Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Several times he tiptoed into the kitchen, opened the door into the front room an inch or so, and peered in at her.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For more than two hours Kent sat outside in the shade of the house, and stared out over the black desolation of the coulee.
anywhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His horse was gone, so that he could not ride anywhere--and there was nowhere in particular to ride.
arm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The third time, she had relaxed from the corpselike position, and had thrown an arm up over her face, as if she were shielding her eyes from something.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading For twenty miles around there was no woman whom he could bring to Val's assistance, even if he had been sure that she needed assistance.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The third time, she had relaxed from the corpselike position, and had thrown an arm up over her face, as if she were shielding her eyes from something.
assistance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For twenty miles around there was no woman whom he could bring to Val's assistance, even if he had been sure that she needed assistance.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Several times he tiptoed into the kitchen, opened the door into the front room an inch or so, and peered in at her.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For twenty miles around there was no woman whom he could bring to Val's assistance, even if he had been sure that she needed assistance.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For more than two hours Kent sat outside in the shade of the house, and stared out over the black desolation of the coulee.
bring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For twenty miles around there was no woman whom he could bring to Val's assistance, even if he had been sure that she needed assistance.
corpselike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The third time, she had relaxed from the corpselike position, and had thrown an arm up over her face, as if she were shielding her eyes from something.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading His horse was gone, so that he could not ride anywhere--and there was nowhere in particular to ride.
coulee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For more than two hours Kent sat outside in the shade of the house, and stared out over the black desolation of the coulee.
desolation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For more than two hours Kent sat outside in the shade of the house, and stared out over the black desolation of the coulee.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several times he tiptoed into the kitchen, opened the door into the front room an inch or so, and peered in at her.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For twenty miles around there was no woman whom he could bring to Val's assistance, even if he had been sure that she needed assistance.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The third time, she had relaxed from the corpselike position, and had thrown an arm up over her face, as if she were shielding her eyes from something.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The third time, she had relaxed from the corpselike position, and had thrown an arm up over her face, as if she were shielding her eyes from something.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For more than two hours Kent sat outside in the shade of the house, and stared out over the black desolation of the coulee.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The third time, she had relaxed from the corpselike position, and had thrown an arm up over her face, as if she were shielding her eyes from something.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several times he tiptoed into the kitchen, opened the door into the front room an inch or so, and peered in at her.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His horse was gone, so that he could not ride anywhere--and there was nowhere in particular to ride.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For twenty miles around there was no woman whom he could bring to Val's assistance, even if he had been sure that she needed assistance.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His horse was gone, so that he could not ride anywhere--and there was nowhere in particular to ride.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Several times he tiptoed into the kitchen, opened the door into the front room an inch or so, and peered in at her.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His horse was gone, so that he could not ride anywhere--and there was nowhere in particular to ride.
horse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His horse was gone, so that he could not ride anywhere--and there was nowhere in particular to ride.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For more than two hours Kent sat outside in the shade of the house, and stared out over the black desolation of the coulee.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For more than two hours Kent sat outside in the shade of the house, and stared out over the black desolation of the coulee.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading For twenty miles around there was no woman whom he could bring to Val's assistance, even if he had been sure that she needed assistance.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For more than two hours Kent sat outside in the shade of the house, and stared out over the black desolation of the coulee.
inch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several times he tiptoed into the kitchen, opened the door into the front room an inch or so, and peered in at her.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Several times he tiptoed into the kitchen, opened the door into the front room an inch or so, and peered in at her.
Kent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For more than two hours Kent sat outside in the shade of the house, and stared out over the black desolation of the coulee.
kitchen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several times he tiptoed into the kitchen, opened the door into the front room an inch or so, and peered in at her.
miles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For twenty miles around there was no woman whom he could bring to Val's assistance, even if he had been sure that she needed assistance.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For more than two hours Kent sat outside in the shade of the house, and stared out over the black desolation of the coulee.
needed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For twenty miles around there was no woman whom he could bring to Val's assistance, even if he had been sure that she needed assistance.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading For twenty miles around there was no woman whom he could bring to Val's assistance, even if he had been sure that she needed assistance.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His horse was gone, so that he could not ride anywhere--and there was nowhere in particular to ride.
nowhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His horse was gone, so that he could not ride anywhere--and there was nowhere in particular to ride.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For more than two hours Kent sat outside in the shade of the house, and stared out over the black desolation of the coulee.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several times he tiptoed into the kitchen, opened the door into the front room an inch or so, and peered in at her.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Several times he tiptoed into the kitchen, opened the door into the front room an inch or so, and peered in at her.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For more than two hours Kent sat outside in the shade of the house, and stared out over the black desolation of the coulee.
outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading For more than two hours Kent sat outside in the shade of the house, and stared out over the black desolation of the coulee.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading For more than two hours Kent sat outside in the shade of the house, and stared out over the black desolation of the coulee.
particular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His horse was gone, so that he could not ride anywhere--and there was nowhere in particular to ride.
peered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several times he tiptoed into the kitchen, opened the door into the front room an inch or so, and peered in at her.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The third time, she had relaxed from the corpselike position, and had thrown an arm up over her face, as if she were shielding her eyes from something.
relaxed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The third time, she had relaxed from the corpselike position, and had thrown an arm up over her face, as if she were shielding her eyes from something.
ride
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His horse was gone, so that he could not ride anywhere--and there was nowhere in particular to ride.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several times he tiptoed into the kitchen, opened the door into the front room an inch or so, and peered in at her.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For more than two hours Kent sat outside in the shade of the house, and stared out over the black desolation of the coulee.
Several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several times he tiptoed into the kitchen, opened the door into the front room an inch or so, and peered in at her.
shade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For more than two hours Kent sat outside in the shade of the house, and stared out over the black desolation of the coulee.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For twenty miles around there was no woman whom he could bring to Val's assistance, even if he had been sure that she needed assistance.
shielding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The third time, she had relaxed from the corpselike position, and had thrown an arm up over her face, as if she were shielding her eyes from something.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading His horse was gone, so that he could not ride anywhere--and there was nowhere in particular to ride.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The third time, she had relaxed from the corpselike position, and had thrown an arm up over her face, as if she were shielding her eyes from something.
stared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For more than two hours Kent sat outside in the shade of the house, and stared out over the black desolation of the coulee.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For twenty miles around there was no woman whom he could bring to Val's assistance, even if he had been sure that she needed assistance.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading For more than two hours Kent sat outside in the shade of the house, and stared out over the black desolation of the coulee.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His horse was gone, so that he could not ride anywhere--and there was nowhere in particular to ride.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For more than two hours Kent sat outside in the shade of the house, and stared out over the black desolation of the coulee.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His horse was gone, so that he could not ride anywhere--and there was nowhere in particular to ride.
thirdnounUS /third/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The third time, she had relaxed from the corpselike position, and had thrown an arm up over her face, as if she were shielding her eyes from something.
thrown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The third time, she had relaxed from the corpselike position, and had thrown an arm up over her face, as if she were shielding her eyes from something.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The third time, she had relaxed from the corpselike position, and had thrown an arm up over her face, as if she were shielding her eyes from something.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several times he tiptoed into the kitchen, opened the door into the front room an inch or so, and peered in at her.
tiptoed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several times he tiptoed into the kitchen, opened the door into the front room an inch or so, and peered in at her.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His horse was gone, so that he could not ride anywhere--and there was nowhere in particular to ride.
twenty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For twenty miles around there was no woman whom he could bring to Val's assistance, even if he had been sure that she needed assistance.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For more than two hours Kent sat outside in the shade of the house, and stared out over the black desolation of the coulee.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The third time, she had relaxed from the corpselike position, and had thrown an arm up over her face, as if she were shielding her eyes from something.
Val's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For twenty miles around there was no woman whom he could bring to Val's assistance, even if he had been sure that she needed assistance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His horse was gone, so that he could not ride anywhere--and there was nowhere in particular to ride.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The third time, she had relaxed from the corpselike position, and had thrown an arm up over her face, as if she were shielding her eyes from something.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading For twenty miles around there was no woman whom he could bring to Val's assistance, even if he had been sure that she needed assistance.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For twenty miles around there was no woman whom he could bring to Val's assistance, even if he had been sure that she needed assistance.
