AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A fitful breeze played among the mesquite bushes.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading A fitful breeze played among the mesquite bushes.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It burned like hot slag, and except for a panting lizard here and there, or a dust-gray jack-rabbit, startled from its covert, nothing animate stirred upon its face.
animateverbUS /ˈænəmət/
heighten or intensify
From this reading It burned like hot slag, and except for a panting lizard here and there, or a dust-gray jack-rabbit, startled from its covert, nothing animate stirred upon its face.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
AuthornounUS /ˈɔːθər/
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading Author of "THE SILVER HORDE" "THE SPOILERS" "THE IRON TRAIL" Etc.
bakedadjectiveUS /beɪkt/
dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight
From this reading The naked earth, where it showed between the clumps of grass, was baked plaster hard.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The naked earth, where it showed between the clumps of grass, was baked plaster hard.
blindingadjectiveUS /ˈblaɪndɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
branchesnounUS /ˈbræntʃəz/
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
breezenounUS /briːz/
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading A fitful breeze played among the mesquite bushes.
burnedadjectiveUS /bɜːrnd/
treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point
From this reading It burned like hot slag, and except for a panting lizard here and there, or a dust-gray jack-rabbit, startled from its covert, nothing animate stirred upon its face.
bushesnounUS /ˈbʊʃəz/
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading A fitful breeze played among the mesquite bushes.
buzzardnounUS /ˈbʌzərd/
a New World vulture that is common in South America and Central America and the southern United States
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
chokedadjectiveUS /tʃoʊkt/
stopped up; clogged up
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
clumpsnounUS /klʌmps/
plural of “clump” — a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading The naked earth, where it showed between the clumps of grass, was baked plaster hard.
covertnounUS /ˈkoʊvərt/
a flock of coots
From this reading It burned like hot slag, and except for a panting lizard here and there, or a dust-gray jack-rabbit, startled from its covert, nothing animate stirred upon its face.
creakedverbUS /kriːkt/
past form of “creak” — make a high-pitched, screeching noise
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
criesnounUS /kraɪz/
plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
crowsnounUS /kroʊz/
plural of “crow” — black birds having a raucous call
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
directionnounUS /dərˈekʃən/
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
dovenounUS /dʌv/
any of numerous small pigeons
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
dust-gray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It burned like hot slag, and except for a panting lizard here and there, or a dust-gray jack-rabbit, startled from its covert, nothing animate stirred upon its face.
earthnounUS /ɜːrθ/
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading The naked earth, where it showed between the clumps of grass, was baked plaster hard.
Etc
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author of "THE SILVER HORDE" "THE SPOILERS" "THE IRON TRAIL" Etc.
exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading It burned like hot slag, and except for a panting lizard here and there, or a dust-gray jack-rabbit, startled from its covert, nothing animate stirred upon its face.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading It burned like hot slag, and except for a panting lizard here and there, or a dust-gray jack-rabbit, startled from its covert, nothing animate stirred upon its face.
fitfuladjectiveUS /ˈfɪtfəl/
occurring in spells and often abruptly
From this reading A fitful breeze played among the mesquite bushes.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It burned like hot slag, and except for a panting lizard here and there, or a dust-gray jack-rabbit, startled from its covert, nothing animate stirred upon its face.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It burned like hot slag, and except for a panting lizard here and there, or a dust-gray jack-rabbit, startled from its covert, nothing animate stirred upon its face.
grassverbUS /ɡræs/
shoot down, of birds
From this reading The naked earth, where it showed between the clumps of grass, was baked plaster hard.
gruntedverbUS /ˈɡrʌntɪd/
past form of “grunt” — issue a grunting, low, animal-like noise
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
hardadjectiveUS /hɑːrd/
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The naked earth, where it showed between the clumps of grass, was baked plaster hard.
hereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading It burned like hot slag, and except for a panting lizard here and there, or a dust-gray jack-rabbit, startled from its covert, nothing animate stirred upon its face.
hiddenadjectiveUS /ˈhɪdən/
not accessible to view
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
HighadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
HORDEnounUS /hɔːrd/
a vast multitude
From this reading Author of "THE SILVER HORDE" "THE SPOILERS" "THE IRON TRAIL" Etc.
hotadjectiveUS /hɑːt/
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading It burned like hot slag, and except for a panting lizard here and there, or a dust-gray jack-rabbit, startled from its covert, nothing animate stirred upon its face.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
inconsolably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
insectnounUS /ˈɪnsekt/
small air-breathing arthropod
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
IRONnounUS /ˈaɪərn/
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading Author of "THE SILVER HORDE" "THE SPOILERS" "THE IRON TRAIL" Etc.
issuedverbUS /ˈɪʃuːd/
past form of “issue” — prepare and issue for public distribution or sale
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The naked earth, where it showed between the clumps of grass, was baked plaster hard.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It burned like hot slag, and except for a panting lizard here and there, or a dust-gray jack-rabbit, startled from its covert, nothing animate stirred upon its face.
