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 He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
accompanied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
age
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From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
all
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From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
announcement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
anybodypronounUS /ˈenibədi/
any person at all
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
arm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
attempted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
bent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His whole body seemed weighed down with iron.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
common
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
companions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
completely
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From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
contortions
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From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
control
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From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
costume
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
Dan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
direction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
double
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
down
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From this reading His whole body seemed weighed down with iron.
dressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
field
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
firmly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
gazing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
heavily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
heels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
HIMSELFpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading OLD JORDAN SHOWS HIMSELF.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
indescribableadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈskraɪbəbəl/
too intense to describe too intense or unusual to describe clearly
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
iron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His whole body seemed weighed down with iron.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
JORDAN
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From this reading OLD JORDAN SHOWS HIMSELF.
leaned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
manage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
manner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
negro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
negroes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
OLD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OLD JORDAN SHOWS HIMSELF.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
peculiar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
plantation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
planted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
plenty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
rheumatic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
sable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His whole body seemed weighed down with iron.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
SHOWS
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From this reading OLD JORDAN SHOWS HIMSELF.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
staff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
startling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
taken
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From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
turn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
unnerved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
viciously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
walked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.
war
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
weighednounUS /ˈweighed/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading His whole body seemed weighed down with iron.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His whole body seemed weighed down with iron.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading His whole body seemed weighed down with iron.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.
