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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 It was a rough and thorny trail, winding in and out and up over brushy benches, then down again to the creek.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Startled deer rose up timorously from their beds along the hillside, wild turkeys ran flapping across the path; and along the bluffs the tracks of mountain lion and bear told of others who prowled by night.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was a rough and thorny trail, winding in and out and up over brushy benches, then down again to the creek.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Startled deer rose up timorously from their beds along the hillside, wild turkeys ran flapping across the path; and along the bluffs the tracks of mountain lion and bear told of others who prowled by night.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MAVERICK BASIN The trail to Maverick Basin led north up Turkey Creek; and on both sides of the canyon, in caverns and beneath huge crags, the white houses of the cliff-dwellers caught the eye.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading These were covered with black pines and Douglas spruce, clinging close to the shelving slopes; and below them the oaks and junipers crept in, while at the bottom there was cactus and mesquite.
BASIN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MAVERICK BASIN The trail to Maverick Basin led north up Turkey Creek; and on both sides of the canyon, in caverns and beneath huge crags, the white houses of the cliff-dwellers caught the eye.
bear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Startled deer rose up timorously from their beds along the hillside, wild turkeys ran flapping across the path; and along the bluffs the tracks of mountain lion and bear told of others who prowled by night.
beds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Startled deer rose up timorously from their beds along the hillside, wild turkeys ran flapping across the path; and along the bluffs the tracks of mountain lion and bear told of others who prowled by night.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading These were covered with black pines and Douglas spruce, clinging close to the shelving slopes; and below them the oaks and junipers crept in, while at the bottom there was cactus and mesquite.
benches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a rough and thorny trail, winding in and out and up over brushy benches, then down again to the creek.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading MAVERICK BASIN The trail to Maverick Basin led north up Turkey Creek; and on both sides of the canyon, in caverns and beneath huge crags, the white houses of the cliff-dwellers caught the eye.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The mountains rose up in jumbled and shattered terraces, split here and there by dark and jagged chasms which revealed the far heights beyond.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These were covered with black pines and Douglas spruce, clinging close to the shelving slopes; and below them the oaks and junipers crept in, while at the bottom there was cactus and mesquite.
bluffs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Startled deer rose up timorously from their beds along the hillside, wild turkeys ran flapping across the path; and along the bluffs the tracks of mountain lion and bear told of others who prowled by night.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading MAVERICK BASIN The trail to Maverick Basin led north up Turkey Creek; and on both sides of the canyon, in caverns and beneath huge crags, the white houses of the cliff-dwellers caught the eye.
bottom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These were covered with black pines and Douglas spruce, clinging close to the shelving slopes; and below them the oaks and junipers crept in, while at the bottom there was cactus and mesquite.
brushy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a rough and thorny trail, winding in and out and up over brushy benches, then down again to the creek.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The mountains rose up in jumbled and shattered terraces, split here and there by dark and jagged chasms which revealed the far heights beyond.
cactus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These were covered with black pines and Douglas spruce, clinging close to the shelving slopes; and below them the oaks and junipers crept in, while at the bottom there was cactus and mesquite.
canyon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MAVERICK BASIN The trail to Maverick Basin led north up Turkey Creek; and on both sides of the canyon, in caverns and beneath huge crags, the white houses of the cliff-dwellers caught the eye.
caught
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MAVERICK BASIN The trail to Maverick Basin led north up Turkey Creek; and on both sides of the canyon, in caverns and beneath huge crags, the white houses of the cliff-dwellers caught the eye.
caverns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MAVERICK BASIN The trail to Maverick Basin led north up Turkey Creek; and on both sides of the canyon, in caverns and beneath huge crags, the white houses of the cliff-dwellers caught the eye.
chasms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mountains rose up in jumbled and shattered terraces, split here and there by dark and jagged chasms which revealed the far heights beyond.
cliff-dwellers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MAVERICK BASIN The trail to Maverick Basin led north up Turkey Creek; and on both sides of the canyon, in caverns and beneath huge crags, the white houses of the cliff-dwellers caught the eye.
