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AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
afforded
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From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.
almost
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From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.
anxiously
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From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
any
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From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading It was, however, difficult to see far, because a gray dimness narrowed in the horizon.
bitter
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From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.
BLIZZARD
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From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.
bluffadjectiveUS /blʌf/
direct and plain-spoken in manner, sometimes seeming rough
From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.
branches
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From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.
clearing
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From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.
closely
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From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
cutting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.
difficult
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From this reading It was, however, difficult to see far, because a gray dimness narrowed in the horizon.
dimness
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From this reading It was, however, difficult to see far, because a gray dimness narrowed in the horizon.
dressed
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From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.
Edgar
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From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
ExceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
fallen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, however, difficult to see far, because a gray dimness narrowed in the horizon.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.
fuel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.
furs
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From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.
George
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From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.
glanced
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From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
gray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, however, difficult to see far, because a gray dimness narrowed in the horizon.
Grierson
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From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.
hewing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.
hired
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From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.
horizon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, however, difficult to see far, because a gray dimness narrowed in the horizon.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading It was, however, difficult to see far, because a gray dimness narrowed in the horizon.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was, however, difficult to see far, because a gray dimness narrowed in the horizon.
joined
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From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
leaflessadjectiveUS /ˈliːfləs/
having no leaves, usually because of the season
From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.
levels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.
massed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.
narrowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, however, difficult to see far, because a gray dimness narrowed in the horizon.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
OutsidenounUS /ˈoutside/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
poplar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.
prairie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.
rows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.
scarceadjectiveUS /skɛrs/
hard to find or in short supply
From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.
searched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, however, difficult to see far, because a gray dimness narrowed in the horizon.
severe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
shelter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
sign
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
size
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.
sledge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
slender
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.
snow-flecked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.
snowy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.
strewn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.
team
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
trees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.
trunks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.
twice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
valleys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
wastenounUS /weɪst/
an empty, uncultivated area of land
From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.