adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The general, therefore, was a pioneer, and was by no means overrun with friends from the East in search of an agreeable winter climate.
accompanimentsnounUS /əˈkʌmpnɪmənts/
plural of “accompaniment” — an event or situation that happens at the same time as or in connection with another
From this reading The speediest route, though open to strange discomforts, was by way of the Isthmus; and then there were always the saddle, the wagon, and the stage, with the accompaniments of road-agents, tornadoes, deserts, and starvation.
agreeableadjectiveUS /əˈɡriːəbəl/
conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature
From this reading The general, therefore, was a pioneer, and was by no means overrun with friends from the East in search of an agreeable winter climate.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading But the events now to be narrated occurred some years before the era of transcontinental railroads: they were in the air, but not yet bolted down to the earth.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading The speediest route, though open to strange discomforts, was by way of the Isthmus; and then there were always the saddle, the wagon, and the stage, with the accompaniments of road-agents, tornadoes, deserts, and starvation.
AmericanounUS /əˈmerəkə/
North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The general, therefore, was a pioneer, and was by no means overrun with friends from the East in search of an agreeable winter climate.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The general, therefore, was a pioneer, and was by no means overrun with friends from the East in search of an agreeable winter climate.
AntarcticnounUS /ænˈtɑːrktɪk/
the region around the south pole: Antarctica and surrounding waters
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But the events now to be narrated occurred some years before the era of transcontinental railroads: they were in the air, but not yet bolted down to the earth.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But the events now to be narrated occurred some years before the era of transcontinental railroads: they were in the air, but not yet bolted down to the earth.
boltedverbUS /ˈboʊltəd/
past form of “bolt” — move or jump suddenly
From this reading But the events now to be narrated occurred some years before the era of transcontinental railroads: they were in the air, but not yet bolted down to the earth.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the events now to be narrated occurred some years before the era of transcontinental railroads: they were in the air, but not yet bolted down to the earth.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The general, therefore, was a pioneer, and was by no means overrun with friends from the East in search of an agreeable winter climate.
capenounUS /keɪp/
a strip of land projecting into a body of water
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
climatenounUS /ˈklaɪmət/
the weather in some location averaged over some long period of time
From this reading The general, therefore, was a pioneer, and was by no means overrun with friends from the East in search of an agreeable winter climate.
desertsnounUS /ˈdezərts/
plural of “desert” — arid land with little or no vegetation
From this reading The speediest route, though open to strange discomforts, was by way of the Isthmus; and then there were always the saddle, the wagon, and the stage, with the accompaniments of road-agents, tornadoes, deserts, and starvation.
discomforts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The speediest route, though open to strange discomforts, was by way of the Isthmus; and then there were always the saddle, the wagon, and the stage, with the accompaniments of road-agents, tornadoes, deserts, and starvation.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading But the events now to be narrated occurred some years before the era of transcontinental railroads: they were in the air, but not yet bolted down to the earth.
earthnounUS /ɜːrθ/
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading But the events now to be narrated occurred some years before the era of transcontinental railroads: they were in the air, but not yet bolted down to the earth.
easiestadjectiveUS /ˈiːziəst/
superlative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
EastnounUS /iːst/
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading The general, therefore, was a pioneer, and was by no means overrun with friends from the East in search of an agreeable winter climate.
eranounUS /ˈerə/
a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
From this reading But the events now to be narrated occurred some years before the era of transcontinental railroads: they were in the air, but not yet bolted down to the earth.
eventsnounUS /ɪˈvents/
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading But the events now to be narrated occurred some years before the era of transcontinental railroads: they were in the air, but not yet bolted down to the earth.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The Southern Pacific Railway passes, today, not far from the site of General Trednoke’s ranch.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
formsnounUS /fɔːrmz/
plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
friendsnounUS /frendz/
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading The general, therefore, was a pioneer, and was by no means overrun with friends from the East in search of an agreeable winter climate.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The Southern Pacific Railway passes, today, not far from the site of General Trednoke’s ranch.
GeneraladjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəl/
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading The Southern Pacific Railway passes, today, not far from the site of General Trednoke’s ranch.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But the events now to be narrated occurred some years before the era of transcontinental railroads: they were in the air, but not yet bolted down to the earth.
inquiringlyadverb
in an inquiring manner
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
IsthmusnounUS /ˈɪsməs/
a relatively narrow strip of land (with water on both sides) connecting two larger land areas
From this reading The speediest route, though open to strange discomforts, was by way of the Isthmus; and then there were always the saddle, the wagon, and the stage, with the accompaniments of road-agents, tornadoes, deserts, and starvation.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
meansnounUS /miːnz/
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading The general, therefore, was a pioneer, and was by no means overrun with friends from the East in search of an agreeable winter climate.
narratedverbUS /ˈnereɪtɪd/
past form of “narrate” — provide commentary for a film, for example
From this reading But the events now to be narrated occurred some years before the era of transcontinental railroads: they were in the air, but not yet bolted down to the earth.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The general, therefore, was a pioneer, and was by no means overrun with friends from the East in search of an agreeable winter climate.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Southern Pacific Railway passes, today, not far from the site of General Trednoke’s ranch.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But the events now to be narrated occurred some years before the era of transcontinental railroads: they were in the air, but not yet bolted down to the earth.
occurredverbUS /əˈkɜːrd/
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading But the events now to be narrated occurred some years before the era of transcontinental railroads: they were in the air, but not yet bolted down to the earth.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Southern Pacific Railway passes, today, not far from the site of General Trednoke’s ranch.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The speediest route, though open to strange discomforts, was by way of the Isthmus; and then there were always the saddle, the wagon, and the stage, with the accompaniments of road-agents, tornadoes, deserts, and starvation.
overrunverbUS /ˈoʊvərrʌn/
invade in great numbers
From this reading The general, therefore, was a pioneer, and was by no means overrun with friends from the East in search of an agreeable winter climate.
PacificnounUS /pəˈsɪfɪk/
the largest ocean in the world
From this reading The Southern Pacific Railway passes, today, not far from the site of General Trednoke’s ranch.
passesnounUS /ˈpæsəz/
plural of “pass” — (baseball) an advance to first base by a batter who receives four balls
From this reading The Southern Pacific Railway passes, today, not far from the site of General Trednoke’s ranch.
pioneernounUS /ˌpaɪəˈnɪr/
someone who helps to open up a new line of research or technology or art
From this reading The general, therefore, was a pioneer, and was by no means overrun with friends from the East in search of an agreeable winter climate.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
pressedadjectiveUS /prest/
compacted by ironing
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
questionableadjectiveUS /ˈkwestʃənəbəl/
subject to question
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
railroadsnounUS /ˈreɪlroʊdz/
plural of “railroad” — line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading But the events now to be narrated occurred some years before the era of transcontinental railroads: they were in the air, but not yet bolted down to the earth.
RailwaynounUS /ˈreɪlweɪ/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading The Southern Pacific Railway passes, today, not far from the site of General Trednoke’s ranch.
ranchnounUS /ræntʃ/
farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading The Southern Pacific Railway passes, today, not far from the site of General Trednoke’s ranch.
reachverbUS /riːtʃ/
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
road-agents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The speediest route, though open to strange discomforts, was by way of the Isthmus; and then there were always the saddle, the wagon, and the stage, with the accompaniments of road-agents, tornadoes, deserts, and starvation.
roundnounUS /raʊnd/
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
routenounUS /ruːt/
an established line of travel or access
From this reading The speediest route, though open to strange discomforts, was by way of the Isthmus; and then there were always the saddle, the wagon, and the stage, with the accompaniments of road-agents, tornadoes, deserts, and starvation.
saddleverbUS /ˈsædəl/
put a saddle on
From this reading The speediest route, though open to strange discomforts, was by way of the Isthmus; and then there were always the saddle, the wagon, and the stage, with the accompaniments of road-agents, tornadoes, deserts, and starvation.
scentedadjectiveUS /ˈsentɪd/
having the sense of smell
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
searchverbUS /sɜːrtʃ/
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading The general, therefore, was a pioneer, and was by no means overrun with friends from the East in search of an agreeable winter climate.
sharpadjectiveUS /ʃɑːrp/
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
sitenounUS /saɪt/
the piece of land on which something is located (or is to be located)
From this reading The Southern Pacific Railway passes, today, not far from the site of General Trednoke’s ranch.
