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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 [Why Germans Wear Spectacles] A mile or two above Eberbach we saw a peculiar ruin projecting above the foliage which clothed the peak of a high and very steep hill.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading This ruin had nothing very imposing or picturesque about it, and there was no great deal of it, yet it was called the "Spectacular Ruin."
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading [Why Germans Wear Spectacles] A mile or two above Eberbach we saw a peculiar ruin projecting above the foliage which clothed the peak of a high and very steep hill.
absorbed
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From this reading This ruin consisted of merely a couple of crumbling masses of masonry which bore a rude resemblance to human faces; they leaned forward and touched foreheads, and had the look of being absorbed in conversation.
Ages
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From this reading LEGEND OF THE "SPECTACULAR RUIN" The captain of the raft, who was as full of history as he could stick, said that in the Middle Ages a most prodigious fire-breathing dragon used to live in that region, and made more trouble than a tax-collector.
all
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From this reading He was as long as a railway-train, and had the customary impenetrable green scales all over him.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading [Why Germans Wear Spectacles] A mile or two above Eberbach we saw a peculiar ruin projecting above the foliage which clothed the peak of a high and very steep hill.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading LEGEND OF THE "SPECTACULAR RUIN" The captain of the raft, who was as full of history as he could stick, said that in the Middle Ages a most prodigious fire-breathing dragon used to live in that region, and made more trouble than a tax-collector.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading This ruin consisted of merely a couple of crumbling masses of masonry which bore a rude resemblance to human faces; they leaned forward and touched foreheads, and had the look of being absorbed in conversation.
bore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This ruin consisted of merely a couple of crumbling masses of masonry which bore a rude resemblance to human faces; they leaned forward and touched foreheads, and had the look of being absorbed in conversation.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This ruin had nothing very imposing or picturesque about it, and there was no great deal of it, yet it was called the "Spectacular Ruin."
captainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading LEGEND OF THE "SPECTACULAR RUIN" The captain of the raft, who was as full of history as he could stick, said that in the Middle Ages a most prodigious fire-breathing dragon used to live in that region, and made more trouble than a tax-collector.
clothed
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From this reading [Why Germans Wear Spectacles] A mile or two above Eberbach we saw a peculiar ruin projecting above the foliage which clothed the peak of a high and very steep hill.
consisted
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From this reading This ruin consisted of merely a couple of crumbling masses of masonry which bore a rude resemblance to human faces; they leaned forward and touched foreheads, and had the look of being absorbed in conversation.
conversation
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From this reading This ruin consisted of merely a couple of crumbling masses of masonry which bore a rude resemblance to human faces; they leaned forward and touched foreheads, and had the look of being absorbed in conversation.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading LEGEND OF THE "SPECTACULAR RUIN" The captain of the raft, who was as full of history as he could stick, said that in the Middle Ages a most prodigious fire-breathing dragon used to live in that region, and made more trouble than a tax-collector.
couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/
two people or things considered together
From this reading This ruin consisted of merely a couple of crumbling masses of masonry which bore a rude resemblance to human faces; they leaned forward and touched foreheads, and had the look of being absorbed in conversation.
crumbling
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From this reading This ruin consisted of merely a couple of crumbling masses of masonry which bore a rude resemblance to human faces; they leaned forward and touched foreheads, and had the look of being absorbed in conversation.
customary
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From this reading He was as long as a railway-train, and had the customary impenetrable green scales all over him.
deal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This ruin had nothing very imposing or picturesque about it, and there was no great deal of it, yet it was called the "Spectacular Ruin."
dragonnounUS /ˈdræɡən/
a mythical or imagined creature shaped like a large reptile
From this reading LEGEND OF THE "SPECTACULAR RUIN" The captain of the raft, who was as full of history as he could stick, said that in the Middle Ages a most prodigious fire-breathing dragon used to live in that region, and made more trouble than a tax-collector.
Eberbach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Why Germans Wear Spectacles] A mile or two above Eberbach we saw a peculiar ruin projecting above the foliage which clothed the peak of a high and very steep hill.
faces
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From this reading This ruin consisted of merely a couple of crumbling masses of masonry which bore a rude resemblance to human faces; they leaned forward and touched foreheads, and had the look of being absorbed in conversation.
fire-breathing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LEGEND OF THE "SPECTACULAR RUIN" The captain of the raft, who was as full of history as he could stick, said that in the Middle Ages a most prodigious fire-breathing dragon used to live in that region, and made more trouble than a tax-collector.
foliage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Why Germans Wear Spectacles] A mile or two above Eberbach we saw a peculiar ruin projecting above the foliage which clothed the peak of a high and very steep hill.
foreheads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This ruin consisted of merely a couple of crumbling masses of masonry which bore a rude resemblance to human faces; they leaned forward and touched foreheads, and had the look of being absorbed in conversation.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This ruin consisted of merely a couple of crumbling masses of masonry which bore a rude resemblance to human faces; they leaned forward and touched foreheads, and had the look of being absorbed in conversation.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LEGEND OF THE "SPECTACULAR RUIN" The captain of the raft, who was as full of history as he could stick, said that in the Middle Ages a most prodigious fire-breathing dragon used to live in that region, and made more trouble than a tax-collector.
