adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading They had about them a strong scent of horses.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Since the night when old Joe Cumberland died and Kate Cumberland rode off after her wild man, Ben Swann, the foreman of the Cumberland ranch, had lived in the big house.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Since the night when old Joe Cumberland died and Kate Cumberland rode off after her wild man, Ben Swann, the foreman of the Cumberland ranch, had lived in the big house.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
beatingnounUS /ˈbiːtɪŋ/
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading It was Ben Swann, therefore, who ran down and flung open the door, on which a heavy hand was beating.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
BennounUS /ben/
a mountain or tall hill
From this reading Since the night when old Joe Cumberland died and Kate Cumberland rode off after her wild man, Ben Swann, the foreman of the Cumberland ranch, had lived in the big house.
Ben'snounUS /benz/
possessive form of “ben” — a mountain or tall hill
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
besidesprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪdz/
in addition to; as well as
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Since the night when old Joe Cumberland died and Kate Cumberland rode off after her wild man, Ben Swann, the foreman of the Cumberland ranch, had lived in the big house.
bunkhouse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
cardsnounUS /kɑːrdz/
a game played with playing cards
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
comfortableadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmfərtəbəl/
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
CumberlandnounUS /ˈkʌmbərlənd/
English general; son of George II; fought unsuccessfully in the battle of Fontenoy (1721-1765)
From this reading Since the night when old Joe Cumberland died and Kate Cumberland rode off after her wild man, Ben Swann, the foreman of the Cumberland ranch, had lived in the big house.
diedverbUS /daɪd/
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading Since the night when old Joe Cumberland died and Kate Cumberland rode off after her wild man, Ben Swann, the foreman of the Cumberland ranch, had lived in the big house.
dignitynounUS /ˈdɪɡnəti/
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading It was Ben Swann, therefore, who ran down and flung open the door, on which a heavy hand was beating.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading It was Ben Swann, therefore, who ran down and flung open the door, on which a heavy hand was beating.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
flungverbUS /flʌŋ/
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading It was Ben Swann, therefore, who ran down and flung open the door, on which a heavy hand was beating.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
foremannounUS /ˈfɔːrmən/
a person who exercises control over workers
From this reading Since the night when old Joe Cumberland died and Kate Cumberland rode off after her wild man, Ben Swann, the foreman of the Cumberland ranch, had lived in the big house.
giantnounUS /ˈdʒaɪənt/
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading Outside stood two men, very tall, taller than himself, and one of them a giant.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
grewverbUS /ɡruː/
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Since the night when old Joe Cumberland died and Kate Cumberland rode off after her wild man, Ben Swann, the foreman of the Cumberland ranch, had lived in the big house.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading It was Ben Swann, therefore, who ran down and flung open the door, on which a heavy hand was beating.
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 He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading It was Ben Swann, therefore, who ran down and flung open the door, on which a heavy hand was beating.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Since the night when old Joe Cumberland died and Kate Cumberland rode off after her wild man, Ben Swann, the foreman of the Cumberland ranch, had lived in the big house.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Outside stood two men, very tall, taller than himself, and one of them a giant.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
horsesnounUS /ˈhɔːrsəz/
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading They had about them a strong scent of horses.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Since the night when old Joe Cumberland died and Kate Cumberland rode off after her wild man, Ben Swann, the foreman of the Cumberland ranch, had lived in the big house.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Since the night when old Joe Cumberland died and Kate Cumberland rode off after her wild man, Ben Swann, the foreman of the Cumberland ranch, had lived in the big house.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since the night when old Joe Cumberland died and Kate Cumberland rode off after her wild man, Ben Swann, the foreman of the Cumberland ranch, had lived in the big house.
