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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 Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.
able
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From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.
alarm
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From this reading Reuben, startled at first by the quiet manner in which his friend had spoken, now looked at him in alarm.
All
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From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.
almost
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From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.
any
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From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.
awkward
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From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.
bickerings
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From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.
boaster
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From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.
boy
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From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.
braggart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.
Brawls
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From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.
bully
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From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Reuben, startled at first by the quiet manner in which his friend had spoken, now looked at him in alarm.
camp
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From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.
Carson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.
comparison
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From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.
defend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.
entire
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From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.
fell
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From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.
felt
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From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Reuben, startled at first by the quiet manner in which his friend had spoken, now looked at him in alarm.
gazed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.
guide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Reuben, startled at first by the quiet manner in which his friend had spoken, now looked at him in alarm.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Reuben, startled at first by the quiet manner in which his friend had spoken, now looked at him in alarm.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.
Instantly
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From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.
join
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.
Kit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.
lonely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Reuben, startled at first by the quiet manner in which his friend had spoken, now looked at him in alarm.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.
manner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Reuben, startled at first by the quiet manner in which his friend had spoken, now looked at him in alarm.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Reuben, startled at first by the quiet manner in which his friend had spoken, now looked at him in alarm.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.
petty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.
quarrels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Reuben, startled at first by the quiet manner in which his friend had spoken, now looked at him in alarm.
Reuben
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Reuben, startled at first by the quiet manner in which his friend had spoken, now looked at him in alarm.
seem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.
size
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.
slight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.
spoken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Reuben, startled at first by the quiet manner in which his friend had spoken, now looked at him in alarm.
startled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Reuben, startled at first by the quiet manner in which his friend had spoken, now looked at him in alarm.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.
tall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.
tense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.
trappers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.
uncommon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.
West
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Reuben, startled at first by the quiet manner in which his friend had spoken, now looked at him in alarm.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.