Germans
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From this reading [Why Germans Wear Spectacles] A mile or two above Eberbach we saw a peculiar ruin projecting above the foliage which clothed the peak of a high and very steep hill.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This ruin had nothing very imposing or picturesque about it, and there was no great deal of it, yet it was called the "Spectacular Ruin."
green
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was as long as a railway-train, and had the customary impenetrable green scales all over him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This ruin consisted of merely a couple of crumbling masses of masonry which bore a rude resemblance to human faces; they leaned forward and touched foreheads, and had the look of being absorbed in conversation.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading LEGEND OF THE "SPECTACULAR RUIN" The captain of the raft, who was as full of history as he could stick, said that in the Middle Ages a most prodigious fire-breathing dragon used to live in that region, and made more trouble than a tax-collector.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Why Germans Wear Spectacles] A mile or two above Eberbach we saw a peculiar ruin projecting above the foliage which clothed the peak of a high and very steep hill.
hill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Why Germans Wear Spectacles] A mile or two above Eberbach we saw a peculiar ruin projecting above the foliage which clothed the peak of a high and very steep hill.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was as long as a railway-train, and had the customary impenetrable green scales all over him.
history
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LEGEND OF THE "SPECTACULAR RUIN" The captain of the raft, who was as full of history as he could stick, said that in the Middle Ages a most prodigious fire-breathing dragon used to live in that region, and made more trouble than a tax-collector.
human
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This ruin consisted of merely a couple of crumbling masses of masonry which bore a rude resemblance to human faces; they leaned forward and touched foreheads, and had the look of being absorbed in conversation.
impenetrable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was as long as a railway-train, and had the customary impenetrable green scales all over him.
imposing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This ruin had nothing very imposing or picturesque about it, and there was no great deal of it, yet it was called the "Spectacular Ruin."
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This ruin consisted of merely a couple of crumbling masses of masonry which bore a rude resemblance to human faces; they leaned forward and touched foreheads, and had the look of being absorbed in conversation.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This ruin had nothing very imposing or picturesque about it, and there was no great deal of it, yet it was called the "Spectacular Ruin."
leaned
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From this reading This ruin consisted of merely a couple of crumbling masses of masonry which bore a rude resemblance to human faces; they leaned forward and touched foreheads, and had the look of being absorbed in conversation.
LEGEND
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LEGEND OF THE "SPECTACULAR RUIN" The captain of the raft, who was as full of history as he could stick, said that in the Middle Ages a most prodigious fire-breathing dragon used to live in that region, and made more trouble than a tax-collector.
live
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LEGEND OF THE "SPECTACULAR RUIN" The captain of the raft, who was as full of history as he could stick, said that in the Middle Ages a most prodigious fire-breathing dragon used to live in that region, and made more trouble than a tax-collector.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was as long as a railway-train, and had the customary impenetrable green scales all over him.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This ruin consisted of merely a couple of crumbling masses of masonry which bore a rude resemblance to human faces; they leaned forward and touched foreheads, and had the look of being absorbed in conversation.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LEGEND OF THE "SPECTACULAR RUIN" The captain of the raft, who was as full of history as he could stick, said that in the Middle Ages a most prodigious fire-breathing dragon used to live in that region, and made more trouble than a tax-collector.
masonry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This ruin consisted of merely a couple of crumbling masses of masonry which bore a rude resemblance to human faces; they leaned forward and touched foreheads, and had the look of being absorbed in conversation.
masses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This ruin consisted of merely a couple of crumbling masses of masonry which bore a rude resemblance to human faces; they leaned forward and touched foreheads, and had the look of being absorbed in conversation.
merely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This ruin consisted of merely a couple of crumbling masses of masonry which bore a rude resemblance to human faces; they leaned forward and touched foreheads, and had the look of being absorbed in conversation.
Middle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LEGEND OF THE "SPECTACULAR RUIN" The captain of the raft, who was as full of history as he could stick, said that in the Middle Ages a most prodigious fire-breathing dragon used to live in that region, and made more trouble than a tax-collector.
mile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Why Germans Wear Spectacles] A mile or two above Eberbach we saw a peculiar ruin projecting above the foliage which clothed the peak of a high and very steep hill.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LEGEND OF THE "SPECTACULAR RUIN" The captain of the raft, who was as full of history as he could stick, said that in the Middle Ages a most prodigious fire-breathing dragon used to live in that region, and made more trouble than a tax-collector.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LEGEND OF THE "SPECTACULAR RUIN" The captain of the raft, who was as full of history as he could stick, said that in the Middle Ages a most prodigious fire-breathing dragon used to live in that region, and made more trouble than a tax-collector.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading This ruin had nothing very imposing or picturesque about it, and there was no great deal of it, yet it was called the "Spectacular Ruin."
