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 There were plenty of footprints in the mud on the top of the cliff, and that was all that remained to tell of the thrilling incidents that had happened there but a short time before.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading In less than two hours after Mark reached home, three large canoes loaded with settlers swept down the bayou and landed at the bluffs above Dead Man’s Elbow.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading In less than two hours after Mark reached home, three large canoes loaded with settlers swept down the bayou and landed at the bluffs above Dead Man’s Elbow.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were plenty of footprints in the mud on the top of the cliff, and that was all that remained to tell of the thrilling incidents that had happened there but a short time before.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In less than two hours after Mark reached home, three large canoes loaded with settlers swept down the bayou and landed at the bluffs above Dead Man’s Elbow.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In less than two hours after Mark reached home, three large canoes loaded with settlers swept down the bayou and landed at the bluffs above Dead Man’s Elbow.
bayou
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In less than two hours after Mark reached home, three large canoes loaded with settlers swept down the bayou and landed at the bluffs above Dead Man’s Elbow.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The place was found to be deserted.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading There were plenty of footprints in the mud on the top of the cliff, and that was all that remained to tell of the thrilling incidents that had happened there but a short time before.
bluffadjectiveUS /blʌf/
direct and plain-spoken in manner, sometimes seeming rough
From this reading How he managed to escape from his perilous situation—whether he imitated Mark’s example, and swam over the falls, or the Swamp Dragoons succeeded in pulling him up the bluff—we had no means of judging.
bluffs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In less than two hours after Mark reached home, three large canoes loaded with settlers swept down the bayou and landed at the bluffs above Dead Man’s Elbow.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There were plenty of footprints in the mud on the top of the cliff, and that was all that remained to tell of the thrilling incidents that had happened there but a short time before.
canoes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In less than two hours after Mark reached home, three large canoes loaded with settlers swept down the bayou and landed at the bluffs above Dead Man’s Elbow.
cliff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were plenty of footprints in the mud on the top of the cliff, and that was all that remained to tell of the thrilling incidents that had happened there but a short time before.
DeadnounUS /dead/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In less than two hours after Mark reached home, three large canoes loaded with settlers swept down the bayou and landed at the bluffs above Dead Man’s Elbow.
desertedverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/
left a place or vessel without intending to return
From this reading The place was found to be deserted.
disappearednounUS /ˈdisappeared/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The skiff and the valise had disappeared, and the tree in which Luke Redman had taken refuge was empty.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In less than two hours after Mark reached home, three large canoes loaded with settlers swept down the bayou and landed at the bluffs above Dead Man’s Elbow.
Dragoons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How he managed to escape from his perilous situation—whether he imitated Mark’s example, and swam over the falls, or the Swamp Dragoons succeeded in pulling him up the bluff—we had no means of judging.
Elbow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In less than two hours after Mark reached home, three large canoes loaded with settlers swept down the bayou and landed at the bluffs above Dead Man’s Elbow.
empty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The skiff and the valise had disappeared, and the tree in which Luke Redman had taken refuge was empty.
escape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How he managed to escape from his perilous situation—whether he imitated Mark’s example, and swam over the falls, or the Swamp Dragoons succeeded in pulling him up the bluff—we had no means of judging.
example
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How he managed to escape from his perilous situation—whether he imitated Mark’s example, and swam over the falls, or the Swamp Dragoons succeeded in pulling him up the bluff—we had no means of judging.
falls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How he managed to escape from his perilous situation—whether he imitated Mark’s example, and swam over the falls, or the Swamp Dragoons succeeded in pulling him up the bluff—we had no means of judging.
footprints
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were plenty of footprints in the mud on the top of the cliff, and that was all that remained to tell of the thrilling incidents that had happened there but a short time before.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The place was found to be deserted.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading How he managed to escape from his perilous situation—whether he imitated Mark’s example, and swam over the falls, or the Swamp Dragoons succeeded in pulling him up the bluff—we had no means of judging.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There were plenty of footprints in the mud on the top of the cliff, and that was all that remained to tell of the thrilling incidents that had happened there but a short time before.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were plenty of footprints in the mud on the top of the cliff, and that was all that remained to tell of the thrilling incidents that had happened there but a short time before.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading How he managed to escape from his perilous situation—whether he imitated Mark’s example, and swam over the falls, or the Swamp Dragoons succeeded in pulling him up the bluff—we had no means of judging.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading How he managed to escape from his perilous situation—whether he imitated Mark’s example, and swam over the falls, or the Swamp Dragoons succeeded in pulling him up the bluff—we had no means of judging.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading How he managed to escape from his perilous situation—whether he imitated Mark’s example, and swam over the falls, or the Swamp Dragoons succeeded in pulling him up the bluff—we had no means of judging.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In less than two hours after Mark reached home, three large canoes loaded with settlers swept down the bayou and landed at the bluffs above Dead Man’s Elbow.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In less than two hours after Mark reached home, three large canoes loaded with settlers swept down the bayou and landed at the bluffs above Dead Man’s Elbow.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How he managed to escape from his perilous situation—whether he imitated Mark’s example, and swam over the falls, or the Swamp Dragoons succeeded in pulling him up the bluff—we had no means of judging.
