Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading What surprised her was the short distance; she had not realized that the bluff and the upland formed a wide curve, and that she had cut the distance almost in half by riding next the river.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading She drove the cattle into the corral farthest from the house, rode on to the stable, and stopped Blue with his nose against the fence there and with his reins dragging.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What surprised her was the short distance; she had not realized that the bluff and the upland formed a wide curve, and that she had cut the distance almost in half by riding next the river.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
arrived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She seemed in no doubt as to what she would do when she arrived.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She seemed in no doubt as to what she would do when she arrived.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
BILLY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
Blue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She drove the cattle into the corral farthest from the house, rode on to the stable, and stopped Blue with his nose against the fence there and with his reins dragging.
bluffadjectiveUS /blʌf/
direct and plain-spoken in manner, sometimes seeming rough
From this reading What surprised her was the short distance; she had not realized that the bluff and the upland formed a wide curve, and that she had cut the distance almost in half by riding next the river.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading What surprised her was the short distance; she had not realized that the bluff and the upland formed a wide curve, and that she had cut the distance almost in half by riding next the river.
cattle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
corral
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She drove the cattle into the corral farthest from the house, rode on to the stable, and stopped Blue with his nose against the fence there and with his reins dragging.
Cove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
curve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What surprised her was the short distance; she had not realized that the bluff and the upland formed a wide curve, and that she had cut the distance almost in half by riding next the river.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What surprised her was the short distance; she had not realized that the bluff and the upland formed a wide curve, and that she had cut the distance almost in half by riding next the river.
distance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What surprised her was the short distance; she had not realized that the bluff and the upland formed a wide curve, and that she had cut the distance almost in half by riding next the river.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading She seemed in no doubt as to what she would do when she arrived.
doubt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She seemed in no doubt as to what she would do when she arrived.
dragging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She drove the cattle into the corral farthest from the house, rode on to the stable, and stopped Blue with his nose against the fence there and with his reins dragging.
drove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She drove the cattle into the corral farthest from the house, rode on to the stable, and stopped Blue with his nose against the fence there and with his reins dragging.
egress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
eventually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
farthest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She drove the cattle into the corral farthest from the house, rode on to the stable, and stopped Blue with his nose against the fence there and with his reins dragging.
fence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She drove the cattle into the corral farthest from the house, rode on to the stable, and stopped Blue with his nose against the fence there and with his reins dragging.
formed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What surprised her was the short distance; she had not realized that the bluff and the upland formed a wide curve, and that she had cut the distance almost in half by riding next the river.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She drove the cattle into the corral farthest from the house, rode on to the stable, and stopped Blue with his nose against the fence there and with his reins dragging.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Billy Louise was not much given to indecision at any time.
gorge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading What surprised her was the short distance; she had not realized that the bluff and the upland formed a wide curve, and that she had cut the distance almost in half by riding next the river.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
HERdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She drove the cattle into the corral farthest from the house, rode on to the stable, and stopped Blue with his nose against the fence there and with his reins dragging.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She drove the cattle into the corral farthest from the house, rode on to the stable, and stopped Blue with his nose against the fence there and with his reins dragging.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
indecision
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Billy Louise was not much given to indecision at any time.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She drove the cattle into the corral farthest from the house, rode on to the stable, and stopped Blue with his nose against the fence there and with his reins dragging.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
Louise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
lower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Billy Louise was not much given to indecision at any time.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading What surprised her was the short distance; she had not realized that the bluff and the upland formed a wide curve, and that she had cut the distance almost in half by riding next the river.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading She seemed in no doubt as to what she would do when she arrived.
nose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She drove the cattle into the corral farthest from the house, rode on to the stable, and stopped Blue with his nose against the fence there and with his reins dragging.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
realized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What surprised her was the short distance; she had not realized that the bluff and the upland formed a wide curve, and that she had cut the distance almost in half by riding next the river.
reins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She drove the cattle into the corral farthest from the house, rode on to the stable, and stopped Blue with his nose against the fence there and with his reins dragging.
riding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What surprised her was the short distance; she had not realized that the bluff and the upland formed a wide curve, and that she had cut the distance almost in half by riding next the river.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What surprised her was the short distance; she had not realized that the bluff and the upland formed a wide curve, and that she had cut the distance almost in half by riding next the river.
rode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She drove the cattle into the corral farthest from the house, rode on to the stable, and stopped Blue with his nose against the fence there and with his reins dragging.
saveprepositionUS /seɪv/
except for; apart from
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She seemed in no doubt as to what she would do when she arrived.
shameful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading What surprised her was the short distance; she had not realized that the bluff and the upland formed a wide curve, and that she had cut the distance almost in half by riding next the river.
sides
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
spite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
stable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She drove the cattle into the corral farthest from the house, rode on to the stable, and stopped Blue with his nose against the fence there and with his reins dragging.
stoppednounUS /stopped/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She drove the cattle into the corral farthest from the house, rode on to the stable, and stopped Blue with his nose against the fence there and with his reins dragging.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
supposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
surprisednounUS /surprised/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading What surprised her was the short distance; she had not realized that the bluff and the upland formed a wide curve, and that she had cut the distance almost in half by riding next the river.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
theft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She drove the cattle into the corral farthest from the house, rode on to the stable, and stopped Blue with his nose against the fence there and with his reins dragging.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Billy Louise was not much given to indecision at any time.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
upland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What surprised her was the short distance; she had not realized that the bluff and the upland formed a wide curve, and that she had cut the distance almost in half by riding next the river.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What surprised her was the short distance; she had not realized that the bluff and the upland formed a wide curve, and that she had cut the distance almost in half by riding next the river.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading She seemed in no doubt as to what she would do when she arrived.
wide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What surprised her was the short distance; she had not realized that the bluff and the upland formed a wide curve, and that she had cut the distance almost in half by riding next the river.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading She drove the cattle into the corral farthest from the house, rode on to the stable, and stopped Blue with his nose against the fence there and with his reins dragging.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading THE BILLY OF HER Since she had closed up on the cattle and had read on their sides the shameful story of theft, Billy Louise had known that she would eventually come out at the lower end of the Cove; and that in spite of the fact that the Cove was not supposed to have any egress save through the gorge.
