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 first question in his mind was whether he had best make a stand on the shore, or in the thicket, and the latter course was decided upon.
accident
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
ANdeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The first question in his mind was whether he had best make a stand on the shore, or in the thicket, and the latter course was decided upon.
arrange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sam was not more than two boat lengths from the island when he started, and there would be several moments in which to arrange for a defense before the man could land.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
ATTACK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sam must have come to the conclusion that those who hit him last night were not officers of the law, for he went back to the island, and now is heading straight for this place."
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Sam was not more than two boat lengths from the island when he started, and there would be several moments in which to arrange for a defense before the man could land.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Sam was not more than two boat lengths from the island when he started, and there would be several moments in which to arrange for a defense before the man could land.
believed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first question in his mind was whether he had best make a stand on the shore, or in the thicket, and the latter course was decided upon.
boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sam was not more than two boat lengths from the island when he started, and there would be several moments in which to arrange for a defense before the man could land.
burst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim was overhauling the cooked provisions preparatory to feeding the prisoners when his comrade burst into the encampment looking quite as excited as he felt.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
caused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
cedars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Sam must have come to the conclusion that those who hit him last night were not officers of the law, for he went back to the island, and now is heading straight for this place."
comrade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim was overhauling the cooked provisions preparatory to feeding the prisoners when his comrade burst into the encampment looking quite as excited as he felt.
conclusion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sam must have come to the conclusion that those who hit him last night were not officers of the law, for he went back to the island, and now is heading straight for this place."
cooked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim was overhauling the cooked provisions preparatory to feeding the prisoners when his comrade burst into the encampment looking quite as excited as he felt.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The first question in his mind was whether he had best make a stand on the shore, or in the thicket, and the latter course was decided upon.
decided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first question in his mind was whether he had best make a stand on the shore, or in the thicket, and the latter course was decided upon.
defense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sam was not more than two boat lengths from the island when he started, and there would be several moments in which to arrange for a defense before the man could land.
encamped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
encampment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim was overhauling the cooked provisions preparatory to feeding the prisoners when his comrade burst into the encampment looking quite as excited as he felt.
excitedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪd/
very enthusiastic or eager
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
feeding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim was overhauling the cooked provisions preparatory to feeding the prisoners when his comrade burst into the encampment looking quite as excited as he felt.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim was overhauling the cooked provisions preparatory to feeding the prisoners when his comrade burst into the encampment looking quite as excited as he felt.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The first question in his mind was whether he had best make a stand on the shore, or in the thicket, and the latter course was decided upon.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Sam was not more than two boat lengths from the island when he started, and there would be several moments in which to arrange for a defense before the man could land.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The first question in his mind was whether he had best make a stand on the shore, or in the thicket, and the latter course was decided upon.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
heading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sam must have come to the conclusion that those who hit him last night were not officers of the law, for he went back to the island, and now is heading straight for this place."
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Sam must have come to the conclusion that those who hit him last night were not officers of the law, for he went back to the island, and now is heading straight for this place."
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The first question in his mind was whether he had best make a stand on the shore, or in the thicket, and the latter course was decided upon.
hit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sam must have come to the conclusion that those who hit him last night were not officers of the law, for he went back to the island, and now is heading straight for this place."
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Jim was overhauling the cooked provisions preparatory to feeding the prisoners when his comrade burst into the encampment looking quite as excited as he felt.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Sam must have come to the conclusion that those who hit him last night were not officers of the law, for he went back to the island, and now is heading straight for this place."
island
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sam was not more than two boat lengths from the island when he started, and there would be several moments in which to arrange for a defense before the man could land.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
Jet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim was overhauling the cooked provisions preparatory to feeding the prisoners when his comrade burst into the encampment looking quite as excited as he felt.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
land
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sam was not more than two boat lengths from the island when he started, and there would be several moments in which to arrange for a defense before the man could land.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Sam must have come to the conclusion that those who hit him last night were not officers of the law, for he went back to the island, and now is heading straight for this place."
latter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first question in his mind was whether he had best make a stand on the shore, or in the thicket, and the latter course was decided upon.
law
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sam must have come to the conclusion that those who hit him last night were not officers of the law, for he went back to the island, and now is heading straight for this place."
