adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Quite carelessly, foolishly, thinking of bucolic lovers carving their initials on forest trees, he broke a spray of laurel and another of redwood.
acquaintedadjectiveUS /əˈkweɪntɪd/
having fair knowledge of
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
allowedverbUS /əˈlaʊd/
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading As he rode along, learning the good nature, the roguishness and the dependableness of the animal, Graham hummed the words of the "Gypsy Trail" and allowed them to lead his thoughts.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading As he rode along, learning the good nature, the roguishness and the dependableness of the animal, Graham hummed the words of the "Gypsy Trail" and allowed them to lead his thoughts.
Altadena
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As he rode along, learning the good nature, the roguishness and the dependableness of the animal, Graham hummed the words of the "Gypsy Trail" and allowed them to lead his thoughts.
animalnounUS /ˈænəməl/
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading As he rode along, learning the good nature, the roguishness and the dependableness of the animal, Graham hummed the words of the "Gypsy Trail" and allowed them to lead his thoughts.
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Quite carelessly, foolishly, thinking of bucolic lovers carving their initials on forest trees, he broke a spray of laurel and another of redwood.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he rode along, learning the good nature, the roguishness and the dependableness of the animal, Graham hummed the words of the "Gypsy Trail" and allowed them to lead his thoughts.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading When the patteran was fashioned, he tossed it on the trail before him and noted that Selim passed over without treading upon it.
bindverbUS /baɪnd/
stick to firmly
From this reading He had to stand in the stirrups to pluck a long-stemmed, five-fingered fern with which to bind the sprays into a cross.
brokeadjectiveUS /broʊk/
lacking funds
From this reading Quite carelessly, foolishly, thinking of bucolic lovers carving their initials on forest trees, he broke a spray of laurel and another of redwood.
bucolicadjectiveUS /bjuːˈkɑːlɪk/
(used with regard to idealized country life) idyllically rustic
From this reading Quite carelessly, foolishly, thinking of bucolic lovers carving their initials on forest trees, he broke a spray of laurel and another of redwood.
canyonsnounUS /ˈkænjənz/
plural of “canyon” — a ravine formed by a river in an area with little rainfall
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
carelesslyadverbUS /ˈkerləsli/
without care or concern
From this reading Quite carelessly, foolishly, thinking of bucolic lovers carving their initials on forest trees, he broke a spray of laurel and another of redwood.
carvingnounUS /ˈkɑːrvɪŋ/
a sculpture created by removing material (as wood or ivory or stone) in order to create a desired shape
From this reading Quite carelessly, foolishly, thinking of bucolic lovers carving their initials on forest trees, he broke a spray of laurel and another of redwood.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
coal-blackadjective
of the blackest black; similar to the color of jet or coal
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
crossverbUS /krɔːs/
travel across or pass over
From this reading He had to stand in the stirrups to pluck a long-stemmed, five-fingered fern with which to bind the sprays into a cross.
dependablenessnoun
the quality of being dependable or reliable
From this reading As he rode along, learning the good nature, the roguishness and the dependableness of the animal, Graham hummed the words of the "Gypsy Trail" and allowed them to lead his thoughts.
DicknounUS /dɪk/
someone who is a detective
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
eleven-hundred-pound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
fashionedadjectiveUS /ˈfæʃənd/
planned and made or fashioned artistically
From this reading When the patteran was fashioned, he tossed it on the trail before him and noted that Selim passed over without treading upon it.
fernnounUS /fɜːrn/
any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores
From this reading He had to stand in the stirrups to pluck a long-stemmed, five-fingered fern with which to bind the sprays into a cross.
five-fingered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had to stand in the stirrups to pluck a long-stemmed, five-fingered fern with which to bind the sprays into a cross.
foolishlyadverbUS /ˈfuːlɪʃli/
without good sense or judgment
From this reading Quite carelessly, foolishly, thinking of bucolic lovers carving their initials on forest trees, he broke a spray of laurel and another of redwood.
forestnounUS /ˈfɔːrəst/
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Quite carelessly, foolishly, thinking of bucolic lovers carving their initials on forest trees, he broke a spray of laurel and another of redwood.
furnishedadjectiveUS /ˈfɜːrnɪʃt/
provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
geldingnoun
castrated male horse
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
gettingnounUS /ˈɡetɪŋ/
the act of acquiring something
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading As he rode along, learning the good nature, the roguishness and the dependableness of the animal, Graham hummed the words of the "Gypsy Trail" and allowed them to lead his thoughts.