jack-rabbit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It burned like hot slag, and except for a panting lizard here and there, or a dust-gray jack-rabbit, startled from its covert, nothing animate stirred upon its face.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It burned like hot slag, and except for a panting lizard here and there, or a dust-gray jack-rabbit, startled from its covert, nothing animate stirred upon its face.
lizardnounUS /ˈlɪzərd/
relatively long-bodied reptile with usually two pairs of legs and a tapering tail
From this reading It burned like hot slag, and except for a panting lizard here and there, or a dust-gray jack-rabbit, startled from its covert, nothing animate stirred upon its face.
long-tailed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
mesquitenounUS /ˈmeskiːt/
any of several small spiny trees or shrubs of the genus Prosopis having small flowers in axillary cylindrical spikes followed by large pods rich in sugar
From this reading A fitful breeze played among the mesquite bushes.
metallicadjectiveUS /məˈtælɪk/
containing or made of or resembling or characteristic of a metal
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
MexicannounUS /ˈmeksəkən/
a native or inhabitant of Mexico
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
motionlessadjectiveUS /ˈmoʊʃənləs/
not in physical motion
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
mournedverbUS /mɔːrnd/
past form of “mourn” — feel sadness
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
nakedadjectiveUS /ˈneɪkəd/
completely unclothed
From this reading The naked earth, where it showed between the clumps of grass, was baked plaster hard.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading It burned like hot slag, and except for a panting lizard here and there, or a dust-gray jack-rabbit, startled from its covert, nothing animate stirred upon its face.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Author of "THE SILVER HORDE" "THE SPOILERS" "THE IRON TRAIL" Etc.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It burned like hot slag, and except for a panting lizard here and there, or a dust-gray jack-rabbit, startled from its covert, nothing animate stirred upon its face.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
pantingnounUS /ˈpæntɪŋ/
breathing heavily (as after exertion)
From this reading It burned like hot slag, and except for a panting lizard here and there, or a dust-gray jack-rabbit, startled from its covert, nothing animate stirred upon its face.
plasterverbUS /ˈplæstər/
apply a heavy coat to
From this reading The naked earth, where it showed between the clumps of grass, was baked plaster hard.
playedadjectiveUS /pleɪd/
(of games) engaged in
From this reading A fitful breeze played among the mesquite bushes.
poisedadjectiveUS /pɔɪzd/
marked by balance or equilibrium and readiness for action
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
rattledadjectiveUS /ˈrætəld/
thrown into a state of agitated confusion; (“rattled” is an informal term)
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
showedverbUS /ʃoʊd/
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The naked earth, where it showed between the clumps of grass, was baked plaster hard.
SILVERnounUS /ˈsɪlvər/
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading Author of "THE SILVER HORDE" "THE SPOILERS" "THE IRON TRAIL" Etc.
skynounUS /skaɪ/
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
slagnounUS /slæɡ/
the scum formed by oxidation at the surface of molten metals
From this reading It burned like hot slag, and except for a panting lizard here and there, or a dust-gray jack-rabbit, startled from its covert, nothing animate stirred upon its face.
snored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
sourcenounUS /sɔːrs/
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
SPOILERSnounUS /ˈspɔɪlərz/
plural of “spoiler” — a candidate with no chance of winning but who may draw enough votes to prevent one of the leading candidates from winning
From this reading Author of "THE SILVER HORDE" "THE SPOILERS" "THE IRON TRAIL" Etc.
startledadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtəld/
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading It burned like hot slag, and except for a panting lizard here and there, or a dust-gray jack-rabbit, startled from its covert, nothing animate stirred upon its face.
stirredadjectiveUS /stɜːrd/
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading It burned like hot slag, and except for a panting lizard here and there, or a dust-gray jack-rabbit, startled from its covert, nothing animate stirred upon its face.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Author of "THE SILVER HORDE" "THE SPOILERS" "THE IRON TRAIL" Etc.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading It burned like hot slag, and except for a panting lizard here and there, or a dust-gray jack-rabbit, startled from its covert, nothing animate stirred upon its face.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
thornyadjectiveUS /ˈθɔːrni/
bristling with perplexities
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
TRAILnounUS /treɪl/
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading Author of "THE SILVER HORDE" "THE SPOILERS" "THE IRON TRAIL" Etc.
unascertainableadjective
not able to be ascertained; resisting discovery
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It burned like hot slag, and except for a panting lizard here and there, or a dust-gray jack-rabbit, startled from its covert, nothing animate stirred upon its face.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The naked earth, where it showed between the clumps of grass, was baked plaster hard.
whenceadverbUS /wens/
an old word meaning “from where”
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading The naked earth, where it showed between the clumps of grass, was baked plaster hard.
whistledverbUS /ˈwɪsəld/
past form of “whistle” — make whistling sounds
From this reading High and motionless in the blinding sky a buzzard poised; long-tailed Mexican crows among the thorny branches creaked and whistled, choked and rattled, snored and grunted; a dove mourned inconsolably, and out of the air issued metallic insect cries--the direction whence they came as unascertainable as their source was hidden.
