adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ships That Pass Let us go back a few months to the little, windswept platform of a railway station in northern Wisconsin.
absent-mindedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Twice within the past few minutes he has started absent-mindedly across the tracks in the direction of a near-by swamp, only to be rescued and dragged back by the tireless Mr. Philander.
acridadjectiveUS /ˈæk.rɪd/
Having an unpleasantly bitter or pungent taste or smell.
From this reading The smoke of forest fires hangs low over the surrounding landscape, its acrid fumes smarting the eyes of a little party of six who stand waiting the coming of the train that is to bear them away toward the south.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Twice within the past few minutes he has started absent-mindedly across the tracks in the direction of a near-by swamp, only to be rescued and dragged back by the tireless Mr. Philander.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Professor Archimedes Q. Porter, his hands clasped beneath the tails of his long coat, paces back and forth under the ever-watchful eye of his faithful secretary, Mr. Samuel T. Philander.
ApesnounUS /eɪps/
plural of “ape” — any of various primates with short tails or no tail at all
From this reading Jane Porter, the professor’s daughter, is in strained and lifeless conversation with William Cecil Clayton and Tarzan of the Apes.
ArchimedesnounUS /ˌɑːrkəˈmiːdiz/
Greek mathematician and physicist noted for his work in hydrostatics and mechanics and geometry (287-212 BC)
From this reading Professor Archimedes Q. Porter, his hands clasped beneath the tails of his long coat, paces back and forth under the ever-watchful eye of his faithful secretary, Mr. Samuel T. Philander.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The smoke of forest fires hangs low over the surrounding landscape, its acrid fumes smarting the eyes of a little party of six who stand waiting the coming of the train that is to bear them away toward the south.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Ships That Pass Let us go back a few months to the little, windswept platform of a railway station in northern Wisconsin.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Twice within the past few minutes he has started absent-mindedly across the tracks in the direction of a near-by swamp, only to be rescued and dragged back by the tireless Mr. Philander.
bearverbUS /ber/
have
From this reading The smoke of forest fires hangs low over the surrounding landscape, its acrid fumes smarting the eyes of a little party of six who stand waiting the coming of the train that is to bear them away toward the south.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Professor Archimedes Q. Porter, his hands clasped beneath the tails of his long coat, paces back and forth under the ever-watchful eye of his faithful secretary, Mr. Samuel T. Philander.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Twice within the past few minutes he has started absent-mindedly across the tracks in the direction of a near-by swamp, only to be rescued and dragged back by the tireless Mr. Philander.
Cecil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jane Porter, the professor’s daughter, is in strained and lifeless conversation with William Cecil Clayton and Tarzan of the Apes.
claspedverbUS /klæspt/
past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly
From this reading Professor Archimedes Q. Porter, his hands clasped beneath the tails of his long coat, paces back and forth under the ever-watchful eye of his faithful secretary, Mr. Samuel T. Philander.
Clayton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jane Porter, the professor’s daughter, is in strained and lifeless conversation with William Cecil Clayton and Tarzan of the Apes.
coatnounUS /koʊt/
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading Professor Archimedes Q. Porter, his hands clasped beneath the tails of his long coat, paces back and forth under the ever-watchful eye of his faithful secretary, Mr. Samuel T. Philander.
comingnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋ/
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading The smoke of forest fires hangs low over the surrounding landscape, its acrid fumes smarting the eyes of a little party of six who stand waiting the coming of the train that is to bear them away toward the south.
conversationnounUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃən/
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Jane Porter, the professor’s daughter, is in strained and lifeless conversation with William Cecil Clayton and Tarzan of the Apes.
daughternounUS /ˈdɔːtər/
a female human offspring
From this reading Jane Porter, the professor’s daughter, is in strained and lifeless conversation with William Cecil Clayton and Tarzan of the Apes.
directionnounUS /dərˈekʃən/
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Twice within the past few minutes he has started absent-mindedly across the tracks in the direction of a near-by swamp, only to be rescued and dragged back by the tireless Mr. Philander.
