adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “To-day,” says Urda, standing by the little window and watching the dance of the shadows, “a child breathed thrice on a farm at the West, and then it died.”
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “To-day,” says Urda, standing by the little window and watching the dance of the shadows, “a child breathed thrice on a farm at the West, and then it died.”
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Three sledges run over the snow toward Milton,” says Urda; “all are laden with wheat, and in one is a stranger.
armsnounUS /ɑːrmz/
weapons considered collectively
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “To-day,” says Urda, standing by the little window and watching the dance of the shadows, “a child breathed thrice on a farm at the West, and then it died.”
breathedadjectiveUS /briːðd/
uttered without voice
From this reading “To-day,” says Urda, standing by the little window and watching the dance of the shadows, “a child breathed thrice on a farm at the West, and then it died.”
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “To-day,” says Urda, standing by the little window and watching the dance of the shadows, “a child breathed thrice on a farm at the West, and then it died.”
childnounUS /tʃaɪld/
a young person of either sex
From this reading “To-day,” says Urda, standing by the little window and watching the dance of the shadows, “a child breathed thrice on a farm at the West, and then it died.”
Christianson's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
churchnounUS /tʃɜːrtʃ/
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
dancenounUS /dæns/
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading “To-day,” says Urda, standing by the little window and watching the dance of the shadows, “a child breathed thrice on a farm at the West, and then it died.”
diedverbUS /daɪd/
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading “To-day,” says Urda, standing by the little window and watching the dance of the shadows, “a child breathed thrice on a farm at the West, and then it died.”
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He has with him a strange engine, but its purpose I do not know.”
driversnounUS /ˈdraɪvərz/
plural of “driver” — the operator of a motor vehicle
From this reading Six hours later the drivers of three empty sledges stop at the house.
emptyverbUS /ˈempti/
make void or empty of contents
From this reading Six hours later the drivers of three empty sledges stop at the house.
enginenounUS /ˈendʒən/
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading He has with him a strange engine, but its purpose I do not know.”
farmverbUS /fɑːrm/
be a farmer; work as a farmer
From this reading “To-day,” says Urda, standing by the little window and watching the dance of the shadows, “a child breathed thrice on a farm at the West, and then it died.”
gatheringnounUS /ˈɡæðərɪŋ/
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
granddaughternounUS /ˈɡrændɔːtər/
a female grandchild
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He has with him a strange engine, but its purpose I do not know.”
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He has with him a strange engine, but its purpose I do not know.”
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
hoursnounUS /ˈaʊərz/
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Six hours later the drivers of three empty sledges stop at the house.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading He has with him a strange engine, but its purpose I do not know.”
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Three sledges run over the snow toward Milton,” says Urda; “all are laden with wheat, and in one is a stranger.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “To-day,” says Urda, standing by the little window and watching the dance of the shadows, “a child breathed thrice on a farm at the West, and then it died.”
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He has with him a strange engine, but its purpose I do not know.”
JohnnounUS /dʒɑːn/
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He has with him a strange engine, but its purpose I do not know.”
ladenadjectiveUS /ˈleɪdən/
filled with a great quantity
From this reading “Three sledges run over the snow toward Milton,” says Urda; “all are laden with wheat, and in one is a stranger.
lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Six hours later the drivers of three empty sledges stop at the house.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “To-day,” says Urda, standing by the little window and watching the dance of the shadows, “a child breathed thrice on a farm at the West, and then it died.”
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
MiltonnounUS /ˈmɪltən/
English poet; remembered primarily as the author of an epic poem describing humanity's fall from grace (1608-1674)
From this reading “Three sledges run over the snow toward Milton,” says Urda; “all are laden with wheat, and in one is a stranger.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
nextadjectiveUS /nekst/
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He has with him a strange engine, but its purpose I do not know.”
nurse'snounUS /ˈnɜːrsɪz/
possessive form of “nurse” — one skilled in caring for young children or the sick (usually under the supervision of a physician)
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “To-day,” says Urda, standing by the little window and watching the dance of the shadows, “a child breathed thrice on a farm at the West, and then it died.”