clinging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These were covered with black pines and Douglas spruce, clinging close to the shelving slopes; and below them the oaks and junipers crept in, while at the bottom there was cactus and mesquite.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These were covered with black pines and Douglas spruce, clinging close to the shelving slopes; and below them the oaks and junipers crept in, while at the bottom there was cactus and mesquite.
covered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These were covered with black pines and Douglas spruce, clinging close to the shelving slopes; and below them the oaks and junipers crept in, while at the bottom there was cactus and mesquite.
crags
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MAVERICK BASIN The trail to Maverick Basin led north up Turkey Creek; and on both sides of the canyon, in caverns and beneath huge crags, the white houses of the cliff-dwellers caught the eye.
Creek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MAVERICK BASIN The trail to Maverick Basin led north up Turkey Creek; and on both sides of the canyon, in caverns and beneath huge crags, the white houses of the cliff-dwellers caught the eye.
crept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These were covered with black pines and Douglas spruce, clinging close to the shelving slopes; and below them the oaks and junipers crept in, while at the bottom there was cactus and mesquite.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mountains rose up in jumbled and shattered terraces, split here and there by dark and jagged chasms which revealed the far heights beyond.
deer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Startled deer rose up timorously from their beds along the hillside, wild turkeys ran flapping across the path; and along the bluffs the tracks of mountain lion and bear told of others who prowled by night.
Douglas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These were covered with black pines and Douglas spruce, clinging close to the shelving slopes; and below them the oaks and junipers crept in, while at the bottom there was cactus and mesquite.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a rough and thorny trail, winding in and out and up over brushy benches, then down again to the creek.
eye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MAVERICK BASIN The trail to Maverick Basin led north up Turkey Creek; and on both sides of the canyon, in caverns and beneath huge crags, the white houses of the cliff-dwellers caught the eye.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mountains rose up in jumbled and shattered terraces, split here and there by dark and jagged chasms which revealed the far heights beyond.
flapping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Startled deer rose up timorously from their beds along the hillside, wild turkeys ran flapping across the path; and along the bluffs the tracks of mountain lion and bear told of others who prowled by night.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Startled deer rose up timorously from their beds along the hillside, wild turkeys ran flapping across the path; and along the bluffs the tracks of mountain lion and bear told of others who prowled by night.
heights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mountains rose up in jumbled and shattered terraces, split here and there by dark and jagged chasms which revealed the far heights beyond.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The mountains rose up in jumbled and shattered terraces, split here and there by dark and jagged chasms which revealed the far heights beyond.
hillside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Startled deer rose up timorously from their beds along the hillside, wild turkeys ran flapping across the path; and along the bluffs the tracks of mountain lion and bear told of others who prowled by night.
houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MAVERICK BASIN The trail to Maverick Basin led north up Turkey Creek; and on both sides of the canyon, in caverns and beneath huge crags, the white houses of the cliff-dwellers caught the eye.
huge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MAVERICK BASIN The trail to Maverick Basin led north up Turkey Creek; and on both sides of the canyon, in caverns and beneath huge crags, the white houses of the cliff-dwellers caught the eye.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading MAVERICK BASIN The trail to Maverick Basin led north up Turkey Creek; and on both sides of the canyon, in caverns and beneath huge crags, the white houses of the cliff-dwellers caught the eye.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a rough and thorny trail, winding in and out and up over brushy benches, then down again to the creek.
jagged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mountains rose up in jumbled and shattered terraces, split here and there by dark and jagged chasms which revealed the far heights beyond.
jumbled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mountains rose up in jumbled and shattered terraces, split here and there by dark and jagged chasms which revealed the far heights beyond.
junipers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These were covered with black pines and Douglas spruce, clinging close to the shelving slopes; and below them the oaks and junipers crept in, while at the bottom there was cactus and mesquite.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MAVERICK BASIN The trail to Maverick Basin led north up Turkey Creek; and on both sides of the canyon, in caverns and beneath huge crags, the white houses of the cliff-dwellers caught the eye.
lion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Startled deer rose up timorously from their beds along the hillside, wild turkeys ran flapping across the path; and along the bluffs the tracks of mountain lion and bear told of others who prowled by night.