draggedverbUS /dræɡd/
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading Twice within the past few minutes he has started absent-mindedly across the tracks in the direction of a near-by swamp, only to be rescued and dragged back by the tireless Mr. Philander.
ever-watchful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Professor Archimedes Q. Porter, his hands clasped beneath the tails of his long coat, paces back and forth under the ever-watchful eye of his faithful secretary, Mr. Samuel T. Philander.
eyenounUS /aɪ/
the organ of sight
From this reading Professor Archimedes Q. Porter, his hands clasped beneath the tails of his long coat, paces back and forth under the ever-watchful eye of his faithful secretary, Mr. Samuel T. Philander.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading The smoke of forest fires hangs low over the surrounding landscape, its acrid fumes smarting the eyes of a little party of six who stand waiting the coming of the train that is to bear them away toward the south.
faithfuladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪθfəl/
steadfast in affection or allegiance
From this reading Professor Archimedes Q. Porter, his hands clasped beneath the tails of his long coat, paces back and forth under the ever-watchful eye of his faithful secretary, Mr. Samuel T. Philander.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Ships That Pass Let us go back a few months to the little, windswept platform of a railway station in northern Wisconsin.
firesnounUS /ˈfaɪərz/
plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)
From this reading The smoke of forest fires hangs low over the surrounding landscape, its acrid fumes smarting the eyes of a little party of six who stand waiting the coming of the train that is to bear them away toward the south.
forestnounUS /ˈfɔːrəst/
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading The smoke of forest fires hangs low over the surrounding landscape, its acrid fumes smarting the eyes of a little party of six who stand waiting the coming of the train that is to bear them away toward the south.
forthadverbUS /fɔːrθ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Professor Archimedes Q. Porter, his hands clasped beneath the tails of his long coat, paces back and forth under the ever-watchful eye of his faithful secretary, Mr. Samuel T. Philander.
fumesnounUS /fjuːmz/
gases ejected from an engine as waste products
From this reading The smoke of forest fires hangs low over the surrounding landscape, its acrid fumes smarting the eyes of a little party of six who stand waiting the coming of the train that is to bear them away toward the south.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Ships That Pass Let us go back a few months to the little, windswept platform of a railway station in northern Wisconsin.
handsnounUS /hændz/
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Professor Archimedes Q. Porter, his hands clasped beneath the tails of his long coat, paces back and forth under the ever-watchful eye of his faithful secretary, Mr. Samuel T. Philander.
hangsnounUS /hæŋz/
plural of “hang” — a special way of doing something
From this reading The smoke of forest fires hangs low over the surrounding landscape, its acrid fumes smarting the eyes of a little party of six who stand waiting the coming of the train that is to bear them away toward the south.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Twice within the past few minutes he has started absent-mindedly across the tracks in the direction of a near-by swamp, only to be rescued and dragged back by the tireless Mr. Philander.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Twice within the past few minutes he has started absent-mindedly across the tracks in the direction of a near-by swamp, only to be rescued and dragged back by the tireless Mr. Philander.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Professor Archimedes Q. Porter, his hands clasped beneath the tails of his long coat, paces back and forth under the ever-watchful eye of his faithful secretary, Mr. Samuel T. Philander.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Ships That Pass Let us go back a few months to the little, windswept platform of a railway station in northern Wisconsin.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The smoke of forest fires hangs low over the surrounding landscape, its acrid fumes smarting the eyes of a little party of six who stand waiting the coming of the train that is to bear them away toward the south.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The smoke of forest fires hangs low over the surrounding landscape, its acrid fumes smarting the eyes of a little party of six who stand waiting the coming of the train that is to bear them away toward the south.
