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 The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading It was tearing straight across the high ground between Dry Creek and Cold Spring Coulee when he first saw it plainly, and he altered his course a trifle.
aimlessly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
also
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He galloped to higher ground, and, trained by long watching of the prairie to detect the smoke of a nearer fire in the haze of those long distant, saw at once what must have happened, and knew also the danger.
altered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was tearing straight across the high ground between Dry Creek and Cold Spring Coulee when he first saw it plainly, and he altered his course a trifle.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
bar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading It was tearing straight across the high ground between Dry Creek and Cold Spring Coulee when he first saw it plainly, and he altered his course a trifle.
blaze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His horse was fresh, and he raced him over the uneven prairie toward the blaze.
burned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
burning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He galloped to higher ground, and, trained by long watching of the prairie to detect the smoke of a nearer fire in the haze of those long distant, saw at once what must have happened, and knew also the danger.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
Cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was tearing straight across the high ground between Dry Creek and Cold Spring Coulee when he first saw it plainly, and he altered his course a trifle.
continuous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
Coulee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was tearing straight across the high ground between Dry Creek and Cold Spring Coulee when he first saw it plainly, and he altered his course a trifle.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was tearing straight across the high ground between Dry Creek and Cold Spring Coulee when he first saw it plainly, and he altered his course a trifle.
cracklings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
Creek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was tearing straight across the high ground between Dry Creek and Cold Spring Coulee when he first saw it plainly, and he altered his course a trifle.
danger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He galloped to higher ground, and, trained by long watching of the prairie to detect the smoke of a nearer fire in the haze of those long distant, saw at once what must have happened, and knew also the danger.
detect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He galloped to higher ground, and, trained by long watching of the prairie to detect the smoke of a nearer fire in the haze of those long distant, saw at once what must have happened, and knew also the danger.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
not friendly or close
From this reading He galloped to higher ground, and, trained by long watching of the prairie to detect the smoke of a nearer fire in the haze of those long distant, saw at once what must have happened, and knew also the danger.
Dry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was tearing straight across the high ground between Dry Creek and Cold Spring Coulee when he first saw it plainly, and he altered his course a trifle.
exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
faintly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
flamenounUS /fleɪm/
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
fresh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His horse was fresh, and he raced him over the uneven prairie toward the blaze.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
galloped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He galloped to higher ground, and, trained by long watching of the prairie to detect the smoke of a nearer fire in the haze of those long distant, saw at once what must have happened, and knew also the danger.
grass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He galloped to higher ground, and, trained by long watching of the prairie to detect the smoke of a nearer fire in the haze of those long distant, saw at once what must have happened, and knew also the danger.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
half-hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He galloped to higher ground, and, trained by long watching of the prairie to detect the smoke of a nearer fire in the haze of those long distant, saw at once what must have happened, and knew also the danger.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He galloped to higher ground, and, trained by long watching of the prairie to detect the smoke of a nearer fire in the haze of those long distant, saw at once what must have happened, and knew also the danger.
haze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He galloped to higher ground, and, trained by long watching of the prairie to detect the smoke of a nearer fire in the haze of those long distant, saw at once what must have happened, and knew also the danger.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He galloped to higher ground, and, trained by long watching of the prairie to detect the smoke of a nearer fire in the haze of those long distant, saw at once what must have happened, and knew also the danger.
heavily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was tearing straight across the high ground between Dry Creek and Cold Spring Coulee when he first saw it plainly, and he altered his course a trifle.
higher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He galloped to higher ground, and, trained by long watching of the prairie to detect the smoke of a nearer fire in the haze of those long distant, saw at once what must have happened, and knew also the danger.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His horse was fresh, and he raced him over the uneven prairie toward the blaze.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His horse was fresh, and he raced him over the uneven prairie toward the blaze.
horse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His horse was fresh, and he raced him over the uneven prairie toward the blaze.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He galloped to higher ground, and, trained by long watching of the prairie to detect the smoke of a nearer fire in the haze of those long distant, saw at once what must have happened, and knew also the danger.