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “To-day,” says Urda, standing by the little window and watching the dance of the shadows, “a child breathed thrice on a farm at the West, and then it died.”
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “Three sledges run over the snow toward Milton,” says Urda; “all are laden with wheat, and in one is a stranger.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading “Three sledges run over the snow toward Milton,” says Urda; “all are laden with wheat, and in one is a stranger.
purposenounUS /ˈpɜːrpəs/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading He has with him a strange engine, but its purpose I do not know.”
runverbUS /rʌn/
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading “Three sledges run over the snow toward Milton,” says Urda; “all are laden with wheat, and in one is a stranger.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
saysnounUS /sez/
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading “To-day,” says Urda, standing by the little window and watching the dance of the shadows, “a child breathed thrice on a farm at the West, and then it died.”
shadowsnounUS /ˈʃædoʊz/
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading “To-day,” says Urda, standing by the little window and watching the dance of the shadows, “a child breathed thrice on a farm at the West, and then it died.”
SixnounUS /sɪks/
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Six hours later the drivers of three empty sledges stop at the house.
sledges
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
snownounUS /snoʊ/
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading “Three sledges run over the snow toward Milton,” says Urda; “all are laden with wheat, and in one is a stranger.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
sonnounUS /sʌn/
a male human offspring
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
standingadjectiveUS /ˈstændɪŋ/
having a supporting base
From this reading “To-day,” says Urda, standing by the little window and watching the dance of the shadows, “a child breathed thrice on a farm at the West, and then it died.”
stopverbUS /stɑːp/
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading Six hours later the drivers of three empty sledges stop at the house.
stoppedadjectiveUS /stɑːpt/
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
strangeadjectiveUS /streɪndʒ/
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading He has with him a strange engine, but its purpose I do not know.”
strangernounUS /ˈstreɪndʒər/
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading “Three sledges run over the snow toward Milton,” says Urda; “all are laden with wheat, and in one is a stranger.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “To-day,” says Urda, standing by the little window and watching the dance of the shadows, “a child breathed thrice on a farm at the West, and then it died.”
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading “To-day,” says Urda, standing by the little window and watching the dance of the shadows, “a child breathed thrice on a farm at the West, and then it died.”
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
ThreenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading “Three sledges run over the snow toward Milton,” says Urda; “all are laden with wheat, and in one is a stranger.
thriceadverbUS /θraɪs/
three times
From this reading “To-day,” says Urda, standing by the little window and watching the dance of the shadows, “a child breathed thrice on a farm at the West, and then it died.”
To-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “To-day,” says Urda, standing by the little window and watching the dance of the shadows, “a child breathed thrice on a farm at the West, and then it died.”
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading “Three sledges run over the snow toward Milton,” says Urda; “all are laden with wheat, and in one is a stranger.
Urda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “To-day,” says Urda, standing by the little window and watching the dance of the shadows, “a child breathed thrice on a farm at the West, and then it died.”
Urda's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
voicenounUS /vɔɪs/
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
watchingnounUS /ˈwɑːtʃɪŋ/
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading “To-day,” says Urda, standing by the little window and watching the dance of the shadows, “a child breathed thrice on a farm at the West, and then it died.”
weeknounUS /wiːk/
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
WestnounUS /west/
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading “To-day,” says Urda, standing by the little window and watching the dance of the shadows, “a child breathed thrice on a farm at the West, and then it died.”
wheatnounUS /wiːt/
annual or biennial grass having erect flower spikes and light brown grains
From this reading “Three sledges run over the snow toward Milton,” says Urda; “all are laden with wheat, and in one is a stranger.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
wifenounUS /waɪf/
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading The next week at the church gathering, when all the sledges stopped at the house of Urda's granddaughter, they said it was so--that John Christianson's wife Margaret never heard the voice of her son, but that he breathed thrice in his nurse's arms and died.
windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading “To-day,” says Urda, standing by the little window and watching the dance of the shadows, “a child breathed thrice on a farm at the West, and then it died.”
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Three sledges run over the snow toward Milton,” says Urda; “all are laden with wheat, and in one is a stranger.