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jane Porter, the professor’s daughter, is in strained and lifeless conversation with William Cecil Clayton and Tarzan of the Apes.
landscapenounUS /ˈlændskeɪp/
an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
From this reading The smoke of forest fires hangs low over the surrounding landscape, its acrid fumes smarting the eyes of a little party of six who stand waiting the coming of the train that is to bear them away toward the south.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Ships That Pass Let us go back a few months to the little, windswept platform of a railway station in northern Wisconsin.
lifelessadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪfləs/
deprived of life; no longer living
From this reading Jane Porter, the professor’s daughter, is in strained and lifeless conversation with William Cecil Clayton and Tarzan of the Apes.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Ships That Pass Let us go back a few months to the little, windswept platform of a railway station in northern Wisconsin.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Professor Archimedes Q. Porter, his hands clasped beneath the tails of his long coat, paces back and forth under the ever-watchful eye of his faithful secretary, Mr. Samuel T. Philander.
lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The smoke of forest fires hangs low over the surrounding landscape, its acrid fumes smarting the eyes of a little party of six who stand waiting the coming of the train that is to bear them away toward the south.
minutesnounUS /ˈmɪnəts/
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Twice within the past few minutes he has started absent-mindedly across the tracks in the direction of a near-by swamp, only to be rescued and dragged back by the tireless Mr. Philander.
monthsnounUS /mʌnθs/
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Ships That Pass Let us go back a few months to the little, windswept platform of a railway station in northern Wisconsin.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading Professor Archimedes Q. Porter, his hands clasped beneath the tails of his long coat, paces back and forth under the ever-watchful eye of his faithful secretary, Mr. Samuel T. Philander.
near-by
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Twice within the past few minutes he has started absent-mindedly across the tracks in the direction of a near-by swamp, only to be rescued and dragged back by the tireless Mr. Philander.
northernadjectiveUS /ˈnɔːrðərn/
in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Ships That Pass Let us go back a few months to the little, windswept platform of a railway station in northern Wisconsin.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ships That Pass Let us go back a few months to the little, windswept platform of a railway station in northern Wisconsin.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Twice within the past few minutes he has started absent-mindedly across the tracks in the direction of a near-by swamp, only to be rescued and dragged back by the tireless Mr. Philander.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The smoke of forest fires hangs low over the surrounding landscape, its acrid fumes smarting the eyes of a little party of six who stand waiting the coming of the train that is to bear them away toward the south.
pacesnounUS /ˈpeɪsɪz/
plural of “pace” — the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading Professor Archimedes Q. Porter, his hands clasped beneath the tails of his long coat, paces back and forth under the ever-watchful eye of his faithful secretary, Mr. Samuel T. Philander.
partynounUS /ˈpɑːrti/
an organization to gain political power
From this reading The smoke of forest fires hangs low over the surrounding landscape, its acrid fumes smarting the eyes of a little party of six who stand waiting the coming of the train that is to bear them away toward the south.
PassverbUS /pæs/
go across or through
From this reading Ships That Pass Let us go back a few months to the little, windswept platform of a railway station in northern Wisconsin.
pastnounUS /pæst/
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Twice within the past few minutes he has started absent-mindedly across the tracks in the direction of a near-by swamp, only to be rescued and dragged back by the tireless Mr. Philander.
PhilanderverbUS /fəˈlændər/
have amorous affairs; of men
From this reading Professor Archimedes Q. Porter, his hands clasped beneath the tails of his long coat, paces back and forth under the ever-watchful eye of his faithful secretary, Mr. Samuel T. Philander.
platformnounUS /ˈplætfɔːrm/
a raised horizontal surface
From this reading Ships That Pass Let us go back a few months to the little, windswept platform of a railway station in northern Wisconsin.
PorternounUS /ˈpɔːrtər/
a person employed to carry luggage and supplies
From this reading Professor Archimedes Q. Porter, his hands clasped beneath the tails of his long coat, paces back and forth under the ever-watchful eye of his faithful secretary, Mr. Samuel T. Philander.