imitated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How he managed to escape from his perilous situation—whether he imitated Mark’s example, and swam over the falls, or the Swamp Dragoons succeeded in pulling him up the bluff—we had no means of judging.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In less than two hours after Mark reached home, three large canoes loaded with settlers swept down the bayou and landed at the bluffs above Dead Man’s Elbow.
incidents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were plenty of footprints in the mud on the top of the cliff, and that was all that remained to tell of the thrilling incidents that had happened there but a short time before.
judging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How he managed to escape from his perilous situation—whether he imitated Mark’s example, and swam over the falls, or the Swamp Dragoons succeeded in pulling him up the bluff—we had no means of judging.
landed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In less than two hours after Mark reached home, three large canoes loaded with settlers swept down the bayou and landed at the bluffs above Dead Man’s Elbow.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In less than two hours after Mark reached home, three large canoes loaded with settlers swept down the bayou and landed at the bluffs above Dead Man’s Elbow.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In less than two hours after Mark reached home, three large canoes loaded with settlers swept down the bayou and landed at the bluffs above Dead Man’s Elbow.
loaded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In less than two hours after Mark reached home, three large canoes loaded with settlers swept down the bayou and landed at the bluffs above Dead Man’s Elbow.
Luke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The skiff and the valise had disappeared, and the tree in which Luke Redman had taken refuge was empty.
Man's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In less than two hours after Mark reached home, three large canoes loaded with settlers swept down the bayou and landed at the bluffs above Dead Man’s Elbow.
managed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How he managed to escape from his perilous situation—whether he imitated Mark’s example, and swam over the falls, or the Swamp Dragoons succeeded in pulling him up the bluff—we had no means of judging.
Mark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In less than two hours after Mark reached home, three large canoes loaded with settlers swept down the bayou and landed at the bluffs above Dead Man’s Elbow.
Mark's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How he managed to escape from his perilous situation—whether he imitated Mark’s example, and swam over the falls, or the Swamp Dragoons succeeded in pulling him up the bluff—we had no means of judging.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How he managed to escape from his perilous situation—whether he imitated Mark’s example, and swam over the falls, or the Swamp Dragoons succeeded in pulling him up the bluff—we had no means of judging.
mud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were plenty of footprints in the mud on the top of the cliff, and that was all that remained to tell of the thrilling incidents that had happened there but a short time before.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading How he managed to escape from his perilous situation—whether he imitated Mark’s example, and swam over the falls, or the Swamp Dragoons succeeded in pulling him up the bluff—we had no means of judging.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There were plenty of footprints in the mud on the top of the cliff, and that was all that remained to tell of the thrilling incidents that had happened there but a short time before.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There were plenty of footprints in the mud on the top of the cliff, and that was all that remained to tell of the thrilling incidents that had happened there but a short time before.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading How he managed to escape from his perilous situation—whether he imitated Mark’s example, and swam over the falls, or the Swamp Dragoons succeeded in pulling him up the bluff—we had no means of judging.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading How he managed to escape from his perilous situation—whether he imitated Mark’s example, and swam over the falls, or the Swamp Dragoons succeeded in pulling him up the bluff—we had no means of judging.
perilous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How he managed to escape from his perilous situation—whether he imitated Mark’s example, and swam over the falls, or the Swamp Dragoons succeeded in pulling him up the bluff—we had no means of judging.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The place was found to be deserted.
plenty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were plenty of footprints in the mud on the top of the cliff, and that was all that remained to tell of the thrilling incidents that had happened there but a short time before.
pulling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How he managed to escape from his perilous situation—whether he imitated Mark’s example, and swam over the falls, or the Swamp Dragoons succeeded in pulling him up the bluff—we had no means of judging.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In less than two hours after Mark reached home, three large canoes loaded with settlers swept down the bayou and landed at the bluffs above Dead Man’s Elbow.
