adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was as if the desert had purposely dropped a curtain before his past and would show him none of his future.
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/
anew
From this reading Whereat Casey Ryan grinned, took a chew of tobacco and was himself again.
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 Great, gaunt "Joshua" trees stood in grotesque groups all up and down the narrow valley, hiding the way he had come from the way he would go.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He climbed stiffly out, squinted at the sky line, which was jagged, and at his immediate surroundings, which were barren and lonely and soothing to his soul that hungered for these things.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was as if the desert had purposely dropped a curtain before his past and would show him none of his future.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He climbed stiffly out, squinted at the sky line, which was jagged, and at his immediate surroundings, which were barren and lonely and soothing to his soul that hungered for these things.
barrenadjectiveUS /ˈbærən/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading He climbed stiffly out, squinted at the sky line, which was jagged, and at his immediate surroundings, which were barren and lonely and soothing to his soul that hungered for these things.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was as if the desert had purposely dropped a curtain before his past and would show him none of his future.
Casey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whereat Casey Ryan grinned, took a chew of tobacco and was himself again.
chewverbUS /tʃuː/
chew (food); to bite and grind with the teeth
From this reading Whereat Casey Ryan grinned, took a chew of tobacco and was himself again.
climbedverbUS /klaɪmd/
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading He climbed stiffly out, squinted at the sky line, which was jagged, and at his immediate surroundings, which were barren and lonely and soothing to his soul that hungered for these things.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Great, gaunt "Joshua" trees stood in grotesque groups all up and down the narrow valley, hiding the way he had come from the way he would go.
curtainnounUS /ˈkɜːrtən/
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading It was as if the desert had purposely dropped a curtain before his past and would show him none of his future.
desertverbUS /ˈdezərt/
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading It was as if the desert had purposely dropped a curtain before his past and would show him none of his future.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Great, gaunt "Joshua" trees stood in grotesque groups all up and down the narrow valley, hiding the way he had come from the way he would go.
droppedverbUS /drɑːpt/
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading It was as if the desert had purposely dropped a curtain before his past and would show him none of his future.
emnounUS /em/
a quad with a square body
From this reading "If they wanta come pinch me here, I'll meet 'em man to man.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He climbed stiffly out, squinted at the sky line, which was jagged, and at his immediate surroundings, which were barren and lonely and soothing to his soul that hungered for these things.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Great, gaunt "Joshua" trees stood in grotesque groups all up and down the narrow valley, hiding the way he had come from the way he would go.
futureadjectiveUS /ˈfjuːtʃər/
yet to be or coming
From this reading It was as if the desert had purposely dropped a curtain before his past and would show him none of his future.
gauntadjectiveUS /ɡɔːnt/
very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
From this reading Great, gaunt "Joshua" trees stood in grotesque groups all up and down the narrow valley, hiding the way he had come from the way he would go.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Great, gaunt "Joshua" trees stood in grotesque groups all up and down the narrow valley, hiding the way he had come from the way he would go.
GreatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Great, gaunt "Joshua" trees stood in grotesque groups all up and down the narrow valley, hiding the way he had come from the way he would go.
grinnedverbUS /ɡrɪnd/
inflected form of “grin” — to draw back the lips and reveal the teeth, in a smile, grimace, or snarl
From this reading Whereat Casey Ryan grinned, took a chew of tobacco and was himself again.
grotesqueadjectiveUS /ɡroʊˈtesk/
distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
From this reading Great, gaunt "Joshua" trees stood in grotesque groups all up and down the narrow valley, hiding the way he had come from the way he would go.
groupsnounUS /ɡruːps/
plural of “group” — any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading Great, gaunt "Joshua" trees stood in grotesque groups all up and down the narrow valley, hiding the way he had come from the way he would go.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Great, gaunt "Joshua" trees stood in grotesque groups all up and down the narrow valley, hiding the way he had come from the way he would go.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He climbed stiffly out, squinted at the sky line, which was jagged, and at his immediate surroundings, which were barren and lonely and soothing to his soul that hungered for these things.
hereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "If they wanta come pinch me here, I'll meet 'em man to man.
hidingnounUS /ˈhaɪdɪŋ/
the activity of keeping something secret
From this reading Great, gaunt "Joshua" trees stood in grotesque groups all up and down the narrow valley, hiding the way he had come from the way he would go.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was as if the desert had purposely dropped a curtain before his past and would show him none of his future.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Whereat Casey Ryan grinned, took a chew of tobacco and was himself again.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He climbed stiffly out, squinted at the sky line, which was jagged, and at his immediate surroundings, which were barren and lonely and soothing to his soul that hungered for these things.
hungered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He climbed stiffly out, squinted at the sky line, which was jagged, and at his immediate surroundings, which were barren and lonely and soothing to his soul that hungered for these things.
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If they wanta come pinch me here, I'll meet 'em man to man.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was as if the desert had purposely dropped a curtain before his past and would show him none of his future.
immediateadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmiːdiːət/
of the present time and place
From this reading He climbed stiffly out, squinted at the sky line, which was jagged, and at his immediate surroundings, which were barren and lonely and soothing to his soul that hungered for these things.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Great, gaunt "Joshua" trees stood in grotesque groups all up and down the narrow valley, hiding the way he had come from the way he would go.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was as if the desert had purposely dropped a curtain before his past and would show him none of his future.
jaggedadjectiveUS /ˈdʒæɡəd/
having a sharply uneven surface or outline
From this reading He climbed stiffly out, squinted at the sky line, which was jagged, and at his immediate surroundings, which were barren and lonely and soothing to his soul that hungered for these things.
JoshuanounUS /ˈdʒɑːʃuːə/
(Old Testament) Moses' successor who led the Israelites into the Promised Land; best remembered for his destruction of Jericho
From this reading Great, gaunt "Joshua" trees stood in grotesque groups all up and down the narrow valley, hiding the way he had come from the way he would go.
linenounUS /laɪn/
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading He climbed stiffly out, squinted at the sky line, which was jagged, and at his immediate surroundings, which were barren and lonely and soothing to his soul that hungered for these things.
lonelyadjectiveUS /ˈloʊnli/
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading He climbed stiffly out, squinted at the sky line, which was jagged, and at his immediate surroundings, which were barren and lonely and soothing to his soul that hungered for these things.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "If they wanta come pinch me here, I'll meet 'em man to man.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "If they wanta come pinch me here, I'll meet 'em man to man.
meetverbUS /miːt/
come together
From this reading "If they wanta come pinch me here, I'll meet 'em man to man.
narrowverbUS /ˈneroʊ/
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading Great, gaunt "Joshua" trees stood in grotesque groups all up and down the narrow valley, hiding the way he had come from the way he would go.
nonepronounUS /nʌn/
not one, and not any
From this reading It was as if the desert had purposely dropped a curtain before his past and would show him none of his future.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was as if the desert had purposely dropped a curtain before his past and would show him none of his future.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He climbed stiffly out, squinted at the sky line, which was jagged, and at his immediate surroundings, which were barren and lonely and soothing to his soul that hungered for these things.
pastnounUS /pæst/
the time that has elapsed
From this reading It was as if the desert had purposely dropped a curtain before his past and would show him none of his future.
pinchverbUS /pɪntʃ/
squeeze tightly between the fingers
From this reading "If they wanta come pinch me here, I'll meet 'em man to man.
purposelyadverbUS /ˈpɜːrpəsli/
with intention; in an intentional manner
From this reading It was as if the desert had purposely dropped a curtain before his past and would show him none of his future.
