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 Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
All
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the mass of mountains and of clouds, all the sombre chaos of the preceding night had disentangled itself almost suddenly, as under the touch of a magic wand.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the mass of mountains and of clouds, all the sombre chaos of the preceding night had disentangled itself almost suddenly, as under the touch of a magic wand.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Pyrenees, returned to their real proportions, were only average mountains, with slopes bathed in a shadow still nocturnal, but with peaks neatly cut in a sky which was already clearing.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Several hours later, at the first uncertain flush of dawn, at the instant when shepherds and fisherman awake, they were returning joyously, the smugglers, having finished their undertaking.
anybodypronounUS /ˈenibədi/
any person at all
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Several hours later, at the first uncertain flush of dawn, at the instant when shepherds and fisherman awake, they were returning joyously, the smugglers, having finished their undertaking.
average
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Pyrenees, returned to their real proportions, were only average mountains, with slopes bathed in a shadow still nocturnal, but with peaks neatly cut in a sky which was already clearing.
awake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several hours later, at the first uncertain flush of dawn, at the instant when shepherds and fisherman awake, they were returning joyously, the smugglers, having finished their undertaking.
bark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
Basque
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
bathed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Pyrenees, returned to their real proportions, were only average mountains, with slopes bathed in a shadow still nocturnal, but with peaks neatly cut in a sky which was already clearing.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
become
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
Bidassoa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
blow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
blue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Pyrenees, returned to their real proportions, were only average mountains, with slopes bathed in a shadow still nocturnal, but with peaks neatly cut in a sky which was already clearing.
changed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
chaos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the mass of mountains and of clouds, all the sombre chaos of the preceding night had disentangled itself almost suddenly, as under the touch of a magic wand.
chases
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
clearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Pyrenees, returned to their real proportions, were only average mountains, with slopes bathed in a shadow still nocturnal, but with peaks neatly cut in a sky which was already clearing.
climate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
clouds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the mass of mountains and of clouds, all the sombre chaos of the preceding night had disentangled itself almost suddenly, as under the touch of a magic wand.
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
conceal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
custom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Pyrenees, returned to their real proportions, were only average mountains, with slopes bathed in a shadow still nocturnal, but with peaks neatly cut in a sky which was already clearing.
dawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several hours later, at the first uncertain flush of dawn, at the instant when shepherds and fisherman awake, they were returning joyously, the smugglers, having finished their undertaking.
delicious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
disentangled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the mass of mountains and of clouds, all the sombre chaos of the preceding night had disentangled itself almost suddenly, as under the touch of a magic wand.
enlivens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
exquisite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
finished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several hours later, at the first uncertain flush of dawn, at the instant when shepherds and fisherman awake, they were returning joyously, the smugglers, having finished their undertaking.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Several hours later, at the first uncertain flush of dawn, at the instant when shepherds and fisherman awake, they were returning joyously, the smugglers, having finished their undertaking.
fisherman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several hours later, at the first uncertain flush of dawn, at the instant when shepherds and fisherman awake, they were returning joyously, the smugglers, having finished their undertaking.
flush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several hours later, at the first uncertain flush of dawn, at the instant when shepherds and fisherman awake, they were returning joyously, the smugglers, having finished their undertaking.
Fontarabia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
fords
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
gives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Several hours later, at the first uncertain flush of dawn, at the instant when shepherds and fisherman awake, they were returning joyously, the smugglers, having finished their undertaking.
hired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
horizons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several hours later, at the first uncertain flush of dawn, at the instant when shepherds and fisherman awake, they were returning joyously, the smugglers, having finished their undertaking.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
illusions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
infinite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
infinitely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
instant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several hours later, at the first uncertain flush of dawn, at the instant when shepherds and fisherman awake, they were returning joyously, the smugglers, having finished their undertaking.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading All the mass of mountains and of clouds, all the sombre chaos of the preceding night had disentangled itself almost suddenly, as under the touch of a magic wand.
joyously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several hours later, at the first uncertain flush of dawn, at the instant when shepherds and fisherman awake, they were returning joyously, the smugglers, having finished their undertaking.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several hours later, at the first uncertain flush of dawn, at the instant when shepherds and fisherman awake, they were returning joyously, the smugglers, having finished their undertaking.
lukewarm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
magic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the mass of mountains and of clouds, all the sombre chaos of the preceding night had disentangled itself almost suddenly, as under the touch of a magic wand.
makes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
mass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the mass of mountains and of clouds, all the sombre chaos of the preceding night had disentangled itself almost suddenly, as under the touch of a magic wand.
mists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
mountains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the mass of mountains and of clouds, all the sombre chaos of the preceding night had disentangled itself almost suddenly, as under the touch of a magic wand.
neatly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Pyrenees, returned to their real proportions, were only average mountains, with slopes bathed in a shadow still nocturnal, but with peaks neatly cut in a sky which was already clearing.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the mass of mountains and of clouds, all the sombre chaos of the preceding night had disentangled itself almost suddenly, as under the touch of a magic wand.
nocturnal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Pyrenees, returned to their real proportions, were only average mountains, with slopes bathed in a shadow still nocturnal, but with peaks neatly cut in a sky which was already clearing.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Several hours later, at the first uncertain flush of dawn, at the instant when shepherds and fisherman awake, they were returning joyously, the smugglers, having finished their undertaking.
officers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Pyrenees, returned to their real proportions, were only average mountains, with slopes bathed in a shadow still nocturnal, but with peaks neatly cut in a sky which was already clearing.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
peaks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Pyrenees, returned to their real proportions, were only average mountains, with slopes bathed in a shadow still nocturnal, but with peaks neatly cut in a sky which was already clearing.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
precautionsplural nounUS /prɪˈkɔʃənz/
actions taken to prevent danger
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
preceding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the mass of mountains and of clouds, all the sombre chaos of the preceding night had disentangled itself almost suddenly, as under the touch of a magic wand.
prolongs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
proportions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Pyrenees, returned to their real proportions, were only average mountains, with slopes bathed in a shadow still nocturnal, but with peaks neatly cut in a sky which was already clearing.
