Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Sometimes--still keeping to the simile--it was but a pebble or two kicked loose by Ford's heel; sometimes a bowlder which one must dodge.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mose had sobered to the point where he wondered how it had all happened, and wanted to get his hands in the wool of the "nigger" said to lurk in woodpiles.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was as if the "hill" which Ford was climbing suffered small landslides here and there, which threatened to block the trail below.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Climb Into its groove of routine slipped life at the Double Cross, but it did not move quite as smoothly as before.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The Climb Into its groove of routine slipped life at the Double Cross, but it did not move quite as smoothly as before.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The Climb Into its groove of routine slipped life at the Double Cross, but it did not move quite as smoothly as before.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading It was as if the "hill" which Ford was climbing suffered small landslides here and there, which threatened to block the trail below.
block
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the "hill" which Ford was climbing suffered small landslides here and there, which threatened to block the trail below.
bowlder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes--still keeping to the simile--it was but a pebble or two kicked loose by Ford's heel; sometimes a bowlder which one must dodge.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Climb Into its groove of routine slipped life at the Double Cross, but it did not move quite as smoothly as before.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Sometimes--still keeping to the simile--it was but a pebble or two kicked loose by Ford's heel; sometimes a bowlder which one must dodge.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dick, for instance, must have likened Mose to a real landslide when he came at him the next day, with a roar of rage and the rolling-pin.
Climb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Climb Into its groove of routine slipped life at the Double Cross, but it did not move quite as smoothly as before.
climbing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the "hill" which Ford was climbing suffered small landslides here and there, which threatened to block the trail below.
Cross
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Climb Into its groove of routine slipped life at the Double Cross, but it did not move quite as smoothly as before.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dick, for instance, must have likened Mose to a real landslide when he came at him the next day, with a roar of rage and the rolling-pin.
Dick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dick, for instance, must have likened Mose to a real landslide when he came at him the next day, with a roar of rage and the rolling-pin.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The Climb Into its groove of routine slipped life at the Double Cross, but it did not move quite as smoothly as before.
dodge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes--still keeping to the simile--it was but a pebble or two kicked loose by Ford's heel; sometimes a bowlder which one must dodge.
Double
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Climb Into its groove of routine slipped life at the Double Cross, but it did not move quite as smoothly as before.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Dick, for instance, must have likened Mose to a real landslide when he came at him the next day, with a roar of rage and the rolling-pin.
Ford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the "hill" which Ford was climbing suffered small landslides here and there, which threatened to block the trail below.
Ford's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes--still keeping to the simile--it was but a pebble or two kicked loose by Ford's heel; sometimes a bowlder which one must dodge.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mose had sobered to the point where he wondered how it had all happened, and wanted to get his hands in the wool of the "nigger" said to lurk in woodpiles.
groove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Climb Into its groove of routine slipped life at the Double Cross, but it did not move quite as smoothly as before.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mose had sobered to the point where he wondered how it had all happened, and wanted to get his hands in the wool of the "nigger" said to lurk in woodpiles.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading Mose had sobered to the point where he wondered how it had all happened, and wanted to get his hands in the wool of the "nigger" said to lurk in woodpiles.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mose had sobered to the point where he wondered how it had all happened, and wanted to get his hands in the wool of the "nigger" said to lurk in woodpiles.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Dick, for instance, must have likened Mose to a real landslide when he came at him the next day, with a roar of rage and the rolling-pin.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Dick, for instance, must have likened Mose to a real landslide when he came at him the next day, with a roar of rage and the rolling-pin.
heel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes--still keeping to the simile--it was but a pebble or two kicked loose by Ford's heel; sometimes a bowlder which one must dodge.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was as if the "hill" which Ford was climbing suffered small landslides here and there, which threatened to block the trail below.
hill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the "hill" which Ford was climbing suffered small landslides here and there, which threatened to block the trail below.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Dick, for instance, must have likened Mose to a real landslide when he came at him the next day, with a roar of rage and the rolling-pin.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mose had sobered to the point where he wondered how it had all happened, and wanted to get his hands in the wool of the "nigger" said to lurk in woodpiles.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mose had sobered to the point where he wondered how it had all happened, and wanted to get his hands in the wool of the "nigger" said to lurk in woodpiles.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was as if the "hill" which Ford was climbing suffered small landslides here and there, which threatened to block the trail below.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mose had sobered to the point where he wondered how it had all happened, and wanted to get his hands in the wool of the "nigger" said to lurk in woodpiles.
instance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dick, for instance, must have likened Mose to a real landslide when he came at him the next day, with a roar of rage and the rolling-pin.
IntoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The Climb Into its groove of routine slipped life at the Double Cross, but it did not move quite as smoothly as before.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The Climb Into its groove of routine slipped life at the Double Cross, but it did not move quite as smoothly as before.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The Climb Into its groove of routine slipped life at the Double Cross, but it did not move quite as smoothly as before.
keeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes--still keeping to the simile--it was but a pebble or two kicked loose by Ford's heel; sometimes a bowlder which one must dodge.
kicked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes--still keeping to the simile--it was but a pebble or two kicked loose by Ford's heel; sometimes a bowlder which one must dodge.
landslide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dick, for instance, must have likened Mose to a real landslide when he came at him the next day, with a roar of rage and the rolling-pin.
landslides
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the "hill" which Ford was climbing suffered small landslides here and there, which threatened to block the trail below.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Climb Into its groove of routine slipped life at the Double Cross, but it did not move quite as smoothly as before.
likened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dick, for instance, must have likened Mose to a real landslide when he came at him the next day, with a roar of rage and the rolling-pin.
loose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes--still keeping to the simile--it was but a pebble or two kicked loose by Ford's heel; sometimes a bowlder which one must dodge.
lurk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mose had sobered to the point where he wondered how it had all happened, and wanted to get his hands in the wool of the "nigger" said to lurk in woodpiles.
