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 A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
adobe
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From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
American
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "A señorita--an American--desires an immediate audience."
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "A señorita--an American--desires an immediate audience."
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
AREauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading IN WHICH THE FOOTPRINTS ARE LOST FOR EVER.
arrived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But, as it so happened, the cook had borrowed it that morning to rake _tortillas_ from the Presidio oven, and Don Juan Salvatierra contented himself with sternly demanding the reason for this unwonted intrusion.
audience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "A señorita--an American--desires an immediate audience."
awakened
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From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
baking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
black
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From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
borrowed
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From this reading But, as it so happened, the cook had borrowed it that morning to rake _tortillas_ from the Presidio oven, and Don Juan Salvatierra contented himself with sternly demanding the reason for this unwonted intrusion.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For thirty years the noonday slumbers of the Commander had never been broken; his first thought was the heathen!--his first impulse to reach for his trusty Toledo.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, as it so happened, the cook had borrowed it that morning to rake _tortillas_ from the Presidio oven, and Don Juan Salvatierra contented himself with sternly demanding the reason for this unwonted intrusion.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
chamber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
Comandante
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From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
Commander
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From this reading For thirty years the noonday slumbers of the Commander had never been broken; his first thought was the heathen!--his first impulse to reach for his trusty Toledo.
contented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as it so happened, the cook had borrowed it that morning to rake _tortillas_ from the Presidio oven, and Don Juan Salvatierra contented himself with sternly demanding the reason for this unwonted intrusion.
cook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as it so happened, the cook had borrowed it that morning to rake _tortillas_ from the Presidio oven, and Don Juan Salvatierra contented himself with sternly demanding the reason for this unwonted intrusion.
courtyardnounUS /ˈkɔːrtjɑːrd/
an open area surrounded by the walls of a building
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
demanding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as it so happened, the cook had borrowed it that morning to rake _tortillas_ from the Presidio oven, and Don Juan Salvatierra contented himself with sternly demanding the reason for this unwonted intrusion.
desires
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "A señorita--an American--desires an immediate audience."
Don
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as it so happened, the cook had borrowed it that morning to rake _tortillas_ from the Presidio oven, and Don Juan Salvatierra contented himself with sternly demanding the reason for this unwonted intrusion.
driving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
EVERnounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading IN WHICH THE FOOTPRINTS ARE LOST FOR EVER.
fervid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
firing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For thirty years the noonday slumbers of the Commander had never been broken; his first thought was the heathen!--his first impulse to reach for his trusty Toledo.
FOOTPRINTS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH THE FOOTPRINTS ARE LOST FOR EVER.
FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading IN WHICH THE FOOTPRINTS ARE LOST FOR EVER.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But, as it so happened, the cook had borrowed it that morning to rake _tortillas_ from the Presidio oven, and Don Juan Salvatierra contented himself with sternly demanding the reason for this unwonted intrusion.
galleries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
gently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
guard-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as it so happened, the cook had borrowed it that morning to rake _tortillas_ from the Presidio oven, and Don Juan Salvatierra contented himself with sternly demanding the reason for this unwonted intrusion.
heathen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For thirty years the noonday slumbers of the Commander had never been broken; his first thought was the heathen!--his first impulse to reach for his trusty Toledo.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading But, as it so happened, the cook had borrowed it that morning to rake _tortillas_ from the Presidio oven, and Don Juan Salvatierra contented himself with sternly demanding the reason for this unwonted intrusion.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
immediate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "A señorita--an American--desires an immediate audience."
impulsenounUS /ˈɪmpʌls/
a sudden strong desire to act
From this reading For thirty years the noonday slumbers of the Commander had never been broken; his first thought was the heathen!--his first impulse to reach for his trusty Toledo.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN WHICH THE FOOTPRINTS ARE LOST FOR EVER.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
intrusion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as it so happened, the cook had borrowed it that morning to rake _tortillas_ from the Presidio oven, and Don Juan Salvatierra contented himself with sternly demanding the reason for this unwonted intrusion.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But, as it so happened, the cook had borrowed it that morning to rake _tortillas_ from the Presidio oven, and Don Juan Salvatierra contented himself with sternly demanding the reason for this unwonted intrusion.