lengths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sam was not more than two boat lengths from the island when he started, and there would be several moments in which to arrange for a defense before the man could land.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim was overhauling the cooked provisions preparatory to feeding the prisoners when his comrade burst into the encampment looking quite as excited as he felt.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The first question in his mind was whether he had best make a stand on the shore, or in the thicket, and the latter course was decided upon.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The first question in his mind was whether he had best make a stand on the shore, or in the thicket, and the latter course was decided upon.
moments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sam was not more than two boat lengths from the island when he started, and there would be several moments in which to arrange for a defense before the man could land.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sam was not more than two boat lengths from the island when he started, and there would be several moments in which to arrange for a defense before the man could land.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "Sam must have come to the conclusion that those who hit him last night were not officers of the law, for he went back to the island, and now is heading straight for this place."
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sam must have come to the conclusion that those who hit him last night were not officers of the law, for he went back to the island, and now is heading straight for this place."
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sam must have come to the conclusion that those who hit him last night were not officers of the law, for he went back to the island, and now is heading straight for this place."
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Sam must have come to the conclusion that those who hit him last night were not officers of the law, for he went back to the island, and now is heading straight for this place."
officers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sam must have come to the conclusion that those who hit him last night were not officers of the law, for he went back to the island, and now is heading straight for this place."
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The first question in his mind was whether he had best make a stand on the shore, or in the thicket, and the latter course was decided upon.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The first question in his mind was whether he had best make a stand on the shore, or in the thicket, and the latter course was decided upon.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
overhauling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim was overhauling the cooked provisions preparatory to feeding the prisoners when his comrade burst into the encampment looking quite as excited as he felt.
particular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sam must have come to the conclusion that those who hit him last night were not officers of the law, for he went back to the island, and now is heading straight for this place."
preparatory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim was overhauling the cooked provisions preparatory to feeding the prisoners when his comrade burst into the encampment looking quite as excited as he felt.
prisoners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim was overhauling the cooked provisions preparatory to feeding the prisoners when his comrade burst into the encampment looking quite as excited as he felt.
provisions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim was overhauling the cooked provisions preparatory to feeding the prisoners when his comrade burst into the encampment looking quite as excited as he felt.
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The first question in his mind was whether he had best make a stand on the shore, or in the thicket, and the latter course was decided upon.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Jim was overhauling the cooked provisions preparatory to feeding the prisoners when his comrade burst into the encampment looking quite as excited as he felt.
Sam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sam was not more than two boat lengths from the island when he started, and there would be several moments in which to arrange for a defense before the man could land.
shore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first question in his mind was whether he had best make a stand on the shore, or in the thicket, and the latter course was decided upon.
spot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
stand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first question in his mind was whether he had best make a stand on the shore, or in the thicket, and the latter course was decided upon.
started
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sam was not more than two boat lengths from the island when he started, and there would be several moments in which to arrange for a defense before the man could land.
straight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sam must have come to the conclusion that those who hit him last night were not officers of the law, for he went back to the island, and now is heading straight for this place."
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Sam must have come to the conclusion that those who hit him last night were not officers of the law, for he went back to the island, and now is heading straight for this place."
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sam was not more than two boat lengths from the island when he started, and there would be several moments in which to arrange for a defense before the man could land.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
thicketnounUS /ˈθɪkɪt/
a dense group of bushes or small trees
From this reading The first question in his mind was whether he had best make a stand on the shore, or in the thicket, and the latter course was decided upon.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading "Sam must have come to the conclusion that those who hit him last night were not officers of the law, for he went back to the island, and now is heading straight for this place."
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sam was not more than two boat lengths from the island when he started, and there would be several moments in which to arrange for a defense before the man could land.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The first question in his mind was whether he had best make a stand on the shore, or in the thicket, and the latter course was decided upon.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Sam must have come to the conclusion that those who hit him last night were not officers of the law, for he went back to the island, and now is heading straight for this place."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Sam was not more than two boat lengths from the island when he started, and there would be several moments in which to arrange for a defense before the man could land.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading The first question in his mind was whether he had best make a stand on the shore, or in the thicket, and the latter course was decided upon.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading AN ATTACK It could not have been other than an accident which caused Sam to head for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man knew they were encamped in the cedars.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading "Sam must have come to the conclusion that those who hit him last night were not officers of the law, for he went back to the island, and now is heading straight for this place."
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Sam was not more than two boat lengths from the island when he started, and there would be several moments in which to arrange for a defense before the man could land.
