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Penrod and Sam
Penrod and Sam

Chapter XII · Gipsy

Cover illustration for Penrod and Sam
Context Illustration Reading 1/17 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.
This indiscretion, so uncharacteristic, was due to the agitation of a surprised moment, for Duke's experience had inclined him to a peaceful pessimism, and he had no ambition for hazardous undertakings of any sort.
He was given to musing but not to avoidable action, and he seemed habitually to hope for something that he was pretty sure would not happen.
Even in his sleep, this gave him an air of wistfulness.
Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Penrod and Sam

Chapter XII · Gipsy

Reading 1/17 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.
Line 2
This indiscretion, so uncharacteristic, was due to the agitation of a surprised moment, for Duke's experience had inclined him to a peaceful pessimism, and he had no ambition for hazardous undertakings of any sort.
Line 3
He was given to musing but not to avoidable action, and he seemed habitually to hope for something that he was pretty sure would not happen.
Line 4
Even in his sleep, this gave him an air of wistfulness.
Line 5
Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Afternoon noun US /ˈafternoon/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.”

Appearance noun US /ˈappearance/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Even in his sleep, this gave him an air of wistfulness.”

Fair noun US /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.”

Foot noun US /foot/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.”

Returned noun US /ˈreturned/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was given to musing but not to avoidable action, and he seemed habitually to hope for something that he was pretty sure would not happen.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “He was given to musing but not to avoidable action, and he seemed habitually to hope for something that he was pretty sure would not happen.”

Sure noun US /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was given to musing but not to avoidable action, and he seemed habitually to hope for something that he was pretty sure would not happen.”

Surprised noun US /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “This indiscretion, so uncharacteristic, was due to the agitation of a surprised moment, for Duke's experience had inclined him to a peaceful pessimism, and he had no ambition for hazardous undertakings of any sort.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “He was given to musing but not to avoidable action, and he seemed habitually to hope for something that he was pretty sure would not happen.”

All words in this reading · 99

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 On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.

action

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was given to musing but not to avoidable action, and he seemed habitually to hope for something that he was pretty sure would not happen.

afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.

agitation

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This indiscretion, so uncharacteristic, was due to the agitation of a surprised moment, for Duke's experience had inclined him to a peaceful pessimism, and he had no ambition for hazardous undertakings of any sort.

air

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Even in his sleep, this gave him an air of wistfulness.

ambition

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This indiscretion, so uncharacteristic, was due to the agitation of a surprised moment, for Duke's experience had inclined him to a peaceful pessimism, and he had no ambition for hazardous undertakings of any sort.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Even in his sleep, this gave him an air of wistfulness.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.

any

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This indiscretion, so uncharacteristic, was due to the agitation of a surprised moment, for Duke's experience had inclined him to a peaceful pessimism, and he had no ambition for hazardous undertakings of any sort.

appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

ascend

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

asleep

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

avoidable

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was given to musing but not to avoidable action, and he seemed habitually to hope for something that he was pretty sure would not happen.

back

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.

backbone

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He was given to musing but not to avoidable action, and he seemed habitually to hope for something that he was pretty sure would not happen.

careless

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

cat

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.

cook

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

dog

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.

due

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This indiscretion, so uncharacteristic, was due to the agitation of a surprised moment, for Duke's experience had inclined him to a peaceful pessimism, and he had no ambition for hazardous undertakings of any sort.

Duke

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.

Duke's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This indiscretion, so uncharacteristic, was due to the agitation of a surprised moment, for Duke's experience had inclined him to a peaceful pessimism, and he had no ambition for hazardous undertakings of any sort.

encouraged

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

EvennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Even in his sleep, this gave him an air of wistfulness.

experience

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This indiscretion, so uncharacteristic, was due to the agitation of a surprised moment, for Duke's experience had inclined him to a peaceful pessimism, and he had no ambition for hazardous undertakings of any sort.

extend

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

fairnounUS /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.

felt

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

field

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

footnounUS /foot/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading This indiscretion, so uncharacteristic, was due to the agitation of a surprised moment, for Duke's experience had inclined him to a peaceful pessimism, and he had no ambition for hazardous undertakings of any sort.

gave

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Even in his sleep, this gave him an air of wistfulness.

given

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was given to musing but not to avoidable action, and he seemed habitually to hope for something that he was pretty sure would not happen.

habitually

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was given to musing but not to avoidable action, and he seemed habitually to hope for something that he was pretty sure would not happen.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.

happen

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was given to musing but not to avoidable action, and he seemed habitually to hope for something that he was pretty sure would not happen.

hazardous

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This indiscretion, so uncharacteristic, was due to the agitation of a surprised moment, for Duke's experience had inclined him to a peaceful pessimism, and he had no ambition for hazardous undertakings of any sort.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading This indiscretion, so uncharacteristic, was due to the agitation of a surprised moment, for Duke's experience had inclined him to a peaceful pessimism, and he had no ambition for hazardous undertakings of any sort.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading This indiscretion, so uncharacteristic, was due to the agitation of a surprised moment, for Duke's experience had inclined him to a peaceful pessimism, and he had no ambition for hazardous undertakings of any sort.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.