ProfessornounUS /prəˈfesər/
someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
From this reading Professor Archimedes Q. Porter, his hands clasped beneath the tails of his long coat, paces back and forth under the ever-watchful eye of his faithful secretary, Mr. Samuel T. Philander.
professor'snounUS /prəˈfesərz/
possessive form of “professor” — someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
From this reading Jane Porter, the professor’s daughter, is in strained and lifeless conversation with William Cecil Clayton and Tarzan of the Apes.
QnounUS /kjuː/
the 17th letter of the Roman alphabet
From this reading Professor Archimedes Q. Porter, his hands clasped beneath the tails of his long coat, paces back and forth under the ever-watchful eye of his faithful secretary, Mr. Samuel T. Philander.
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 Ships That Pass Let us go back a few months to the little, windswept platform of a railway station in northern Wisconsin.
rescuedadjectiveUS /ˈreskjuːd/
delivered from danger
From this reading Twice within the past few minutes he has started absent-mindedly across the tracks in the direction of a near-by swamp, only to be rescued and dragged back by the tireless Mr. Philander.
SamuelnounUS /ˈsæmjuːl/
(Old Testament) Hebrew prophet and judge who anointed Saul as king
From this reading Professor Archimedes Q. Porter, his hands clasped beneath the tails of his long coat, paces back and forth under the ever-watchful eye of his faithful secretary, Mr. Samuel T. Philander.
secretarynounUS /ˈsekrəteri/
a person who is head of an administrative department of government
From this reading Professor Archimedes Q. Porter, his hands clasped beneath the tails of his long coat, paces back and forth under the ever-watchful eye of his faithful secretary, Mr. Samuel T. Philander.
ShipsnounUS /ʃɪps/
plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading Ships That Pass Let us go back a few months to the little, windswept platform of a railway station in northern Wisconsin.
sixnounUS /sɪks/
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading The smoke of forest fires hangs low over the surrounding landscape, its acrid fumes smarting the eyes of a little party of six who stand waiting the coming of the train that is to bear them away toward the south.
smartingnounUS /ˈsmɑːrtɪŋ/
a kind of pain such as that caused by a wound or a burn or a sore
From this reading The smoke of forest fires hangs low over the surrounding landscape, its acrid fumes smarting the eyes of a little party of six who stand waiting the coming of the train that is to bear them away toward the south.
smokenounUS /smoʊk/
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading The smoke of forest fires hangs low over the surrounding landscape, its acrid fumes smarting the eyes of a little party of six who stand waiting the coming of the train that is to bear them away toward the south.
southnounUS /saʊθ/
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The smoke of forest fires hangs low over the surrounding landscape, its acrid fumes smarting the eyes of a little party of six who stand waiting the coming of the train that is to bear them away toward the south.
standverbUS /stænd/
be standing; be upright
From this reading The smoke of forest fires hangs low over the surrounding landscape, its acrid fumes smarting the eyes of a little party of six who stand waiting the coming of the train that is to bear them away toward the south.
startedverbUS /ˈstɑːrtɪd/
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Twice within the past few minutes he has started absent-mindedly across the tracks in the direction of a near-by swamp, only to be rescued and dragged back by the tireless Mr. Philander.
stationnounUS /ˈsteɪʃən/
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading Ships That Pass Let us go back a few months to the little, windswept platform of a railway station in northern Wisconsin.
strainedadjectiveUS /streɪnd/
lacking natural ease
From this reading Jane Porter, the professor’s daughter, is in strained and lifeless conversation with William Cecil Clayton and Tarzan of the Apes.
surroundingadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋ/
closely encircling
From this reading The smoke of forest fires hangs low over the surrounding landscape, its acrid fumes smarting the eyes of a little party of six who stand waiting the coming of the train that is to bear them away toward the south.
swampverbUS /swɑːmp/
drench or submerge or be drenched or submerged
From this reading Twice within the past few minutes he has started absent-mindedly across the tracks in the direction of a near-by swamp, only to be rescued and dragged back by the tireless Mr. Philander.