snoutnounUS /snaʊt/
a long projecting or anterior elongation of an animal's head; especially the nose
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
solitudes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading But the events now to be narrated occurred some years before the era of transcontinental railroads: they were in the air, but not yet bolted down to the earth.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
SouthnounUS /saʊθ/
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
SouthernadjectiveUS /ˈsʌðərn/
in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The Southern Pacific Railway passes, today, not far from the site of General Trednoke’s ranch.
southernmostadjectiveUS /ˈsʌðərnmoʊst/
situated farthest south
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
speediest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The speediest route, though open to strange discomforts, was by way of the Isthmus; and then there were always the saddle, the wagon, and the stage, with the accompaniments of road-agents, tornadoes, deserts, and starvation.
stagenounUS /steɪdʒ/
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading The speediest route, though open to strange discomforts, was by way of the Isthmus; and then there were always the saddle, the wagon, and the stage, with the accompaniments of road-agents, tornadoes, deserts, and starvation.
starvationnounUS /stɑːrˈveɪʃən/
a state of extreme hunger resulting from lack of essential nutrients over a prolonged period
From this reading The speediest route, though open to strange discomforts, was by way of the Isthmus; and then there were always the saddle, the wagon, and the stage, with the accompaniments of road-agents, tornadoes, deserts, and starvation.
sticksnounUS /stɪks/
plural of “stick” — an implement consisting of a length of wood
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
strangeadjectiveUS /streɪndʒ/
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading The speediest route, though open to strange discomforts, was by way of the Isthmus; and then there were always the saddle, the wagon, and the stage, with the accompaniments of road-agents, tornadoes, deserts, and starvation.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Southern Pacific Railway passes, today, not far from the site of General Trednoke’s ranch.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The speediest route, though open to strange discomforts, was by way of the Isthmus; and then there were always the saddle, the wagon, and the stage, with the accompaniments of road-agents, tornadoes, deserts, and starvation.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading The general, therefore, was a pioneer, and was by no means overrun with friends from the East in search of an agreeable winter climate.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But the events now to be narrated occurred some years before the era of transcontinental railroads: they were in the air, but not yet bolted down to the earth.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The speediest route, though open to strange discomforts, was by way of the Isthmus; and then there were always the saddle, the wagon, and the stage, with the accompaniments of road-agents, tornadoes, deserts, and starvation.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But the events now to be narrated occurred some years before the era of transcontinental railroads: they were in the air, but not yet bolted down to the earth.
todaynounUS /təˈdeɪ/
the present time or age
From this reading The Southern Pacific Railway passes, today, not far from the site of General Trednoke’s ranch.
tornadoesnounUS /tɔːrˈneɪdoʊz/
plural of “tornado” — a localized and violently destructive windstorm occurring over land characterized by a funnel-shaped cloud extending toward the ground
From this reading The speediest route, though open to strange discomforts, was by way of the Isthmus; and then there were always the saddle, the wagon, and the stage, with the accompaniments of road-agents, tornadoes, deserts, and starvation.
transcontinentaladjectiveUS /ˌtrænzkɑːntɪˈnentəl/
spanning or crossing or on the farther side of a continent
From this reading But the events now to be narrated occurred some years before the era of transcontinental railroads: they were in the air, but not yet bolted down to the earth.
Trednoke's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Southern Pacific Railway passes, today, not far from the site of General Trednoke’s ranch.
wagonnounUS /ˈwæɡən/
any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor
From this reading The speediest route, though open to strange discomforts, was by way of the Isthmus; and then there were always the saddle, the wagon, and the stage, with the accompaniments of road-agents, tornadoes, deserts, and starvation.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The general, therefore, was a pioneer, and was by no means overrun with friends from the East in search of an agreeable winter climate.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But the events now to be narrated occurred some years before the era of transcontinental railroads: they were in the air, but not yet bolted down to the earth.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
winternounUS /ˈwɪntər/
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading The general, therefore, was a pioneer, and was by no means overrun with friends from the East in search of an agreeable winter climate.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The general, therefore, was a pioneer, and was by no means overrun with friends from the East in search of an agreeable winter climate.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading But the events now to be narrated occurred some years before the era of transcontinental railroads: they were in the air, but not yet bolted down to the earth.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading But the events now to be narrated occurred some years before the era of transcontinental railroads: they were in the air, but not yet bolted down to the earth.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading The easiest way to reach him--if you were not pressed for time--was round the cape which forms the southernmost point of South America and sticks its sharp snout inquiringly into the Antarctic solitudes, as if it scented something questionable there.