MAVERICK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MAVERICK BASIN The trail to Maverick Basin led north up Turkey Creek; and on both sides of the canyon, in caverns and beneath huge crags, the white houses of the cliff-dwellers caught the eye.
mesquite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These were covered with black pines and Douglas spruce, clinging close to the shelving slopes; and below them the oaks and junipers crept in, while at the bottom there was cactus and mesquite.
mountain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Startled deer rose up timorously from their beds along the hillside, wild turkeys ran flapping across the path; and along the bluffs the tracks of mountain lion and bear told of others who prowled by night.
mountains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mountains rose up in jumbled and shattered terraces, split here and there by dark and jagged chasms which revealed the far heights beyond.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Startled deer rose up timorously from their beds along the hillside, wild turkeys ran flapping across the path; and along the bluffs the tracks of mountain lion and bear told of others who prowled by night.
north
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MAVERICK BASIN The trail to Maverick Basin led north up Turkey Creek; and on both sides of the canyon, in caverns and beneath huge crags, the white houses of the cliff-dwellers caught the eye.
oaks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These were covered with black pines and Douglas spruce, clinging close to the shelving slopes; and below them the oaks and junipers crept in, while at the bottom there was cactus and mesquite.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MAVERICK BASIN The trail to Maverick Basin led north up Turkey Creek; and on both sides of the canyon, in caverns and beneath huge crags, the white houses of the cliff-dwellers caught the eye.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading MAVERICK BASIN The trail to Maverick Basin led north up Turkey Creek; and on both sides of the canyon, in caverns and beneath huge crags, the white houses of the cliff-dwellers caught the eye.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Startled deer rose up timorously from their beds along the hillside, wild turkeys ran flapping across the path; and along the bluffs the tracks of mountain lion and bear told of others who prowled by night.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a rough and thorny trail, winding in and out and up over brushy benches, then down again to the creek.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It was a rough and thorny trail, winding in and out and up over brushy benches, then down again to the creek.
path
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Startled deer rose up timorously from their beds along the hillside, wild turkeys ran flapping across the path; and along the bluffs the tracks of mountain lion and bear told of others who prowled by night.
pines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These were covered with black pines and Douglas spruce, clinging close to the shelving slopes; and below them the oaks and junipers crept in, while at the bottom there was cactus and mesquite.
prowled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Startled deer rose up timorously from their beds along the hillside, wild turkeys ran flapping across the path; and along the bluffs the tracks of mountain lion and bear told of others who prowled by night.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Startled deer rose up timorously from their beds along the hillside, wild turkeys ran flapping across the path; and along the bluffs the tracks of mountain lion and bear told of others who prowled by night.
revealed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mountains rose up in jumbled and shattered terraces, split here and there by dark and jagged chasms which revealed the far heights beyond.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mountains rose up in jumbled and shattered terraces, split here and there by dark and jagged chasms which revealed the far heights beyond.
rough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a rough and thorny trail, winding in and out and up over brushy benches, then down again to the creek.
shattered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mountains rose up in jumbled and shattered terraces, split here and there by dark and jagged chasms which revealed the far heights beyond.
shelving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These were covered with black pines and Douglas spruce, clinging close to the shelving slopes; and below them the oaks and junipers crept in, while at the bottom there was cactus and mesquite.
sides
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MAVERICK BASIN The trail to Maverick Basin led north up Turkey Creek; and on both sides of the canyon, in caverns and beneath huge crags, the white houses of the cliff-dwellers caught the eye.
slopes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These were covered with black pines and Douglas spruce, clinging close to the shelving slopes; and below them the oaks and junipers crept in, while at the bottom there was cactus and mesquite.
split
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mountains rose up in jumbled and shattered terraces, split here and there by dark and jagged chasms which revealed the far heights beyond.
spruce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These were covered with black pines and Douglas spruce, clinging close to the shelving slopes; and below them the oaks and junipers crept in, while at the bottom there was cactus and mesquite.