TnounUS /tiː/
a base found in DNA (but not in RNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine
From this reading Professor Archimedes Q. Porter, his hands clasped beneath the tails of his long coat, paces back and forth under the ever-watchful eye of his faithful secretary, Mr. Samuel T. Philander.
tailsnounUS /teɪlz/
formalwear consisting of full evening dress for men
From this reading Professor Archimedes Q. Porter, his hands clasped beneath the tails of his long coat, paces back and forth under the ever-watchful eye of his faithful secretary, Mr. Samuel T. Philander.
TarzannounUS /ˈtɑːrzæn/
(sometimes used ironically) a man of great strength and agility (after the hero of a series of novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs)
From this reading Jane Porter, the professor’s daughter, is in strained and lifeless conversation with William Cecil Clayton and Tarzan of the Apes.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Ships That Pass Let us go back a few months to the little, windswept platform of a railway station in northern Wisconsin.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Ships That Pass Let us go back a few months to the little, windswept platform of a railway station in northern Wisconsin.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The smoke of forest fires hangs low over the surrounding landscape, its acrid fumes smarting the eyes of a little party of six who stand waiting the coming of the train that is to bear them away toward the south.
tirelessadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərləs/
showing sustained enthusiastic action with unflagging vitality
From this reading Twice within the past few minutes he has started absent-mindedly across the tracks in the direction of a near-by swamp, only to be rescued and dragged back by the tireless Mr. Philander.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Ships That Pass Let us go back a few months to the little, windswept platform of a railway station in northern Wisconsin.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The smoke of forest fires hangs low over the surrounding landscape, its acrid fumes smarting the eyes of a little party of six who stand waiting the coming of the train that is to bear them away toward the south.
tracksnounUS /træks/
plural of “track” — a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading Twice within the past few minutes he has started absent-mindedly across the tracks in the direction of a near-by swamp, only to be rescued and dragged back by the tireless Mr. Philander.
trainverbUS /treɪn/
create by training and teaching
From this reading The smoke of forest fires hangs low over the surrounding landscape, its acrid fumes smarting the eyes of a little party of six who stand waiting the coming of the train that is to bear them away toward the south.
TwiceadverbUS /twaɪs/
two times
From this reading Twice within the past few minutes he has started absent-mindedly across the tracks in the direction of a near-by swamp, only to be rescued and dragged back by the tireless Mr. Philander.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Professor Archimedes Q. Porter, his hands clasped beneath the tails of his long coat, paces back and forth under the ever-watchful eye of his faithful secretary, Mr. Samuel T. Philander.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Ships That Pass Let us go back a few months to the little, windswept platform of a railway station in northern Wisconsin.
waitingnounUS /ˈweɪtɪŋ/
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading The smoke of forest fires hangs low over the surrounding landscape, its acrid fumes smarting the eyes of a little party of six who stand waiting the coming of the train that is to bear them away toward the south.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The smoke of forest fires hangs low over the surrounding landscape, its acrid fumes smarting the eyes of a little party of six who stand waiting the coming of the train that is to bear them away toward the south.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jane Porter, the professor’s daughter, is in strained and lifeless conversation with William Cecil Clayton and Tarzan of the Apes.
windsweptadjectiveUS /ˈwɪnswept/
open to or swept by wind
From this reading Ships That Pass Let us go back a few months to the little, windswept platform of a railway station in northern Wisconsin.
WisconsinnounUS /wɪˈskɑːnsən/
a tributary of the Mississippi River in Wisconsin
From this reading Ships That Pass Let us go back a few months to the little, windswept platform of a railway station in northern Wisconsin.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Jane Porter, the professor’s daughter, is in strained and lifeless conversation with William Cecil Clayton and Tarzan of the Apes.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Twice within the past few minutes he has started absent-mindedly across the tracks in the direction of a near-by swamp, only to be rescued and dragged back by the tireless Mr. Philander.
