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 small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
aloft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
apt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
argumentnounUS /ˈɑːrɡjəmənt/
a reason or example used to support an idea
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
attention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
attracts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
audible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
begin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
boatswain's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
camp-fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
conversation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
defeat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
depths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
dominates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
easily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
ends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
falsetto
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
flamenounUS /fleɪm/
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
force
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
forest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
gale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
goes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
half-querulous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
hen-hawk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
high-pitched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
insistent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
invariably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
letting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
listener
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
makes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
mount
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
northwest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
observationnounUS /ˈobservation/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
Old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
opposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
original
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
Phelps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
philosophical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
pipe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
piping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
pottering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
puts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
quality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
quavering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
rapids
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
rise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
rises
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
roar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
scream
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
seems
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
sentence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
shriek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
shrillest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
slow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
startles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
stumbling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
tempests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
trying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
twig
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
unsuspected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
voices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
whistlenounUS /ˈwhistle/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
wishes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
woods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
