that Zeena and Jotham might overtake him; but the old sorrel was not in sight, and he set his face against the rain and urged on his ponderous pair.
pushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The barn was empty when the horses turned into it and, after giving them the most perfunctory ministrations they had ever received from him, he strode up to the house and pushed open the kitchen door.
rain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fitful bursts of sleet had changed into a steady rain and the horses had heavy work even without a load behind them.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The barn was empty when the horses turned into it and, after giving them the most perfunctory ministrations they had ever received from him, he strode up to the house and pushed open the kitchen door.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice, hearing sleigh-bells, Ethan turned his head, fancying that Zeena and Jotham might overtake him; but the old sorrel was not in sight, and he set his face against the rain and urged on his ponderous pair.
sets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I hope Zeena ain’t broken anything she sets store by,” she called after him as he turned the greys toward home.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I hope Zeena ain’t broken anything she sets store by,” she called after him as he turned the greys toward home.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice, hearing sleigh-bells, Ethan turned his head, fancying that Zeena and Jotham might overtake him; but the old sorrel was not in sight, and he set his face against the rain and urged on his ponderous pair.
sleet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fitful bursts of sleet had changed into a steady rain and the horses had heavy work even without a load behind them.
sleigh-bells
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice, hearing sleigh-bells, Ethan turned his head, fancying that Zeena and Jotham might overtake him; but the old sorrel was not in sight, and he set his face against the rain and urged on his ponderous pair.
sorrel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice, hearing sleigh-bells, Ethan turned his head, fancying that Zeena and Jotham might overtake him; but the old sorrel was not in sight, and he set his face against the rain and urged on his ponderous pair.
steady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fitful bursts of sleet had changed into a steady rain and the horses had heavy work even without a load behind them.
store
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I hope Zeena ain’t broken anything she sets store by,” she called after him as he turned the greys toward home.
strode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The barn was empty when the horses turned into it and, after giving them the most perfunctory ministrations they had ever received from him, he strode up to the house and pushed open the kitchen door.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Once or twice, hearing sleigh-bells, Ethan turned his head, fancying that Zeena and Jotham might overtake him; but the old sorrel was not in sight, and he set his face against the rain and urged on his ponderous pair.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “I hope Zeena ain’t broken anything she sets store by,” she called after him as he turned the greys toward home.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The fitful bursts of sleet had changed into a steady rain and the horses had heavy work even without a load behind them.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mattie was there alone, as he had pictured her.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The barn was empty when the horses turned into it and, after giving them the most perfunctory ministrations they had ever received from him, he strode up to the house and pushed open the kitchen door.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The barn was empty when the horses turned into it and, after giving them the most perfunctory ministrations they had ever received from him, he strode up to the house and pushed open the kitchen door.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading “I hope Zeena ain’t broken anything she sets store by,” she called after him as he turned the greys toward home.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I hope Zeena ain’t broken anything she sets store by,” she called after him as he turned the greys toward home.
twice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice, hearing sleigh-bells, Ethan turned his head, fancying that Zeena and Jotham might overtake him; but the old sorrel was not in sight, and he set his face against the rain and urged on his ponderous pair.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The barn was empty when the horses turned into it and, after giving them the most perfunctory ministrations they had ever received from him, he strode up to the house and pushed open the kitchen door.
urged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice, hearing sleigh-bells, Ethan turned his head, fancying that Zeena and Jotham might overtake him; but the old sorrel was not in sight, and he set his face against the rain and urged on his ponderous pair.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Once or twice, hearing sleigh-bells, Ethan turned his head, fancying that Zeena and Jotham might overtake him; but the old sorrel was not in sight, and he set his face against the rain and urged on his ponderous pair.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The barn was empty when the horses turned into it and, after giving them the most perfunctory ministrations they had ever received from him, he strode up to the house and pushed open the kitchen door.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The fitful bursts of sleet had changed into a steady rain and the horses had heavy work even without a load behind them.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fitful bursts of sleet had changed into a steady rain and the horses had heavy work even without a load behind them.
Zeena
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I hope Zeena ain’t broken anything she sets store by,” she called after him as he turned the greys toward home.
