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 His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
acting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
actual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
arrived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
blaze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, once out in the still dawn, he rode slowly.
CAME
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
cause
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
clear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
conditions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
consideration
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
dawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, once out in the still dawn, he rode slowly.
destiny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
detach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
grandfather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
headquarters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
HOME
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But, once out in the still dawn, he rode slowly.
irritating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
job
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
lure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
mortgaged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
noon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
Number
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
offering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, once out in the still dawn, he rode slowly.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, once out in the still dawn, he rode slowly.
outfit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
owner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
PACKARD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
Pert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
promises
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
Ranch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
ridden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
rode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, once out in the still dawn, he rode slowly.
searching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
skill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, once out in the still dawn, he rode slowly.
STEVE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But, once out in the still dawn, he rode slowly.
straightway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
tempting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
Ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
Terry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
trail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
vague
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
wonderednounUS /wondered/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