Juan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as it so happened, the cook had borrowed it that morning to rake _tortillas_ from the Presidio oven, and Don Juan Salvatierra contented himself with sternly demanding the reason for this unwonted intrusion.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
LOST
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH THE FOOTPRINTS ARE LOST FOR EVER.
low
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But, as it so happened, the cook had borrowed it that morning to rake _tortillas_ from the Presidio oven, and Don Juan Salvatierra contented himself with sternly demanding the reason for this unwonted intrusion.
mules
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For thirty years the noonday slumbers of the Commander had never been broken; his first thought was the heathen!--his first impulse to reach for his trusty Toledo.
noonday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
oven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as it so happened, the cook had borrowed it that morning to rake _tortillas_ from the Presidio oven, and Don Juan Salvatierra contented himself with sternly demanding the reason for this unwonted intrusion.
Presidio
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
quadrangle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
rake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as it so happened, the cook had borrowed it that morning to rake _tortillas_ from the Presidio oven, and Don Juan Salvatierra contented himself with sternly demanding the reason for this unwonted intrusion.
Ramon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
reach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For thirty years the noonday slumbers of the Commander had never been broken; his first thought was the heathen!--his first impulse to reach for his trusty Toledo.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as it so happened, the cook had borrowed it that morning to rake _tortillas_ from the Presidio oven, and Don Juan Salvatierra contented himself with sternly demanding the reason for this unwonted intrusion.
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
Salvatierra
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as it so happened, the cook had borrowed it that morning to rake _tortillas_ from the Presidio oven, and Don Juan Salvatierra contented himself with sternly demanding the reason for this unwonted intrusion.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
scorching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
secretary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
señorita
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "A señorita--an American--desires an immediate audience."
shade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
siesta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
slumbers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For thirty years the noonday slumbers of the Commander had never been broken; his first thought was the heathen!--his first impulse to reach for his trusty Toledo.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But, as it so happened, the cook had borrowed it that morning to rake _tortillas_ from the Presidio oven, and Don Juan Salvatierra contented himself with sternly demanding the reason for this unwonted intrusion.
sternly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as it so happened, the cook had borrowed it that morning to rake _tortillas_ from the Presidio oven, and Don Juan Salvatierra contented himself with sternly demanding the reason for this unwonted intrusion.
studded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
taking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN WHICH THE FOOTPRINTS ARE LOST FOR EVER.
thirty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For thirty years the noonday slumbers of the Commander had never been broken; his first thought was the heathen!--his first impulse to reach for his trusty Toledo.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But, as it so happened, the cook had borrowed it that morning to rake _tortillas_ from the Presidio oven, and Don Juan Salvatierra contented himself with sternly demanding the reason for this unwonted intrusion.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For thirty years the noonday slumbers of the Commander had never been broken; his first thought was the heathen!--his first impulse to reach for his trusty Toledo.
tiles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For thirty years the noonday slumbers of the Commander had never been broken; his first thought was the heathen!--his first impulse to reach for his trusty Toledo.
Toledo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For thirty years the noonday slumbers of the Commander had never been broken; his first thought was the heathen!--his first impulse to reach for his trusty Toledo.
tortillas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as it so happened, the cook had borrowed it that morning to rake _tortillas_ from the Presidio oven, and Don Juan Salvatierra contented himself with sternly demanding the reason for this unwonted intrusion.
train
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
trusty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For thirty years the noonday slumbers of the Commander had never been broken; his first thought was the heathen!--his first impulse to reach for his trusty Toledo.
unwonted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as it so happened, the cook had borrowed it that morning to rake _tortillas_ from the Presidio oven, and Don Juan Salvatierra contented himself with sternly demanding the reason for this unwonted intrusion.
vaqueros
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
WHICHpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH THE FOOTPRINTS ARE LOST FOR EVER.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading A fervid May sun had been baking the adobe walls of the Presidio of San Ramon, firing the red tiles, scorching the black courtyard, and driving the mules and vaqueros of a train that had just arrived into the shade of the long galleries of the quadrangle, when the _Comandante_, who was taking his noonday _siesta_ in a low, studded chamber beside the guard-room, was gently awakened by his secretary.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading But, as it so happened, the cook had borrowed it that morning to rake _tortillas_ from the Presidio oven, and Don Juan Salvatierra contented himself with sternly demanding the reason for this unwonted intrusion.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For thirty years the noonday slumbers of the Commander had never been broken; his first thought was the heathen!--his first impulse to reach for his trusty Toledo.