Pyrenees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Pyrenees, returned to their real proportions, were only average mountains, with slopes bathed in a shadow still nocturnal, but with peaks neatly cut in a sky which was already clearing.
ravines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
real
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Pyrenees, returned to their real proportions, were only average mountains, with slopes bathed in a shadow still nocturnal, but with peaks neatly cut in a sky which was already clearing.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The Pyrenees, returned to their real proportions, were only average mountains, with slopes bathed in a shadow still nocturnal, but with peaks neatly cut in a sky which was already clearing.
returning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several hours later, at the first uncertain flush of dawn, at the instant when shepherds and fisherman awake, they were returning joyously, the smugglers, having finished their undertaking.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
rivers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
season
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
Several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several hours later, at the first uncertain flush of dawn, at the instant when shepherds and fisherman awake, they were returning joyously, the smugglers, having finished their undertaking.
shades
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading The Pyrenees, returned to their real proportions, were only average mountains, with slopes bathed in a shadow still nocturnal, but with peaks neatly cut in a sky which was already clearing.
shepherds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several hours later, at the first uncertain flush of dawn, at the instant when shepherds and fisherman awake, they were returning joyously, the smugglers, having finished their undertaking.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
sky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Pyrenees, returned to their real proportions, were only average mountains, with slopes bathed in a shadow still nocturnal, but with peaks neatly cut in a sky which was already clearing.
slopes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Pyrenees, returned to their real proportions, were only average mountains, with slopes bathed in a shadow still nocturnal, but with peaks neatly cut in a sky which was already clearing.
smugglers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several hours later, at the first uncertain flush of dawn, at the instant when shepherds and fisherman awake, they were returning joyously, the smugglers, having finished their undertaking.
sombre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the mass of mountains and of clouds, all the sombre chaos of the preceding night had disentangled itself almost suddenly, as under the touch of a magic wand.
southern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
Spain's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
special
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
started
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Pyrenees, returned to their real proportions, were only average mountains, with slopes bathed in a shadow still nocturnal, but with peaks neatly cut in a sky which was already clearing.
suave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading All the mass of mountains and of clouds, all the sombre chaos of the preceding night had disentangled itself almost suddenly, as under the touch of a magic wand.
summer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Several hours later, at the first uncertain flush of dawn, at the instant when shepherds and fisherman awake, they were returning joyously, the smugglers, having finished their undertaking.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Several hours later, at the first uncertain flush of dawn, at the instant when shepherds and fisherman awake, they were returning joyously, the smugglers, having finished their undertaking.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Several hours later, at the first uncertain flush of dawn, at the instant when shepherds and fisherman awake, they were returning joyously, the smugglers, having finished their undertaking.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
touch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the mass of mountains and of clouds, all the sombre chaos of the preceding night had disentangled itself almost suddenly, as under the touch of a magic wand.
uncertain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several hours later, at the first uncertain flush of dawn, at the instant when shepherds and fisherman awake, they were returning joyously, the smugglers, having finished their undertaking.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
undertakingnounUS /ˌʌndərˈteɪkɪŋ/
a serious task, project, or venture that someone agrees to do
From this reading Several hours later, at the first uncertain flush of dawn, at the instant when shepherds and fisherman awake, they were returning joyously, the smugglers, having finished their undertaking.
wand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the mass of mountains and of clouds, all the sombre chaos of the preceding night had disentangled itself almost suddenly, as under the touch of a magic wand.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Pyrenees, returned to their real proportions, were only average mountains, with slopes bathed in a shadow still nocturnal, but with peaks neatly cut in a sky which was already clearing.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Several hours later, at the first uncertain flush of dawn, at the instant when shepherds and fisherman awake, they were returning joyously, the smugglers, having finished their undertaking.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Several hours later, at the first uncertain flush of dawn, at the instant when shepherds and fisherman awake, they were returning joyously, the smugglers, having finished their undertaking.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The Pyrenees, returned to their real proportions, were only average mountains, with slopes bathed in a shadow still nocturnal, but with peaks neatly cut in a sky which was already clearing.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
winter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air had become lukewarm, suave, exquisite, as if the climate or the season had suddenly changed,--and it was the southern wind which was beginning to blow, the delicious southern wind special to the Basque country, which chases before it, the cold, the clouds and the mists, which enlivens the shades of all things, makes the sky blue, prolongs the horizons infinitely and gives, even in winter, summer illusions.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
woods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having started on foot and gone, with infinite precautions to be silent, through ravines, through woods, through fords of rivers, they were returning, as if they were people who had never anything to conceal from anybody, in a bark of Fontarabia, hired under the eyes of Spain's custom house officers, through the Bidassoa river.
