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 It had been cold and raw when I was crossing the prairies to my farm, with the wind in the southeast, and filled with a bitter chill.
air
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From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It had been cold and raw when I was crossing the prairies to my farm, with the wind in the southeast, and filled with a bitter chill.
ASconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading JUST AS GRANDMA THORNDYKE EXPECTED I was surprised next morning to note the change which had taken place in the weather.
away
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From this reading For the first time in my life, and it has happened but twice since, I heard the whistles of the engines on the railroad twelve miles away to the north.
beard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been cold and raw when I was crossing the prairies to my farm, with the wind in the southeast, and filled with a bitter chill.
bent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
bitter
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From this reading It had been cold and raw when I was crossing the prairies to my farm, with the wind in the southeast, and filled with a bitter chill.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For the first time in my life, and it has happened but twice since, I heard the whistles of the engines on the railroad twelve miles away to the north.
change
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From this reading JUST AS GRANDMA THORNDYKE EXPECTED I was surprised next morning to note the change which had taken place in the weather.
chill
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From this reading It had been cold and raw when I was crossing the prairies to my farm, with the wind in the southeast, and filled with a bitter chill.
cold
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From this reading It had been cold and raw when I was crossing the prairies to my farm, with the wind in the southeast, and filled with a bitter chill.
crossing
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From this reading It had been cold and raw when I was crossing the prairies to my farm, with the wind in the southeast, and filled with a bitter chill.
death
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From this reading In the night the wind had gone down, and it was as still as death in the morning.
down
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From this reading In the night the wind had gone down, and it was as still as death in the morning.
dropped
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From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
engines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in my life, and it has happened but twice since, I heard the whistles of the engines on the railroad twelve miles away to the north.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
EXPECTED
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From this reading JUST AS GRANDMA THORNDYKE EXPECTED I was surprised next morning to note the change which had taken place in the weather.
farm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been cold and raw when I was crossing the prairies to my farm, with the wind in the southeast, and filled with a bitter chill.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
filled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been cold and raw when I was crossing the prairies to my farm, with the wind in the southeast, and filled with a bitter chill.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For the first time in my life, and it has happened but twice since, I heard the whistles of the engines on the railroad twelve miles away to the north.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the first time in my life, and it has happened but twice since, I heard the whistles of the engines on the railroad twelve miles away to the north.
frost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the night the wind had gone down, and it was as still as death in the morning.
GRANDMA
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From this reading JUST AS GRANDMA THORNDYKE EXPECTED I was surprised next morning to note the change which had taken place in the weather.
grass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading JUST AS GRANDMA THORNDYKE EXPECTED I was surprised next morning to note the change which had taken place in the weather.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in my life, and it has happened but twice since, I heard the whistles of the engines on the railroad twelve miles away to the north.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For the first time in my life, and it has happened but twice since, I heard the whistles of the engines on the railroad twelve miles away to the north.
heap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in my life, and it has happened but twice since, I heard the whistles of the engines on the railroad twelve miles away to the north.
higher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
hoar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading JUST AS GRANDMA THORNDYKE EXPECTED I was surprised next morning to note the change which had taken place in the weather.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading JUST AS GRANDMA THORNDYKE EXPECTED I was surprised next morning to note the change which had taken place in the weather.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had been cold and raw when I was crossing the prairies to my farm, with the wind in the southeast, and filled with a bitter chill.
JUST
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JUST AS GRANDMA THORNDYKE EXPECTED I was surprised next morning to note the change which had taken place in the weather.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For the first time in my life, and it has happened but twice since, I heard the whistles of the engines on the railroad twelve miles away to the north.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
miles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in my life, and it has happened but twice since, I heard the whistles of the engines on the railroad twelve miles away to the north.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading JUST AS GRANDMA THORNDYKE EXPECTED I was surprised next morning to note the change which had taken place in the weather.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading It had been cold and raw when I was crossing the prairies to my farm, with the wind in the southeast, and filled with a bitter chill.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading JUST AS GRANDMA THORNDYKE EXPECTED I was surprised next morning to note the change which had taken place in the weather.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the night the wind had gone down, and it was as still as death in the morning.
north
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in my life, and it has happened but twice since, I heard the whistles of the engines on the railroad twelve miles away to the north.
note
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JUST AS GRANDMA THORNDYKE EXPECTED I was surprised next morning to note the change which had taken place in the weather.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For the first time in my life, and it has happened but twice since, I heard the whistles of the engines on the railroad twelve miles away to the north.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For the first time in my life, and it has happened but twice since, I heard the whistles of the engines on the railroad twelve miles away to the north.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JUST AS GRANDMA THORNDYKE EXPECTED I was surprised next morning to note the change which had taken place in the weather.
prairies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been cold and raw when I was crossing the prairies to my farm, with the wind in the southeast, and filled with a bitter chill.
railroad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in my life, and it has happened but twice since, I heard the whistles of the engines on the railroad twelve miles away to the north.
raw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been cold and raw when I was crossing the prairies to my farm, with the wind in the southeast, and filled with a bitter chill.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading For the first time in my life, and it has happened but twice since, I heard the whistles of the engines on the railroad twelve miles away to the north.
slanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
southeast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been cold and raw when I was crossing the prairies to my farm, with the wind in the southeast, and filled with a bitter chill.
spear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the night the wind had gone down, and it was as still as death in the morning.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
straight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
surprisednounUS /surprised/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading JUST AS GRANDMA THORNDYKE EXPECTED I was surprised next morning to note the change which had taken place in the weather.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JUST AS GRANDMA THORNDYKE EXPECTED I was surprised next morning to note the change which had taken place in the weather.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading JUST AS GRANDMA THORNDYKE EXPECTED I was surprised next morning to note the change which had taken place in the weather.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
THORNDYKE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JUST AS GRANDMA THORNDYKE EXPECTED I was surprised next morning to note the change which had taken place in the weather.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For the first time in my life, and it has happened but twice since, I heard the whistles of the engines on the railroad twelve miles away to the north.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading JUST AS GRANDMA THORNDYKE EXPECTED I was surprised next morning to note the change which had taken place in the weather.
twelve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in my life, and it has happened but twice since, I heard the whistles of the engines on the railroad twelve miles away to the north.
twice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in my life, and it has happened but twice since, I heard the whistles of the engines on the railroad twelve miles away to the north.
twig
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading JUST AS GRANDMA THORNDYKE EXPECTED I was surprised next morning to note the change which had taken place in the weather.
weather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JUST AS GRANDMA THORNDYKE EXPECTED I was surprised next morning to note the change which had taken place in the weather.
weed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It had been cold and raw when I was crossing the prairies to my farm, with the wind in the southeast, and filled with a bitter chill.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading JUST AS GRANDMA THORNDYKE EXPECTED I was surprised next morning to note the change which had taken place in the weather.
whistles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in my life, and it has happened but twice since, I heard the whistles of the engines on the railroad twelve miles away to the north.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It had been cold and raw when I was crossing the prairies to my farm, with the wind in the southeast, and filled with a bitter chill.
windrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little beard of hoar frost along the side of every spear of grass and weed; which, as the sun rose higher, dropped off and lay under every twig and bent, in a little heap if it stood up straight, or in a windrow if it slanted; for so still was the air that the frost went straight down, and lay as it fell.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It had been cold and raw when I was crossing the prairies to my farm, with the wind in the southeast, and filled with a bitter chill.