Mose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dick, for instance, must have likened Mose to a real landslide when he came at him the next day, with a roar of rage and the rolling-pin.
move
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Climb Into its groove of routine slipped life at the Double Cross, but it did not move quite as smoothly as before.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Sometimes--still keeping to the simile--it was but a pebble or two kicked loose by Ford's heel; sometimes a bowlder which one must dodge.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Dick, for instance, must have likened Mose to a real landslide when he came at him the next day, with a roar of rage and the rolling-pin.
nigger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mose had sobered to the point where he wondered how it had all happened, and wanted to get his hands in the wool of the "nigger" said to lurk in woodpiles.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Climb Into its groove of routine slipped life at the Double Cross, but it did not move quite as smoothly as before.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Climb Into its groove of routine slipped life at the Double Cross, but it did not move quite as smoothly as before.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Sometimes--still keeping to the simile--it was but a pebble or two kicked loose by Ford's heel; sometimes a bowlder which one must dodge.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Sometimes--still keeping to the simile--it was but a pebble or two kicked loose by Ford's heel; sometimes a bowlder which one must dodge.
pebble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes--still keeping to the simile--it was but a pebble or two kicked loose by Ford's heel; sometimes a bowlder which one must dodge.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading Mose had sobered to the point where he wondered how it had all happened, and wanted to get his hands in the wool of the "nigger" said to lurk in woodpiles.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Climb Into its groove of routine slipped life at the Double Cross, but it did not move quite as smoothly as before.
rage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dick, for instance, must have likened Mose to a real landslide when he came at him the next day, with a roar of rage and the rolling-pin.
real
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dick, for instance, must have likened Mose to a real landslide when he came at him the next day, with a roar of rage and the rolling-pin.
roar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dick, for instance, must have likened Mose to a real landslide when he came at him the next day, with a roar of rage and the rolling-pin.
rolling-pin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dick, for instance, must have likened Mose to a real landslide when he came at him the next day, with a roar of rage and the rolling-pin.
routine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Climb Into its groove of routine slipped life at the Double Cross, but it did not move quite as smoothly as before.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mose had sobered to the point where he wondered how it had all happened, and wanted to get his hands in the wool of the "nigger" said to lurk in woodpiles.
simile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes--still keeping to the simile--it was but a pebble or two kicked loose by Ford's heel; sometimes a bowlder which one must dodge.
slipped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Climb Into its groove of routine slipped life at the Double Cross, but it did not move quite as smoothly as before.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the "hill" which Ford was climbing suffered small landslides here and there, which threatened to block the trail below.
smoothly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Climb Into its groove of routine slipped life at the Double Cross, but it did not move quite as smoothly as before.
sobered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mose had sobered to the point where he wondered how it had all happened, and wanted to get his hands in the wool of the "nigger" said to lurk in woodpiles.
Sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes--still keeping to the simile--it was but a pebble or two kicked loose by Ford's heel; sometimes a bowlder which one must dodge.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Sometimes--still keeping to the simile--it was but a pebble or two kicked loose by Ford's heel; sometimes a bowlder which one must dodge.
suffered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the "hill" which Ford was climbing suffered small landslides here and there, which threatened to block the trail below.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Climb Into its groove of routine slipped life at the Double Cross, but it did not move quite as smoothly as before.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the "hill" which Ford was climbing suffered small landslides here and there, which threatened to block the trail below.
threatened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the "hill" which Ford was climbing suffered small landslides here and there, which threatened to block the trail below.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was as if the "hill" which Ford was climbing suffered small landslides here and there, which threatened to block the trail below.
trail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the "hill" which Ford was climbing suffered small landslides here and there, which threatened to block the trail below.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes--still keeping to the simile--it was but a pebble or two kicked loose by Ford's heel; sometimes a bowlder which one must dodge.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mose had sobered to the point where he wondered how it had all happened, and wanted to get his hands in the wool of the "nigger" said to lurk in woodpiles.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was as if the "hill" which Ford was climbing suffered small landslides here and there, which threatened to block the trail below.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Dick, for instance, must have likened Mose to a real landslide when he came at him the next day, with a roar of rage and the rolling-pin.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Mose had sobered to the point where he wondered how it had all happened, and wanted to get his hands in the wool of the "nigger" said to lurk in woodpiles.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was as if the "hill" which Ford was climbing suffered small landslides here and there, which threatened to block the trail below.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Dick, for instance, must have likened Mose to a real landslide when he came at him the next day, with a roar of rage and the rolling-pin.
wonderednounUS /wondered/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mose had sobered to the point where he wondered how it had all happened, and wanted to get his hands in the wool of the "nigger" said to lurk in woodpiles.
woodpiles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mose had sobered to the point where he wondered how it had all happened, and wanted to get his hands in the wool of the "nigger" said to lurk in woodpiles.
wool
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mose had sobered to the point where he wondered how it had all happened, and wanted to get his hands in the wool of the "nigger" said to lurk in woodpiles.
