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Six Feet Four
Six Feet Four

Chapter XIII

Cover illustration for Six Feet Four
Context Illustration Reading 1/25 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE RANCH ON BIG LITTLE RIVER Buck Thornton had returned to the Poison Hole ranch.
But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.
Further, he had sought for tracks to tell him from where this man had come, where he had gone.
When he had found nothing he went, he hardly knew why, to the cabin, pushed the door open and entered.
And instead of learning anything definitely now he was merely the more perplexed.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Six Feet Four

Chapter XIII

Reading 1/25 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE RANCH ON BIG LITTLE RIVER Buck Thornton had returned to the Poison Hole ranch.
Line 2
But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.
Line 3
Further, he had sought for tracks to tell him from where this man had come, where he had gone.
Line 4
When he had found nothing he went, he hardly knew why, to the cabin, pushed the door open and entered.
Line 5
And instead of learning anything definitely now he was merely the more perplexed.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Anything pronoun US /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading “And instead of learning anything definitely now he was merely the more perplexed.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Further, he had sought for tracks to tell him from where this man had come, where he had gone.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When he had found nothing he went, he hardly knew why, to the cabin, pushed the door open and entered.”

LITTLE noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE RANCH ON BIG LITTLE RIVER Buck Thornton had returned to the Poison Hole ranch.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “When he had found nothing he went, he hardly knew why, to the cabin, pushed the door open and entered.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “When he had found nothing he went, he hardly knew why, to the cabin, pushed the door open and entered.”

Returned noun US /ˈreturned/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “THE RANCH ON BIG LITTLE RIVER Buck Thornton had returned to the Poison Hole ranch.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When he had found nothing he went, he hardly knew why, to the cabin, pushed the door open and entered.”

All words in this reading · 74

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading And instead of learning anything definitely now he was merely the more perplexed.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

BIG

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE RANCH ON BIG LITTLE RIVER Buck Thornton had returned to the Poison Hole ranch.

Buck

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE RANCH ON BIG LITTLE RIVER Buck Thornton had returned to the Poison Hole ranch.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

cabin

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When he had found nothing he went, he hardly knew why, to the cabin, pushed the door open and entered.

careful

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Further, he had sought for tracks to tell him from where this man had come, where he had gone.

definitely

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And instead of learning anything definitely now he was merely the more perplexed.

door

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When he had found nothing he went, he hardly knew why, to the cabin, pushed the door open and entered.

down

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

entered

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When he had found nothing he went, he hardly knew why, to the cabin, pushed the door open and entered.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When he had found nothing he went, he hardly knew why, to the cabin, pushed the door open and entered.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

Further

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Further, he had sought for tracks to tell him from where this man had come, where he had gone.

gained

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

gone

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Further, he had sought for tracks to tell him from where this man had come, where he had gone.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading THE RANCH ON BIG LITTLE RIVER Buck Thornton had returned to the Poison Hole ranch.

hardly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When he had found nothing he went, he hardly knew why, to the cabin, pushed the door open and entered.

Harte's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

Hole

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE RANCH ON BIG LITTLE RIVER Buck Thornton had returned to the Poison Hole ranch.

horse

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

instead

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And instead of learning anything definitely now he was merely the more perplexed.

knew

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When he had found nothing he went, he hardly knew why, to the cabin, pushed the door open and entered.

lamed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

learning

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And instead of learning anything definitely now he was merely the more perplexed.

LITTLEnounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE RANCH ON BIG LITTLE RIVER Buck Thornton had returned to the Poison Hole ranch.

made

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

maliciously

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

man

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

merely

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And instead of learning anything definitely now he was merely the more perplexed.

more

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And instead of learning anything definitely now he was merely the more perplexed.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading When he had found nothing he went, he hardly knew why, to the cabin, pushed the door open and entered.

now

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And instead of learning anything definitely now he was merely the more perplexed.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading And instead of learning anything definitely now he was merely the more perplexed.

ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE RANCH ON BIG LITTLE RIVER Buck Thornton had returned to the Poison Hole ranch.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading When he had found nothing he went, he hardly knew why, to the cabin, pushed the door open and entered.

perplexed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And instead of learning anything definitely now he was merely the more perplexed.

place

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

Poison

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE RANCH ON BIG LITTLE RIVER Buck Thornton had returned to the Poison Hole ranch.

purpose

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

pushed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When he had found nothing he went, he hardly knew why, to the cabin, pushed the door open and entered.

RANCH

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE RANCH ON BIG LITTLE RIVER Buck Thornton had returned to the Poison Hole ranch.

returnednounUS /ˈreturned/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading THE RANCH ON BIG LITTLE RIVER Buck Thornton had returned to the Poison Hole ranch.

ridden

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

RIVER

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE RANCH ON BIG LITTLE RIVER Buck Thornton had returned to the Poison Hole ranch.

search

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

seemingly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

sign

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

Smith

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

some

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

sought

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Further, he had sought for tracks to tell him from where this man had come, where he had gone.

swift

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE RANCH ON BIG LITTLE RIVER Buck Thornton had returned to the Poison Hole ranch.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Further, he had sought for tracks to tell him from where this man had come, where he had gone.

Thornton

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE RANCH ON BIG LITTLE RIVER Buck Thornton had returned to the Poison Hole ranch.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading THE RANCH ON BIG LITTLE RIVER Buck Thornton had returned to the Poison Hole ranch.

tracks

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Further, he had sought for tracks to tell him from where this man had come, where he had gone.

trail

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When he had found nothing he went, he hardly knew why, to the cabin, pushed the door open and entered.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When he had found nothing he went, he hardly knew why, to the cabin, pushed the door open and entered.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.

why

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When he had found nothing he went, he hardly knew why, to the cabin, pushed the door open and entered.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading But first he had ridden from the Smith place down the trail to Harte's, where he made swift, careful search for some sign to tell him who was the man who had lamed his horse maliciously and seemingly with no purpose to be gained.