Ryan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whereat Casey Ryan grinned, took a chew of tobacco and was himself again.
showverbUS /ʃoʊ/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading It was as if the desert had purposely dropped a curtain before his past and would show him none of his future.
skynounUS /skaɪ/
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading He climbed stiffly out, squinted at the sky line, which was jagged, and at his immediate surroundings, which were barren and lonely and soothing to his soul that hungered for these things.
soothingadjectiveUS /ˈsuːðɪŋ/
affording physical relief
From this reading He climbed stiffly out, squinted at the sky line, which was jagged, and at his immediate surroundings, which were barren and lonely and soothing to his soul that hungered for these things.
soulnounUS /soʊl/
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading He climbed stiffly out, squinted at the sky line, which was jagged, and at his immediate surroundings, which were barren and lonely and soothing to his soul that hungered for these things.
squinted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He climbed stiffly out, squinted at the sky line, which was jagged, and at his immediate surroundings, which were barren and lonely and soothing to his soul that hungered for these things.
stifflyadverbUS /ˈstɪfli/
in a stiff manner
From this reading He climbed stiffly out, squinted at the sky line, which was jagged, and at his immediate surroundings, which were barren and lonely and soothing to his soul that hungered for these things.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Great, gaunt "Joshua" trees stood in grotesque groups all up and down the narrow valley, hiding the way he had come from the way he would go.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading He climbed stiffly out, squinted at the sky line, which was jagged, and at his immediate surroundings, which were barren and lonely and soothing to his soul that hungered for these things.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He climbed stiffly out, squinted at the sky line, which was jagged, and at his immediate surroundings, which were barren and lonely and soothing to his soul that hungered for these things.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He climbed stiffly out, squinted at the sky line, which was jagged, and at his immediate surroundings, which were barren and lonely and soothing to his soul that hungered for these things.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading He climbed stiffly out, squinted at the sky line, which was jagged, and at his immediate surroundings, which were barren and lonely and soothing to his soul that hungered for these things.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "If they wanta come pinch me here, I'll meet 'em man to man.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading He climbed stiffly out, squinted at the sky line, which was jagged, and at his immediate surroundings, which were barren and lonely and soothing to his soul that hungered for these things.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He climbed stiffly out, squinted at the sky line, which was jagged, and at his immediate surroundings, which were barren and lonely and soothing to his soul that hungered for these things.
tobacconounUS /təˈbækoʊ/
leaves of the tobacco plant dried and prepared for smoking or ingestion
From this reading Whereat Casey Ryan grinned, took a chew of tobacco and was himself again.
tookverbUS /tʊk/
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Whereat Casey Ryan grinned, took a chew of tobacco and was himself again.
treesnounUS /triːz/
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Great, gaunt "Joshua" trees stood in grotesque groups all up and down the narrow valley, hiding the way he had come from the way he would go.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Great, gaunt "Joshua" trees stood in grotesque groups all up and down the narrow valley, hiding the way he had come from the way he would go.
valleynounUS /ˈvæli/
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading Great, gaunt "Joshua" trees stood in grotesque groups all up and down the narrow valley, hiding the way he had come from the way he would go.
wanta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If they wanta come pinch me here, I'll meet 'em man to man.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He climbed stiffly out, squinted at the sky line, which was jagged, and at his immediate surroundings, which were barren and lonely and soothing to his soul that hungered for these things.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Great, gaunt "Joshua" trees stood in grotesque groups all up and down the narrow valley, hiding the way he had come from the way he would go.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He climbed stiffly out, squinted at the sky line, which was jagged, and at his immediate surroundings, which were barren and lonely and soothing to his soul that hungered for these things.
Whereat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whereat Casey Ryan grinned, took a chew of tobacco and was himself again.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He climbed stiffly out, squinted at the sky line, which was jagged, and at his immediate surroundings, which were barren and lonely and soothing to his soul that hungered for these things.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Great, gaunt "Joshua" trees stood in grotesque groups all up and down the narrow valley, hiding the way he had come from the way he would go.
