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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 He caught a steamer bound for Washington, and paced the deck, while in the moonlight the dark shores of the James looked stationary.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Iss, his servant, soon fell so far behind that Graham paused and told him to come on more leisurely, that Mayburn would be at the terminus of the military railroad.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Iss, his servant, soon fell so far behind that Graham paused and told him to come on more leisurely, that Mayburn would be at the terminus of the military railroad.
beast
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From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Iss, his servant, soon fell so far behind that Graham paused and told him to come on more leisurely, that Mayburn would be at the terminus of the military railroad.
bound
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From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The steam-engine was driven to City Point with the reckless speed characteristic of military railroads; but to Graham the train seemed to crawl.
carrying
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From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
caught
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From this reading He caught a steamer bound for Washington, and paced the deck, while in the moonlight the dark shores of the James looked stationary.
chain
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From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
characteristic
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From this reading The steam-engine was driven to City Point with the reckless speed characteristic of military railroads; but to Graham the train seemed to crawl.
City
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From this reading The steam-engine was driven to City Point with the reckless speed characteristic of military railroads; but to Graham the train seemed to crawl.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Iss, his servant, soon fell so far behind that Graham paused and told him to come on more leisurely, that Mayburn would be at the terminus of the military railroad.
crawl
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From this reading The steam-engine was driven to City Point with the reckless speed characteristic of military railroads; but to Graham the train seemed to crawl.
dark
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From this reading He caught a steamer bound for Washington, and paced the deck, while in the moonlight the dark shores of the James looked stationary.
deck
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From this reading He caught a steamer bound for Washington, and paced the deck, while in the moonlight the dark shores of the James looked stationary.
driven
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From this reading The steam-engine was driven to City Point with the reckless speed characteristic of military railroads; but to Graham the train seemed to crawl.
drooping
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From this reading And there Iss found him, with drooping head and white with foam.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
fail
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From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
faithfulnounUS /ˈfaithful/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
far
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From this reading Iss, his servant, soon fell so far behind that Graham paused and told him to come on more leisurely, that Mayburn would be at the terminus of the military railroad.
fell
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From this reading Iss, his servant, soon fell so far behind that Graham paused and told him to come on more leisurely, that Mayburn would be at the terminus of the military railroad.
foam
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From this reading And there Iss found him, with drooping head and white with foam.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He caught a steamer bound for Washington, and paced the deck, while in the moonlight the dark shores of the James looked stationary.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And there Iss found him, with drooping head and white with foam.
Graham
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From this reading Iss, his servant, soon fell so far behind that Graham paused and told him to come on more leisurely, that Mayburn would be at the terminus of the military railroad.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He caught a steamer bound for Washington, and paced the deck, while in the moonlight the dark shores of the James looked stationary.
head
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From this reading And there Iss found him, with drooping head and white with foam.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
HISdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
horse
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From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
hour
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From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He caught a steamer bound for Washington, and paced the deck, while in the moonlight the dark shores of the James looked stationary.
inexorable
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From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
Iss
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From this reading Iss, his servant, soon fell so far behind that Graham paused and told him to come on more leisurely, that Mayburn would be at the terminus of the military railroad.
James
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From this reading He caught a steamer bound for Washington, and paced the deck, while in the moonlight the dark shores of the James looked stationary.
leisurely
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From this reading Iss, his servant, soon fell so far behind that Graham paused and told him to come on more leisurely, that Mayburn would be at the terminus of the military railroad.
like
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From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He caught a steamer bound for Washington, and paced the deck, while in the moonlight the dark shores of the James looked stationary.
Mayburn
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From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
military
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
moonlight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He caught a steamer bound for Washington, and paced the deck, while in the moonlight the dark shores of the James looked stationary.
more
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From this reading Iss, his servant, soon fell so far behind that Graham paused and told him to come on more leisurely, that Mayburn would be at the terminus of the military railroad.
NevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
noble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Iss, his servant, soon fell so far behind that Graham paused and told him to come on more leisurely, that Mayburn would be at the terminus of the military railroad.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Iss, his servant, soon fell so far behind that Graham paused and told him to come on more leisurely, that Mayburn would be at the terminus of the military railroad.
paced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He caught a steamer bound for Washington, and paced the deck, while in the moonlight the dark shores of the James looked stationary.
paused
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From this reading Iss, his servant, soon fell so far behind that Graham paused and told him to come on more leisurely, that Mayburn would be at the terminus of the military railroad.
PointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading The steam-engine was driven to City Point with the reckless speed characteristic of military railroads; but to Graham the train seemed to crawl.
railroad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Iss, his servant, soon fell so far behind that Graham paused and told him to come on more leisurely, that Mayburn would be at the terminus of the military railroad.
railroads
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From this reading The steam-engine was driven to City Point with the reckless speed characteristic of military railroads; but to Graham the train seemed to crawl.
reckless
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From this reading The steam-engine was driven to City Point with the reckless speed characteristic of military railroads; but to Graham the train seemed to crawl.
RIVALS
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From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
servant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Iss, his servant, soon fell so far behind that Graham paused and told him to come on more leisurely, that Mayburn would be at the terminus of the military railroad.
severedadjectiveUS /ˈsevərd/
cut completely into separate parts
From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
shores
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He caught a steamer bound for Washington, and paced the deck, while in the moonlight the dark shores of the James looked stationary.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
SOMBRE
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From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Iss, his servant, soon fell so far behind that Graham paused and told him to come on more leisurely, that Mayburn would be at the terminus of the military railroad.
speed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The steam-engine was driven to City Point with the reckless speed characteristic of military railroads; but to Graham the train seemed to crawl.
stationary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He caught a steamer bound for Washington, and paced the deck, while in the moonlight the dark shores of the James looked stationary.
steam-engine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The steam-engine was driven to City Point with the reckless speed characteristic of military railroads; but to Graham the train seemed to crawl.
steamer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He caught a steamer bound for Washington, and paced the deck, while in the moonlight the dark shores of the James looked stationary.
terminus
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From this reading Iss, his servant, soon fell so far behind that Graham paused and told him to come on more leisurely, that Mayburn would be at the terminus of the military railroad.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And there Iss found him, with drooping head and white with foam.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Iss, his servant, soon fell so far behind that Graham paused and told him to come on more leisurely, that Mayburn would be at the terminus of the military railroad.
train
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The steam-engine was driven to City Point with the reckless speed characteristic of military railroads; but to Graham the train seemed to crawl.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
Washington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He caught a steamer bound for Washington, and paced the deck, while in the moonlight the dark shores of the James looked stationary.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He caught a steamer bound for Washington, and paced the deck, while in the moonlight the dark shores of the James looked stationary.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And there Iss found him, with drooping head and white with foam.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading And there Iss found him, with drooping head and white with foam.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Iss, his servant, soon fell so far behind that Graham paused and told him to come on more leisurely, that Mayburn would be at the terminus of the military railroad.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading HIS SOMBRE RIVALS Never had his noble horse Mayburn seemed to fail him until the hour that severed the military chain which had so long bound him to inexorable duty, and yet the faithful beast was carrying him like the wind.
