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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 The tree was a sapling then, and himself a mere boy.
AcrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Across the fields and on a shady hillside, there were white headstones gleaming in the fading sunlight.
ago
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
anxiously
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From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tree was a sapling then, and himself a mere boy.
branches
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From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
bright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
broad
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From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
building
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could count them all from where he sat,—could tell which was his mother’s, which his father’s, and which his fair-haired sister’s.
count
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could count them all from where he sat,—could tell which was his mother’s, which his father’s, and which his fair-haired sister’s.
day
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From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
Deacon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
doorstep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
down
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From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
fading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across the fields and on a shady hillside, there were white headstones gleaming in the fading sunlight.
fair-haired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could count them all from where he sat,—could tell which was his mother’s, which his father’s, and which his fair-haired sister’s.
father's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could count them all from where he sat,—could tell which was his mother’s, which his father’s, and which his fair-haired sister’s.
fields
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across the fields and on a shady hillside, there were white headstones gleaming in the fading sunlight.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
future
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
gable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
gleaming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across the fields and on a shady hillside, there were white headstones gleaming in the fading sunlight.
glorious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
gray-haired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
growth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
headstones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across the fields and on a shady hillside, there were white headstones gleaming in the fading sunlight.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
hills
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
hillside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across the fields and on a shady hillside, there were white headstones gleaming in the fading sunlight.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The tree was a sapling then, and himself a mere boy.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
huge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
indications
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
maple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
Marshall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
mere
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From this reading The tree was a sapling then, and himself a mere boy.
mighty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
mother's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
near
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From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
October
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
Old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
older
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
planted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
roof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
sapling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tree was a sapling then, and himself a mere boy.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
scarcely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
secured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
shady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across the fields and on a shady hillside, there were white headstones gleaming in the fading sunlight.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
sister's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could count them all from where he sat,—could tell which was his mother’s, which his father’s, and which his fair-haired sister’s.
sitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
smokingnounUS /ˈsmoking/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
sunlight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across the fields and on a shady hillside, there were white headstones gleaming in the fading sunlight.
sunset
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
swept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He could count them all from where he sat,—could tell which was his mother’s, which his father’s, and which his fair-haired sister’s.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He could count them all from where he sat,—could tell which was his mother’s, which his father’s, and which his fair-haired sister’s.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tree was a sapling then, and himself a mere boy.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
time-worn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
tree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
twig
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
watching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Across the fields and on a shady hillside, there were white headstones gleaming in the fading sunlight.
western
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading He could count them all from where he sat,—could tell which was his mother’s, which his father’s, and which his fair-haired sister’s.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across the fields and on a shady hillside, there were white headstones gleaming in the fading sunlight.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
woods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.
