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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 Saunders sat with his back to a big fir and a little hammer in his hand.
admitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Saunders sat with his back to a big fir and a little hammer in his hand.
announced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Saunders sat with his back to a big fir and a little hammer in his hand.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading SAUNDERS TAKES PRECAUTIONS The men from the settlement had been three weeks in camp.
big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Saunders sat with his back to a big fir and a little hammer in his hand.
bronzed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
camp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SAUNDERS TAKES PRECAUTIONS The men from the settlement had been three weeks in camp.
carefully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
daylight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
Devine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
dollars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
empty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
fir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Saunders sat with his back to a big fir and a little hammer in his hand.
flour-bag
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
fragments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading SAUNDERS TAKES PRECAUTIONS The men from the settlement had been three weeks in camp.
gaunt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
grim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
grin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading SAUNDERS TAKES PRECAUTIONS The men from the settlement had been three weeks in camp.
hammer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Saunders sat with his back to a big fir and a little hammer in his hand.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Saunders sat with his back to a big fir and a little hammer in his hand.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
heap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
highly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Saunders sat with his back to a big fir and a little hammer in his hand.
horny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SAUNDERS TAKES PRECAUTIONS The men from the settlement had been three weeks in camp.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
latter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
leaned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Saunders sat with his back to a big fir and a little hammer in his hand.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
lumps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
lying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
material
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SAUNDERS TAKES PRECAUTIONS The men from the settlement had been three weeks in camp.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
neighboring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
old-time
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
paid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
pile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
poising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
PRECAUTIONSplural nounUS /prɪˈkɔʃənz/
actions taken to prevent danger
From this reading SAUNDERS TAKES PRECAUTIONS The men from the settlement had been three weeks in camp.
prospector
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
quartz
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
ready
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
result
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Saunders sat with his back to a big fir and a little hammer in his hand.
satisfied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
SAUNDERS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SAUNDERS TAKES PRECAUTIONS The men from the settlement had been three weeks in camp.
services
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
settlement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SAUNDERS TAKES PRECAUTIONS The men from the settlement had been three weeks in camp.
shattered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
six
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
smaller
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
suggestive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
TAKES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SAUNDERS TAKES PRECAUTIONS The men from the settlement had been three weeks in camp.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SAUNDERS TAKES PRECAUTIONS The men from the settlement had been three weeks in camp.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SAUNDERS TAKES PRECAUTIONS The men from the settlement had been three weeks in camp.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Saunders sat with his back to a big fir and a little hammer in his hand.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SAUNDERS TAKES PRECAUTIONS The men from the settlement had been three weeks in camp.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Saunders sat with his back to a big fir and a little hammer in his hand.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
