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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
absolute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
accidentally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first he had looked for trouble—the veiled treachery of some gun-man, happening in on him accidentally, or an armed attack from Old Crit's cowboys—but now he would welcome the appearance of Crit himself.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading At first he had looked for trouble—the veiled treachery of some gun-man, happening in on him accidentally, or an armed attack from Old Crit's cowboys—but now he would welcome the appearance of Crit himself.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading At first he had looked for trouble—the veiled treachery of some gun-man, happening in on him accidentally, or an armed attack from Old Crit's cowboys—but now he would welcome the appearance of Crit himself.
armed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first he had looked for trouble—the veiled treachery of some gun-man, happening in on him accidentally, or an armed attack from Old Crit's cowboys—but now he would welcome the appearance of Crit himself.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first he had looked for trouble—the veiled treachery of some gun-man, happening in on him accidentally, or an armed attack from Old Crit's cowboys—but now he would welcome the appearance of Crit himself.
attack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first he had looked for trouble—the veiled treachery of some gun-man, happening in on him accidentally, or an armed attack from Old Crit's cowboys—but now he would welcome the appearance of Crit himself.
awkwardly
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From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
bad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
basked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
bawling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
broke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
building
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a week Pecos had idled about his cave, now building pole houses to protect his provisions from the rats, now going out to the point to watch the Verde trail, until the emptiness of it had maddened him.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At first he had looked for trouble—the veiled treachery of some gun-man, happening in on him accidentally, or an armed attack from Old Crit's cowboys—but now he would welcome the appearance of Crit himself.
buzzards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
cave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
CAÑON
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
chafing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
cliffs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
confined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
cowboys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first he had looked for trouble—the veiled treachery of some gun-man, happening in on him accidentally, or an armed attack from Old Crit's cowboys—but now he would welcome the appearance of Crit himself.
cows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
creek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
Crit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first he had looked for trouble—the veiled treachery of some gun-man, happening in on him accidentally, or an armed attack from Old Crit's cowboys—but now he would welcome the appearance of Crit himself.
Crit's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first he had looked for trouble—the veiled treachery of some gun-man, happening in on him accidentally, or an armed attack from Old Crit's cowboys—but now he would welcome the appearance of Crit himself.
Dalhart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
deep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
devil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
DOG
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
dreary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
drift
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
echoed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
emptiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a week Pecos had idled about his cave, now building pole houses to protect his provisions from the rats, now going out to the point to watch the Verde trail, until the emptiness of it had maddened him.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
feathers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
fence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At first he had looked for trouble—the veiled treachery of some gun-man, happening in on him accidentally, or an armed attack from Old Crit's cowboys—but now he would welcome the appearance of Crit himself.
flock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a week Pecos had idled about his cave, now building pole houses to protect his provisions from the rats, now going out to the point to watch the Verde trail, until the emptiness of it had maddened him.
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a week Pecos had idled about his cave, now building pole houses to protect his provisions from the rats, now going out to the point to watch the Verde trail, until the emptiness of it had maddened him.
gun-man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first he had looked for trouble—the veiled treachery of some gun-man, happening in on him accidentally, or an armed attack from Old Crit's cowboys—but now he would welcome the appearance of Crit himself.
gurgling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For a week Pecos had idled about his cave, now building pole houses to protect his provisions from the rats, now going out to the point to watch the Verde trail, until the emptiness of it had maddened him.
happening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first he had looked for trouble—the veiled treachery of some gun-man, happening in on him accidentally, or an armed attack from Old Crit's cowboys—but now he would welcome the appearance of Crit himself.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At first he had looked for trouble—the veiled treachery of some gun-man, happening in on him accidentally, or an armed attack from Old Crit's cowboys—but now he would welcome the appearance of Crit himself.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading At first he had looked for trouble—the veiled treachery of some gun-man, happening in on him accidentally, or an armed attack from Old Crit's cowboys—but now he would welcome the appearance of Crit himself.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
hollow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
hopping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a week Pecos had idled about his cave, now building pole houses to protect his provisions from the rats, now going out to the point to watch the Verde trail, until the emptiness of it had maddened him.
idled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a week Pecos had idled about his cave, now building pole houses to protect his provisions from the rats, now going out to the point to watch the Verde trail, until the emptiness of it had maddened him.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
ineffectual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
loafers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
loneliness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At first he had looked for trouble—the veiled treachery of some gun-man, happening in on him accidentally, or an armed attack from Old Crit's cowboys—but now he would welcome the appearance of Crit himself.