Startled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Startled deer rose up timorously from their beds along the hillside, wild turkeys ran flapping across the path; and along the bluffs the tracks of mountain lion and bear told of others who prowled by night.
terraces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mountains rose up in jumbled and shattered terraces, split here and there by dark and jagged chasms which revealed the far heights beyond.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MAVERICK BASIN The trail to Maverick Basin led north up Turkey Creek; and on both sides of the canyon, in caverns and beneath huge crags, the white houses of the cliff-dwellers caught the eye.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Startled deer rose up timorously from their beds along the hillside, wild turkeys ran flapping across the path; and along the bluffs the tracks of mountain lion and bear told of others who prowled by night.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading These were covered with black pines and Douglas spruce, clinging close to the shelving slopes; and below them the oaks and junipers crept in, while at the bottom there was cactus and mesquite.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a rough and thorny trail, winding in and out and up over brushy benches, then down again to the creek.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mountains rose up in jumbled and shattered terraces, split here and there by dark and jagged chasms which revealed the far heights beyond.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These were covered with black pines and Douglas spruce, clinging close to the shelving slopes; and below them the oaks and junipers crept in, while at the bottom there was cactus and mesquite.
thorny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a rough and thorny trail, winding in and out and up over brushy benches, then down again to the creek.
timorously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Startled deer rose up timorously from their beds along the hillside, wild turkeys ran flapping across the path; and along the bluffs the tracks of mountain lion and bear told of others who prowled by night.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MAVERICK BASIN The trail to Maverick Basin led north up Turkey Creek; and on both sides of the canyon, in caverns and beneath huge crags, the white houses of the cliff-dwellers caught the eye.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Startled deer rose up timorously from their beds along the hillside, wild turkeys ran flapping across the path; and along the bluffs the tracks of mountain lion and bear told of others who prowled by night.
tracks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Startled deer rose up timorously from their beds along the hillside, wild turkeys ran flapping across the path; and along the bluffs the tracks of mountain lion and bear told of others who prowled by night.
trail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MAVERICK BASIN The trail to Maverick Basin led north up Turkey Creek; and on both sides of the canyon, in caverns and beneath huge crags, the white houses of the cliff-dwellers caught the eye.
Turkey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MAVERICK BASIN The trail to Maverick Basin led north up Turkey Creek; and on both sides of the canyon, in caverns and beneath huge crags, the white houses of the cliff-dwellers caught the eye.
turkeys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Startled deer rose up timorously from their beds along the hillside, wild turkeys ran flapping across the path; and along the bluffs the tracks of mountain lion and bear told of others who prowled by night.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MAVERICK BASIN The trail to Maverick Basin led north up Turkey Creek; and on both sides of the canyon, in caverns and beneath huge crags, the white houses of the cliff-dwellers caught the eye.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading These were covered with black pines and Douglas spruce, clinging close to the shelving slopes; and below them the oaks and junipers crept in, while at the bottom there was cactus and mesquite.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These were covered with black pines and Douglas spruce, clinging close to the shelving slopes; and below them the oaks and junipers crept in, while at the bottom there was cactus and mesquite.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The mountains rose up in jumbled and shattered terraces, split here and there by dark and jagged chasms which revealed the far heights beyond.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading These were covered with black pines and Douglas spruce, clinging close to the shelving slopes; and below them the oaks and junipers crept in, while at the bottom there was cactus and mesquite.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MAVERICK BASIN The trail to Maverick Basin led north up Turkey Creek; and on both sides of the canyon, in caverns and beneath huge crags, the white houses of the cliff-dwellers caught the eye.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Startled deer rose up timorously from their beds along the hillside, wild turkeys ran flapping across the path; and along the bluffs the tracks of mountain lion and bear told of others who prowled by night.
wild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Startled deer rose up timorously from their beds along the hillside, wild turkeys ran flapping across the path; and along the bluffs the tracks of mountain lion and bear told of others who prowled by night.
winding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a rough and thorny trail, winding in and out and up over brushy benches, then down again to the creek.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading These were covered with black pines and Douglas spruce, clinging close to the shelving slopes; and below them the oaks and junipers crept in, while at the bottom there was cactus and mesquite.