GrahamnounUS /ˈɡreɪəm/
United States evangelical preacher famous as a mass evangelist (born in 1918)
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
GypsynounUS /ˈdʒɪpsi/
a laborer who moves from place to place as demanded by employment
From this reading As he rode along, learning the good nature, the roguishness and the dependableness of the animal, Graham hummed the words of the "Gypsy Trail" and allowed them to lead his thoughts.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As he rode along, learning the good nature, the roguishness and the dependableness of the animal, Graham hummed the words of the "Gypsy Trail" and allowed them to lead his thoughts.
hillsnounUS /hɪlz/
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As he rode along, learning the good nature, the roguishness and the dependableness of the animal, Graham hummed the words of the "Gypsy Trail" and allowed them to lead his thoughts.
hummed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he rode along, learning the good nature, the roguishness and the dependableness of the animal, Graham hummed the words of the "Gypsy Trail" and allowed them to lead his thoughts.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
initialsnounUS /ˌɪˈnɪʃəlz/
plural of “initial” — the first letter of a word (especially a person's name)
From this reading Quite carelessly, foolishly, thinking of bucolic lovers carving their initials on forest trees, he broke a spray of laurel and another of redwood.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He had to stand in the stirrups to pluck a long-stemmed, five-fingered fern with which to bind the sprays into a cross.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When the patteran was fashioned, he tossed it on the trail before him and noted that Selim passed over without treading upon it.
laurelnounUS /ˈlɔːrəl/
any of various aromatic trees of the laurel family
From this reading Quite carelessly, foolishly, thinking of bucolic lovers carving their initials on forest trees, he broke a spray of laurel and another of redwood.
leadverbUS /led/
take somebody somewhere
From this reading As he rode along, learning the good nature, the roguishness and the dependableness of the animal, Graham hummed the words of the "Gypsy Trail" and allowed them to lead his thoughts.
learningnounUS /ˈlɜːrnɪŋ/
the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge
From this reading As he rode along, learning the good nature, the roguishness and the dependableness of the animal, Graham hummed the words of the "Gypsy Trail" and allowed them to lead his thoughts.
lighternounUS /ˈlaɪtər/
a substance used to ignite or kindle a fire
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
long-stemmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had to stand in the stirrups to pluck a long-stemmed, five-fingered fern with which to bind the sprays into a cross.
loversnounUS /ˈlʌvərz/
plural of “lover” — a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading Quite carelessly, foolishly, thinking of bucolic lovers carving their initials on forest trees, he broke a spray of laurel and another of redwood.
naturenounUS /ˈneɪtʃər/
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading As he rode along, learning the good nature, the roguishness and the dependableness of the animal, Graham hummed the words of the "Gypsy Trail" and allowed them to lead his thoughts.
notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading When the patteran was fashioned, he tossed it on the trail before him and noted that Selim passed over without treading upon it.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Quite carelessly, foolishly, thinking of bucolic lovers carving their initials on forest trees, he broke a spray of laurel and another of redwood.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading When the patteran was fashioned, he tossed it on the trail before him and noted that Selim passed over without treading upon it.
overlookedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərlʊkt/
not taken into account
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading When the patteran was fashioned, he tossed it on the trail before him and noted that Selim passed over without treading upon it.
patteran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the patteran was fashioned, he tossed it on the trail before him and noted that Selim passed over without treading upon it.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
pluckverbUS /plʌk/
pull or pull out sharply
From this reading He had to stand in the stirrups to pluck a long-stemmed, five-fingered fern with which to bind the sprays into a cross.
QuiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Quite carelessly, foolishly, thinking of bucolic lovers carving their initials on forest trees, he broke a spray of laurel and another of redwood.
ranchnounUS /ræntʃ/
farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
redwoodnounUS /ˈredwʊd/
the soft reddish wood of either of two species of sequoia trees
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
ridingnounUS /ˈraɪdɪŋ/
the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
rodeverbUS /roʊd/
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading As he rode along, learning the good nature, the roguishness and the dependableness of the animal, Graham hummed the words of the "Gypsy Trail" and allowed them to lead his thoughts.
roguishnessnoun
the trait of indulging in disreputable pranks
From this reading As he rode along, learning the good nature, the roguishness and the dependableness of the animal, Graham hummed the words of the "Gypsy Trail" and allowed them to lead his thoughts.
Selim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
solitaryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləteri/
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
spraynounUS /spreɪ/
a pesticide in suspension or solution; intended for spraying
From this reading Quite carelessly, foolishly, thinking of bucolic lovers carving their initials on forest trees, he broke a spray of laurel and another of redwood.
spraysnounUS /spreɪz/
plural of “spray” — a pesticide in suspension or solution; intended for spraying
From this reading He had to stand in the stirrups to pluck a long-stemmed, five-fingered fern with which to bind the sprays into a cross.
standverbUS /stænd/
be standing; be upright
From this reading He had to stand in the stirrups to pluck a long-stemmed, five-fingered fern with which to bind the sprays into a cross.
stirrupsnounUS /ˈstɜːrəps/
plural of “stirrup” — support consisting of metal loops into which rider's feet go
From this reading He had to stand in the stirrups to pluck a long-stemmed, five-fingered fern with which to bind the sprays into a cross.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Quite carelessly, foolishly, thinking of bucolic lovers carving their initials on forest trees, he broke a spray of laurel and another of redwood.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As he rode along, learning the good nature, the roguishness and the dependableness of the animal, Graham hummed the words of the "Gypsy Trail" and allowed them to lead his thoughts.
thinkingnounUS /ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading Quite carelessly, foolishly, thinking of bucolic lovers carving their initials on forest trees, he broke a spray of laurel and another of redwood.
thoughtsnounUS /θɔːts/
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading As he rode along, learning the good nature, the roguishness and the dependableness of the animal, Graham hummed the words of the "Gypsy Trail" and allowed them to lead his thoughts.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As he rode along, learning the good nature, the roguishness and the dependableness of the animal, Graham hummed the words of the "Gypsy Trail" and allowed them to lead his thoughts.
tossedverbUS /tɔːst/
past form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading When the patteran was fashioned, he tossed it on the trail before him and noted that Selim passed over without treading upon it.
TrailnounUS /treɪl/
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading As he rode along, learning the good nature, the roguishness and the dependableness of the animal, Graham hummed the words of the "Gypsy Trail" and allowed them to lead his thoughts.
treadingverbUS /ˈtredɪŋ/
-ing form of “tread” — put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading When the patteran was fashioned, he tossed it on the trail before him and noted that Selim passed over without treading upon it.
treesnounUS /triːz/
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Quite carelessly, foolishly, thinking of bucolic lovers carving their initials on forest trees, he broke a spray of laurel and another of redwood.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading When the patteran was fashioned, he tossed it on the trail before him and noted that Selim passed over without treading upon it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When the patteran was fashioned, he tossed it on the trail before him and noted that Selim passed over without treading upon it.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Graham, riding solitary through the redwood canyons among the hills that overlooked the ranch center, was getting acquainted with Selim, the eleven-hundred-pound, coal-black gelding which Dick had furnished him in place of the lighter Altadena.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading When the patteran was fashioned, he tossed it on the trail before him and noted that Selim passed over without treading upon it.
wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/
the words that are spoken
From this reading As he rode along, learning the good nature, the roguishness and the dependableness of the animal, Graham hummed the words of the "Gypsy Trail" and allowed them to lead his thoughts.