Redman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The skiff and the valise had disappeared, and the tree in which Luke Redman had taken refuge was empty.
refuge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The skiff and the valise had disappeared, and the tree in which Luke Redman had taken refuge was empty.
remainednounUS /ˈremained/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading There were plenty of footprints in the mud on the top of the cliff, and that was all that remained to tell of the thrilling incidents that had happened there but a short time before.
settlers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In less than two hours after Mark reached home, three large canoes loaded with settlers swept down the bayou and landed at the bluffs above Dead Man’s Elbow.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading There were plenty of footprints in the mud on the top of the cliff, and that was all that remained to tell of the thrilling incidents that had happened there but a short time before.
situation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How he managed to escape from his perilous situation—whether he imitated Mark’s example, and swam over the falls, or the Swamp Dragoons succeeded in pulling him up the bluff—we had no means of judging.
skiff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The skiff and the valise had disappeared, and the tree in which Luke Redman had taken refuge was empty.
succeeded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How he managed to escape from his perilous situation—whether he imitated Mark’s example, and swam over the falls, or the Swamp Dragoons succeeded in pulling him up the bluff—we had no means of judging.
swam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How he managed to escape from his perilous situation—whether he imitated Mark’s example, and swam over the falls, or the Swamp Dragoons succeeded in pulling him up the bluff—we had no means of judging.
Swamp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How he managed to escape from his perilous situation—whether he imitated Mark’s example, and swam over the falls, or the Swamp Dragoons succeeded in pulling him up the bluff—we had no means of judging.
swept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In less than two hours after Mark reached home, three large canoes loaded with settlers swept down the bayou and landed at the bluffs above Dead Man’s Elbow.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The skiff and the valise had disappeared, and the tree in which Luke Redman had taken refuge was empty.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There were plenty of footprints in the mud on the top of the cliff, and that was all that remained to tell of the thrilling incidents that had happened there but a short time before.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading In less than two hours after Mark reached home, three large canoes loaded with settlers swept down the bayou and landed at the bluffs above Dead Man’s Elbow.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There were plenty of footprints in the mud on the top of the cliff, and that was all that remained to tell of the thrilling incidents that had happened there but a short time before.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In less than two hours after Mark reached home, three large canoes loaded with settlers swept down the bayou and landed at the bluffs above Dead Man’s Elbow.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were plenty of footprints in the mud on the top of the cliff, and that was all that remained to tell of the thrilling incidents that had happened there but a short time before.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In less than two hours after Mark reached home, three large canoes loaded with settlers swept down the bayou and landed at the bluffs above Dead Man’s Elbow.
thrilling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were plenty of footprints in the mud on the top of the cliff, and that was all that remained to tell of the thrilling incidents that had happened there but a short time before.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There were plenty of footprints in the mud on the top of the cliff, and that was all that remained to tell of the thrilling incidents that had happened there but a short time before.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The place was found to be deserted.
top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were plenty of footprints in the mud on the top of the cliff, and that was all that remained to tell of the thrilling incidents that had happened there but a short time before.
tree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The skiff and the valise had disappeared, and the tree in which Luke Redman had taken refuge was empty.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In less than two hours after Mark reached home, three large canoes loaded with settlers swept down the bayou and landed at the bluffs above Dead Man’s Elbow.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How he managed to escape from his perilous situation—whether he imitated Mark’s example, and swam over the falls, or the Swamp Dragoons succeeded in pulling him up the bluff—we had no means of judging.
valise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The skiff and the valise had disappeared, and the tree in which Luke Redman had taken refuge was empty.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The place was found to be deserted.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading How he managed to escape from his perilous situation—whether he imitated Mark’s example, and swam over the falls, or the Swamp Dragoons succeeded in pulling him up the bluff—we had no means of judging.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were plenty of footprints in the mud on the top of the cliff, and that was all that remained to tell of the thrilling incidents that had happened there but a short time before.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading How he managed to escape from his perilous situation—whether he imitated Mark’s example, and swam over the falls, or the Swamp Dragoons succeeded in pulling him up the bluff—we had no means of judging.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The skiff and the valise had disappeared, and the tree in which Luke Redman had taken refuge was empty.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading In less than two hours after Mark reached home, three large canoes loaded with settlers swept down the bayou and landed at the bluffs above Dead Man’s Elbow.