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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a fresh sheep trail in the canyon and it led away from the ranch.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of all the God-forsaken places in Arizona, the Dos S Ranch was the worst.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
Arizona
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of all the God-forsaken places in Arizona, the Dos S Ranch was the worst.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a fresh sheep trail in the canyon and it led away from the ranch.
BAD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
bare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The earth lay bare and desolate before it; the woodpile had disappeared; the bucket was thrown down the well.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The earth lay bare and desolate before it; the woodpile had disappeared; the bucket was thrown down the well.
BLOODnounUS /blood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
Bronco
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
bucket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The earth lay bare and desolate before it; the woodpile had disappeared; the bucket was thrown down the well.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.
canyon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a fresh sheep trail in the canyon and it led away from the ranch.
changed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
Creede
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
desolate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The earth lay bare and desolate before it; the woodpile had disappeared; the bucket was thrown down the well.
devil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
disappearednounUS /ˈdisappeared/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The earth lay bare and desolate before it; the woodpile had disappeared; the bucket was thrown down the well.
Dos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of all the God-forsaken places in Arizona, the Dos S Ranch was the worst.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
drifting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
earth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The earth lay bare and desolate before it; the woodpile had disappeared; the bucket was thrown down the well.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.
fresh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a fresh sheep trail in the canyon and it led away from the ranch.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
God-forsaken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of all the God-forsaken places in Arizona, the Dos S Ranch was the worst.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The earth lay bare and desolate before it; the woodpile had disappeared; the bucket was thrown down the well.
hardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
hat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
Hidden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
horse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was a fresh sheep trail in the canyon and it led away from the ranch.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There was a fresh sheep trail in the canyon and it led away from the ranch.
laughing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The earth lay bare and desolate before it; the woodpile had disappeared; the bucket was thrown down the well.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a fresh sheep trail in the canyon and it led away from the ranch.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.
Mesa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
places
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of all the God-forsaken places in Arizona, the Dos S Ranch was the worst.
ranch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a fresh sheep trail in the canyon and it led away from the ranch.
run
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of all the God-forsaken places in Arizona, the Dos S Ranch was the worst.
sheep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.
spurred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.
stay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
swore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a fresh sheep trail in the canyon and it led away from the ranch.
threw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.
thrown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The earth lay bare and desolate before it; the woodpile had disappeared; the bucket was thrown down the well.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
tracks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.
trail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a fresh sheep trail in the canyon and it led away from the ranch.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
Water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The earth lay bare and desolate before it; the woodpile had disappeared; the bucket was thrown down the well.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.
woodpile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The earth lay bare and desolate before it; the woodpile had disappeared; the bucket was thrown down the well.
worst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of all the God-forsaken places in Arizona, the Dos S Ranch was the worst.