instinctively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was tearing straight across the high ground between Dry Creek and Cold Spring Coulee when he first saw it plainly, and he altered his course a trifle.
jogging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
Kent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He galloped to higher ground, and, trained by long watching of the prairie to detect the smoke of a nearer fire in the haze of those long distant, saw at once what must have happened, and knew also the danger.
lazy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
log
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He galloped to higher ground, and, trained by long watching of the prairie to detect the smoke of a nearer fire in the haze of those long distant, saw at once what must have happened, and knew also the danger.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He galloped to higher ground, and, trained by long watching of the prairie to detect the smoke of a nearer fire in the haze of those long distant, saw at once what must have happened, and knew also the danger.
nearer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He galloped to higher ground, and, trained by long watching of the prairie to detect the smoke of a nearer fire in the haze of those long distant, saw at once what must have happened, and knew also the danger.
notion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He galloped to higher ground, and, trained by long watching of the prairie to detect the smoke of a nearer fire in the haze of those long distant, saw at once what must have happened, and knew also the danger.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading His horse was fresh, and he raced him over the uneven prairie toward the blaze.
plainlynounUS /ˈplainly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was tearing straight across the high ground between Dry Creek and Cold Spring Coulee when he first saw it plainly, and he altered his course a trifle.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
pounding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
prairie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He galloped to higher ground, and, trained by long watching of the prairie to detect the smoke of a nearer fire in the haze of those long distant, saw at once what must have happened, and knew also the danger.
raced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His horse was fresh, and he raced him over the uneven prairie toward the blaze.
ranch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
returning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
ridge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
riding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
roar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
sand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He galloped to higher ground, and, trained by long watching of the prairie to detect the smoke of a nearer fire in the haze of those long distant, saw at once what must have happened, and knew also the danger.
sharp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
smelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
smoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He galloped to higher ground, and, trained by long watching of the prairie to detect the smoke of a nearer fire in the haze of those long distant, saw at once what must have happened, and knew also the danger.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
Spring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was tearing straight across the high ground between Dry Creek and Cold Spring Coulee when he first saw it plainly, and he altered his course a trifle.
sputterings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
storm-beaten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
straight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was tearing straight across the high ground between Dry Creek and Cold Spring Coulee when he first saw it plainly, and he altered his course a trifle.
stronger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
surf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
swung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
taking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
tang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
tearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was tearing straight across the high ground between Dry Creek and Cold Spring Coulee when he first saw it plainly, and he altered his course a trifle.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He galloped to higher ground, and, trained by long watching of the prairie to detect the smoke of a nearer fire in the haze of those long distant, saw at once what must have happened, and knew also the danger.
tide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
trained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He galloped to higher ground, and, trained by long watching of the prairie to detect the smoke of a nearer fire in the haze of those long distant, saw at once what must have happened, and knew also the danger.
triflenounUS /ˈtraɪfəl/
something that needs very little effort
From this reading It was tearing straight across the high ground between Dry Creek and Cold Spring Coulee when he first saw it plainly, and he altered his course a trifle.
uneven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His horse was fresh, and he raced him over the uneven prairie toward the blaze.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
visualize
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The roar of it came faintly on the wind, like the sound of storm-beaten surf pounding heavily upon a sand bar when the tide is out, except that this roar was continuous, and was full of sharp cracklings and sputterings; and there was also the red line of flame to visualize the sound.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His horse was fresh, and he raced him over the uneven prairie toward the blaze.
watching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He galloped to higher ground, and, trained by long watching of the prairie to detect the smoke of a nearer fire in the haze of those long distant, saw at once what must have happened, and knew also the danger.
west
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He galloped to higher ground, and, trained by long watching of the prairie to detect the smoke of a nearer fire in the haze of those long distant, saw at once what must have happened, and knew also the danger.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The fire had been burning a possible half-hour when Kent, jogging aimlessly toward a log ridge with the lazy notion of riding to the top and taking a look at the country to the west before returning to the ranch, first smelled the stronger tang of burned grass and swung instinctively into the wind.