hope

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was given to musing but not to avoidable action, and he seemed habitually to hope for something that he was pretty sure would not happen.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.

inclined

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This indiscretion, so uncharacteristic, was due to the agitation of a surprised moment, for Duke's experience had inclined him to a peaceful pessimism, and he had no ambition for hazardous undertakings of any sort.

indiscretion

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This indiscretion, so uncharacteristic, was due to the agitation of a surprised moment, for Duke's experience had inclined him to a peaceful pessimism, and he had no ambition for hazardous undertakings of any sort.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

lay

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.

metal

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

moment

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This indiscretion, so uncharacteristic, was due to the agitation of a surprised moment, for Duke's experience had inclined him to a peaceful pessimism, and he had no ambition for hazardous undertakings of any sort.

musing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was given to musing but not to avoidable action, and he seemed habitually to hope for something that he was pretty sure would not happen.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading This indiscretion, so uncharacteristic, was due to the agitation of a surprised moment, for Duke's experience had inclined him to a peaceful pessimism, and he had no ambition for hazardous undertakings of any sort.

nook

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He was given to musing but not to avoidable action, and he seemed habitually to hope for something that he was pretty sure would not happen.

November

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.

old

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.

peaceful

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This indiscretion, so uncharacteristic, was due to the agitation of a surprised moment, for Duke's experience had inclined him to a peaceful pessimism, and he had no ambition for hazardous undertakings of any sort.

Penrod's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.

pessimism

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This indiscretion, so uncharacteristic, was due to the agitation of a surprised moment, for Duke's experience had inclined him to a peaceful pessimism, and he had no ambition for hazardous undertakings of any sort.

porch

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.

pretty

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was given to musing but not to avoidable action, and he seemed habitually to hope for something that he was pretty sure would not happen.

reconnaissance

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

refuse-can

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

returnednounUS /ˈreturned/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.

Saturday

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was given to musing but not to avoidable action, and he seemed habitually to hope for something that he was pretty sure would not happen.

sleep

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Even in his sleep, this gave him an air of wistfulness.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading This indiscretion, so uncharacteristic, was due to the agitation of a surprised moment, for Duke's experience had inclined him to a peaceful pessimism, and he had no ambition for hazardous undertakings of any sort.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading He was given to musing but not to avoidable action, and he seemed habitually to hope for something that he was pretty sure would not happen.

sort

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This indiscretion, so uncharacteristic, was due to the agitation of a surprised moment, for Duke's experience had inclined him to a peaceful pessimism, and he had no ambition for hazardous undertakings of any sort.

steps

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

strange

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.

surenounUS /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was given to musing but not to avoidable action, and he seemed habitually to hope for something that he was pretty sure would not happen.

surprisednounUS /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading This indiscretion, so uncharacteristic, was due to the agitation of a surprised moment, for Duke's experience had inclined him to a peaceful pessimism, and he had no ambition for hazardous undertakings of any sort.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He was given to musing but not to avoidable action, and he seemed habitually to hope for something that he was pretty sure would not happen.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This indiscretion, so uncharacteristic, was due to the agitation of a surprised moment, for Duke's experience had inclined him to a peaceful pessimism, and he had no ambition for hazardous undertakings of any sort.

three-pound

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

Thus

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.

trouble

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.

uncharacteristic

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From this reading This indiscretion, so uncharacteristic, was due to the agitation of a surprised moment, for Duke's experience had inclined him to a peaceful pessimism, and he had no ambition for hazardous undertakings of any sort.

undertakings

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From this reading This indiscretion, so uncharacteristic, was due to the agitation of a surprised moment, for Duke's experience had inclined him to a peaceful pessimism, and he had no ambition for hazardous undertakings of any sort.

unwarlike

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From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

ventured

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading This indiscretion, so uncharacteristic, was due to the agitation of a surprised moment, for Duke's experience had inclined him to a peaceful pessimism, and he had no ambition for hazardous undertakings of any sort.

ways

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From this reading On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

whitefish

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, being asleep in a nook behind the metal refuse-can, when the strange cat ventured to ascend the steps of the porch, his appearance was so unwarlike that the cat felt encouraged to extend its field of reconnaissance for the cook had been careless, and the backbone of a three-pound whitefish lay at the foot of the refuse-can.

wistfulness

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From this reading Even in his sleep, this gave him an air of wistfulness.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He was given to musing but not to avoidable action, and he seemed habitually to hope for something that he was pretty sure would not happen.

youth

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On a fair Saturday afternoon in November Penrod's little old dog Duke returned to the ways of his youth and had trouble with a strange cat on the back porch.