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 “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I understand that there is a good deal of cotton hidden about here somewhere, but I hope yours is where nobody will find it.”
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
bad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
bale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I haven’t a bale to bless myself with,” replied Rodney.
bless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I haven’t a bale to bless myself with,” replied Rodney.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
burnverbUS /bɜːrn/
To consume or be consumed by fire.
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
captainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
continuednounUS /ˈcontinued/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
cotton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I understand that there is a good deal of cotton hidden about here somewhere, but I hope yours is where nobody will find it.”
cotton-burning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
deal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I understand that there is a good deal of cotton hidden about here somewhere, but I hope yours is where nobody will find it.”
drained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
enemy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
exactly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
expedition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Perhaps not, but your father has; several of them,” said the officer with a smile.
filled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
fresh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I understand that there is a good deal of cotton hidden about here somewhere, but I hope yours is where nobody will find it.”
gourd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
government
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Perhaps not, but your father has; several of them,” said the officer with a smile.
haul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
haven't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I haven’t a bale to bless myself with,” replied Rodney.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I understand that there is a good deal of cotton hidden about here somewhere, but I hope yours is where nobody will find it.”
hidden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I understand that there is a good deal of cotton hidden about here somewhere, but I hope yours is where nobody will find it.”
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I understand that there is a good deal of cotton hidden about here somewhere, but I hope yours is where nobody will find it.”
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading “I haven’t a bale to bless myself with,” replied Rodney.
nobodypronounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/
no person; not anyone
From this reading I understand that there is a good deal of cotton hidden about here somewhere, but I hope yours is where nobody will find it.”
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
officer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Perhaps not, but your father has; several of them,” said the officer with a smile.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
ordered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
pay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
Perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Perhaps not, but your father has; several of them,” said the officer with a smile.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
profiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
repliednounUS /replied/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I haven’t a bale to bless myself with,” replied Rodney.
Rodney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I haven’t a bale to bless myself with,” replied Rodney.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Perhaps not, but your father has; several of them,” said the officer with a smile.
send
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Perhaps not, but your father has; several of them,” said the officer with a smile.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
smile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Perhaps not, but your father has; several of them,” said the officer with a smile.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
somewhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I understand that there is a good deal of cotton hidden about here somewhere, but I hope yours is where nobody will find it.”
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “Perhaps not, but your father has; several of them,” said the officer with a smile.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I understand that there is a good deal of cotton hidden about here somewhere, but I hope yours is where nobody will find it.”
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I understand that there is a good deal of cotton hidden about here somewhere, but I hope yours is where nobody will find it.”
wagons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading I understand that there is a good deal of cotton hidden about here somewhere, but I hope yours is where nobody will find it.”
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Perhaps not, but your father has; several of them,” said the officer with a smile.
yourspronounUS /jʊrz/
the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to
From this reading I understand that there is a good deal of cotton hidden about here somewhere, but I hope yours is where nobody will find it.”
