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 Such a thing was very frequent.
allowance
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From this reading This was to make fair allowance for winter storms and snows, and other unavoidable causes of detention.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Our new conductor (just shipped) had been without sleep for twenty hours.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
California
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From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
cars
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From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
causes
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From this reading This was to make fair allowance for winter storms and snows, and other unavoidable causes of detention.
company
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From this reading The stage company had everything under strict discipline and good system.
conductor
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From this reading Our new conductor (just shipped) had been without sleep for twenty hours.
contracts
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From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
detention
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From this reading This was to make fair allowance for winter storms and snows, and other unavoidable causes of detention.
discipline
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From this reading The stage company had everything under strict discipline and good system.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
eighteen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading The stage company had everything under strict discipline and good system.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This was to make fair allowance for winter storms and snows, and other unavoidable causes of detention.
fifteen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Our new conductor (just shipped) had been without sleep for twenty hours.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
frequent
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From this reading Such a thing was very frequent.
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The stage company had everything under strict discipline and good system.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Our new conductor (just shipped) had been without sleep for twenty hours.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
hours
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From this reading Our new conductor (just shipped) had been without sleep for twenty hours.
hundred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
Joseph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our new conductor (just shipped) had been without sleep for twenty hours.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
mail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This was to make fair allowance for winter storms and snows, and other unavoidable causes of detention.
miles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
Missouri
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our new conductor (just shipped) had been without sleep for twenty hours.
nineteennounUS /ˈnineteen/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This was to make fair allowance for winter storms and snows, and other unavoidable causes of detention.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was to make fair allowance for winter storms and snows, and other unavoidable causes of detention.
OurdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Our new conductor (just shipped) had been without sleep for twenty hours.
rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/
To recall to mind.
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
requirednounUS /required/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
rightly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
Sacramento
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
schedule
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
shipped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our new conductor (just shipped) had been without sleep for twenty hours.
sleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our new conductor (just shipped) had been without sleep for twenty hours.
snows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was to make fair allowance for winter storms and snows, and other unavoidable causes of detention.
specified
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
stage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stage company had everything under strict discipline and good system.
stage-coach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
storms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was to make fair allowance for winter storms and snows, and other unavoidable causes of detention.
strict
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stage company had everything under strict discipline and good system.
SuchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such a thing was very frequent.
system
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stage company had everything under strict discipline and good system.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Such a thing was very frequent.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was to make fair allowance for winter storms and snows, and other unavoidable causes of detention.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
trip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, by stage-coach, was nearly nineteen hundred miles, and the trip was often made in fifteen days (the cars do it in four and a half, now), but the time specified in the mail contracts, and required by the schedule, was eighteen or nineteen days, if I remember rightly.
twenty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our new conductor (just shipped) had been without sleep for twenty hours.
unavoidable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was to make fair allowance for winter storms and snows, and other unavoidable causes of detention.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The stage company had everything under strict discipline and good system.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such a thing was very frequent.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Such a thing was very frequent.
winter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was to make fair allowance for winter storms and snows, and other unavoidable causes of detention.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Our new conductor (just shipped) had been without sleep for twenty hours.