Kate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since the night when old Joe Cumberland died and Kate Cumberland rode off after her wild man, Ben Swann, the foreman of the Cumberland ranch, had lived in the big house.
livedverbUS /lɪvd/
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Since the night when old Joe Cumberland died and Kate Cumberland rode off after her wild man, Ben Swann, the foreman of the Cumberland ranch, had lived in the big house.
lonelyadjectiveUS /ˈloʊnli/
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Since the night when old Joe Cumberland died and Kate Cumberland rode off after her wild man, Ben Swann, the foreman of the Cumberland ranch, had lived in the big house.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading Outside stood two men, very tall, taller than himself, and one of them a giant.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
naturaladjectiveUS /ˈnætʃərəl/
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Since the night when old Joe Cumberland died and Kate Cumberland rode off after her wild man, Ben Swann, the foreman of the Cumberland ranch, had lived in the big house.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Since the night when old Joe Cumberland died and Kate Cumberland rode off after her wild man, Ben Swann, the foreman of the Cumberland ranch, had lived in the big house.
offadverbUS /ɔːf/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Since the night when old Joe Cumberland died and Kate Cumberland rode off after her wild man, Ben Swann, the foreman of the Cumberland ranch, had lived in the big house.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Since the night when old Joe Cumberland died and Kate Cumberland rode off after her wild man, Ben Swann, the foreman of the Cumberland ranch, had lived in the big house.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was Ben Swann, therefore, who ran down and flung open the door, on which a heavy hand was beating.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Outside stood two men, very tall, taller than himself, and one of them a giant.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading It was Ben Swann, therefore, who ran down and flung open the door, on which a heavy hand was beating.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
OutsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Outside stood two men, very tall, taller than himself, and one of them a giant.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
playingnounUS /ˈpleɪɪŋ/
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
ranverbUS /ræn/
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading It was Ben Swann, therefore, who ran down and flung open the door, on which a heavy hand was beating.
ranchnounUS /ræntʃ/
farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading Since the night when old Joe Cumberland died and Kate Cumberland rode off after her wild man, Ben Swann, the foreman of the Cumberland ranch, had lived in the big house.
rodeverbUS /roʊd/
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading Since the night when old Joe Cumberland died and Kate Cumberland rode off after her wild man, Ben Swann, the foreman of the Cumberland ranch, had lived in the big house.
scentnounUS /sɛnt/
A distinctive smell or aroma.
From this reading They had about them a strong scent of horses.
shamenounUS /ʃeɪm/
a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Since the night when old Joe Cumberland died and Kate Cumberland rode off after her wild man, Ben Swann, the foreman of the Cumberland ranch, had lived in the big house.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
spacenounUS /speɪs/
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Outside stood two men, very tall, taller than himself, and one of them a giant.
strongadjectiveUS /strɔːŋ/
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading They had about them a strong scent of horses.
Swann
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since the night when old Joe Cumberland died and Kate Cumberland rode off after her wild man, Ben Swann, the foreman of the Cumberland ranch, had lived in the big house.
talladjectiveUS /tɔːl/
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Outside stood two men, very tall, taller than himself, and one of them a giant.
talleradjectiveUS /ˈtɔːlər/
comparative of “tall” — great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Outside stood two men, very tall, taller than himself, and one of them a giant.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Outside stood two men, very tall, taller than himself, and one of them a giant.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Since the night when old Joe Cumberland died and Kate Cumberland rode off after her wild man, Ben Swann, the foreman of the Cumberland ranch, had lived in the big house.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Outside stood two men, very tall, taller than himself, and one of them a giant.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading It was Ben Swann, therefore, who ran down and flung open the door, on which a heavy hand was beating.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had about them a strong scent of horses.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Outside stood two men, very tall, taller than himself, and one of them a giant.
vaguelyadverbUS /ˈveɪɡli/
in a vague way
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
vastlyadverbUS /ˈvæstli/
to an exceedingly great extent or degree
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading Outside stood two men, very tall, taller than himself, and one of them a giant.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
wastenounUS /weɪst/
any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Since the night when old Joe Cumberland died and Kate Cumberland rode off after her wild man, Ben Swann, the foreman of the Cumberland ranch, had lived in the big house.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was Ben Swann, therefore, who ran down and flung open the door, on which a heavy hand was beating.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It was Ben Swann, therefore, who ran down and flung open the door, on which a heavy hand was beating.
wildadjectiveUS /waɪld/
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading Since the night when old Joe Cumberland died and Kate Cumberland rode off after her wild man, Ben Swann, the foreman of the Cumberland ranch, had lived in the big house.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He would have been vastly more comfortable in the bunkhouse playing cards with the other hands, but Ben Swann felt vaguely that it was a shame for so much space in the ranch house to go to waste, and besides, Ben's natural dignity was at home in the place even if his mind grew lonely.
