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 It appeared that Big Tom was a thriving man in the matter of family.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
alarm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
appeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It appeared that Big Tom was a thriving man in the matter of family.
approached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
Big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It appeared that Big Tom was a thriving man in the matter of family.
boys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More boys appeared.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Only one was married, but four had “got their time.”
cattle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
chores
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
contention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
conversation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
corn-patch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/
two people or things considered together
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
cows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
deal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
direction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
disappearednounUS /ˈdisappeared/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It appeared that Big Tom was a thriving man in the matter of family.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only one was married, but four had “got their time.”
gentle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only one was married, but four had “got their time.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Only one was married, but four had “got their time.”
hadn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
hunt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It appeared that Big Tom was a thriving man in the matter of family.
intelligent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It appeared that Big Tom was a thriving man in the matter of family.
leading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
lively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
loud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It appeared that Big Tom was a thriving man in the matter of family.
married
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only one was married, but four had “got their time.”
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It appeared that Big Tom was a thriving man in the matter of family.
midst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
More
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More boys appeared.
mule
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It appeared that Big Tom was a thriving man in the matter of family.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Only one was married, but four had “got their time.”
Only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only one was married, but four had “got their time.”
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
road
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
run
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
share
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
showing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
started
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
steers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
stock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It appeared that Big Tom was a thriving man in the matter of family.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It appeared that Big Tom was a thriving man in the matter of family.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Only one was married, but four had “got their time.”
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
thriving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It appeared that Big Tom was a thriving man in the matter of family.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Only one was married, but four had “got their time.”
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
Tom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It appeared that Big Tom was a thriving man in the matter of family.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It appeared that Big Tom was a thriving man in the matter of family.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
willingness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
Wilson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As night approached, and no Wilson, there was a good deal of lively and loud conversation about the stock and the chores, in all of which the girl took a leading and intelligent part, showing a willingness to do her share, but not to have all the work put upon her.
yesterday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was time to go down the road and hunt up the cows; the mule had disappeared and must be found before dark; a couple of steers hadn't turned up since the day before yesterday, and in the midst of the gentle contention as to whose business all this was, there was an alarm of cattle in the corn-patch, and the girl started off on a run in that direction.