LOST
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
maddened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a week Pecos had idled about his cave, now building pole houses to protect his provisions from the rats, now going out to the point to watch the Verde trail, until the emptiness of it had maddened him.
meditations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
murmuring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
mysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/
difficult to explain or understand
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a week Pecos had idled about his cave, now building pole houses to protect his provisions from the rats, now going out to the point to watch the Verde trail, until the emptiness of it had maddened him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
Old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first he had looked for trouble—the veiled treachery of some gun-man, happening in on him accidentally, or an armed attack from Old Crit's cowboys—but now he would welcome the appearance of Crit himself.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a week Pecos had idled about his cave, now building pole houses to protect his provisions from the rats, now going out to the point to watch the Verde trail, until the emptiness of it had maddened him.
pall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
Pecos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
persistence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
petty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading For a week Pecos had idled about his cave, now building pole houses to protect his provisions from the rats, now going out to the point to watch the Verde trail, until the emptiness of it had maddened him.
pole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a week Pecos had idled about his cave, now building pole houses to protect his provisions from the rats, now going out to the point to watch the Verde trail, until the emptiness of it had maddened him.
preening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
protect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a week Pecos had idled about his cave, now building pole houses to protect his provisions from the rats, now going out to the point to watch the Verde trail, until the emptiness of it had maddened him.
provisions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a week Pecos had idled about his cave, now building pole houses to protect his provisions from the rats, now going out to the point to watch the Verde trail, until the emptiness of it had maddened him.
quarrels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
rats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a week Pecos had idled about his cave, now building pole houses to protect his provisions from the rats, now going out to the point to watch the Verde trail, until the emptiness of it had maddened him.
rim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
row
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
rumbling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
rusty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
shabby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
sprawling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
stirring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
subterraneanadjectiveUS /ˌsʌb.təˈreɪ.ni.ən/
Existing, occurring, or done under the earth's surface.
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
tawdry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
trail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a week Pecos had idled about his cave, now building pole houses to protect his provisions from the rats, now going out to the point to watch the Verde trail, until the emptiness of it had maddened him.
treacherynounUS /ˈtrɛtʃəri/
betrayal of trust
From this reading At first he had looked for trouble—the veiled treachery of some gun-man, happening in on him accidentally, or an armed attack from Old Crit's cowboys—but now he would welcome the appearance of Crit himself.
trouble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first he had looked for trouble—the veiled treachery of some gun-man, happening in on him accidentally, or an armed attack from Old Crit's cowboys—but now he would welcome the appearance of Crit himself.
uneasy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading For a week Pecos had idled about his cave, now building pole houses to protect his provisions from the rats, now going out to the point to watch the Verde trail, until the emptiness of it had maddened him.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
veiled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first he had looked for trouble—the veiled treachery of some gun-man, happening in on him accidentally, or an armed attack from Old Crit's cowboys—but now he would welcome the appearance of Crit himself.
Verde
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a week Pecos had idled about his cave, now building pole houses to protect his provisions from the rats, now going out to the point to watch the Verde trail, until the emptiness of it had maddened him.
voices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the rim of the black cañon wall that rose against him a flock of buzzards sat in a tawdry row, preening their rusty feathers or hopping awkwardly about in petty, ineffectual quarrels—as shabby a set of loafers as ever basked in the sun.
watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a week Pecos had idled about his cave, now building pole houses to protect his provisions from the rats, now going out to the point to watch the Verde trail, until the emptiness of it had maddened him.
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a week Pecos had idled about his cave, now building pole houses to protect his provisions from the rats, now going out to the point to watch the Verde trail, until the emptiness of it had maddened him.
welcome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first he had looked for trouble—the veiled treachery of some gun-man, happening in on him accidentally, or an armed attack from Old Crit's cowboys—but now he would welcome the appearance of Crit himself.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading LOST DOG CAÑON The silence of absolute loneliness lay upon Lost Dog Cañon like a pall and to Pecos Dalhart, sprawling in the door of his cave, it seemed as if mysterious voices were murmuring to each other behind the hollow gurgling of the creek.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading From far down the cañon the bawling of cows, chafing against the drift fence, echoed with dreary persistence among the cliffs, and the deep subterranean rumbling which gave the place its bad name broke in upon his meditations like the stirring of some uneasy devil confined below.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading At first he had looked for trouble—the veiled treachery of some gun-man, happening in on him accidentally, or an armed attack from Old Crit's cowboys—but now he would welcome the appearance of Crit himself.