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading This ruin had nothing very imposing or picturesque about it, and there was no great deal of it, yet it was called the "Spectacular Ruin."
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading [Why Germans Wear Spectacles] A mile or two above Eberbach we saw a peculiar ruin projecting above the foliage which clothed the peak of a high and very steep hill.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading [Why Germans Wear Spectacles] A mile or two above Eberbach we saw a peculiar ruin projecting above the foliage which clothed the peak of a high and very steep hill.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He was as long as a railway-train, and had the customary impenetrable green scales all over him.
peak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Why Germans Wear Spectacles] A mile or two above Eberbach we saw a peculiar ruin projecting above the foliage which clothed the peak of a high and very steep hill.
peculiar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Why Germans Wear Spectacles] A mile or two above Eberbach we saw a peculiar ruin projecting above the foliage which clothed the peak of a high and very steep hill.
picturesque
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This ruin had nothing very imposing or picturesque about it, and there was no great deal of it, yet it was called the "Spectacular Ruin."
prodigious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LEGEND OF THE "SPECTACULAR RUIN" The captain of the raft, who was as full of history as he could stick, said that in the Middle Ages a most prodigious fire-breathing dragon used to live in that region, and made more trouble than a tax-collector.
projecting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Why Germans Wear Spectacles] A mile or two above Eberbach we saw a peculiar ruin projecting above the foliage which clothed the peak of a high and very steep hill.
raft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LEGEND OF THE "SPECTACULAR RUIN" The captain of the raft, who was as full of history as he could stick, said that in the Middle Ages a most prodigious fire-breathing dragon used to live in that region, and made more trouble than a tax-collector.
railway-train
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was as long as a railway-train, and had the customary impenetrable green scales all over him.
region
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LEGEND OF THE "SPECTACULAR RUIN" The captain of the raft, who was as full of history as he could stick, said that in the Middle Ages a most prodigious fire-breathing dragon used to live in that region, and made more trouble than a tax-collector.
resemblance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This ruin consisted of merely a couple of crumbling masses of masonry which bore a rude resemblance to human faces; they leaned forward and touched foreheads, and had the look of being absorbed in conversation.
rude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This ruin consisted of merely a couple of crumbling masses of masonry which bore a rude resemblance to human faces; they leaned forward and touched foreheads, and had the look of being absorbed in conversation.
ruin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Why Germans Wear Spectacles] A mile or two above Eberbach we saw a peculiar ruin projecting above the foliage which clothed the peak of a high and very steep hill.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LEGEND OF THE "SPECTACULAR RUIN" The captain of the raft, who was as full of history as he could stick, said that in the Middle Ages a most prodigious fire-breathing dragon used to live in that region, and made more trouble than a tax-collector.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Why Germans Wear Spectacles] A mile or two above Eberbach we saw a peculiar ruin projecting above the foliage which clothed the peak of a high and very steep hill.
scales
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was as long as a railway-train, and had the customary impenetrable green scales all over him.
Spectacles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Why Germans Wear Spectacles] A mile or two above Eberbach we saw a peculiar ruin projecting above the foliage which clothed the peak of a high and very steep hill.
Spectacular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This ruin had nothing very imposing or picturesque about it, and there was no great deal of it, yet it was called the "Spectacular Ruin."
steep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Why Germans Wear Spectacles] A mile or two above Eberbach we saw a peculiar ruin projecting above the foliage which clothed the peak of a high and very steep hill.
stick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LEGEND OF THE "SPECTACULAR RUIN" The captain of the raft, who was as full of history as he could stick, said that in the Middle Ages a most prodigious fire-breathing dragon used to live in that region, and made more trouble than a tax-collector.
tax-collector
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LEGEND OF THE "SPECTACULAR RUIN" The captain of the raft, who was as full of history as he could stick, said that in the Middle Ages a most prodigious fire-breathing dragon used to live in that region, and made more trouble than a tax-collector.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading LEGEND OF THE "SPECTACULAR RUIN" The captain of the raft, who was as full of history as he could stick, said that in the Middle Ages a most prodigious fire-breathing dragon used to live in that region, and made more trouble than a tax-collector.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading LEGEND OF THE "SPECTACULAR RUIN" The captain of the raft, who was as full of history as he could stick, said that in the Middle Ages a most prodigious fire-breathing dragon used to live in that region, and made more trouble than a tax-collector.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading [Why Germans Wear Spectacles] A mile or two above Eberbach we saw a peculiar ruin projecting above the foliage which clothed the peak of a high and very steep hill.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This ruin had nothing very imposing or picturesque about it, and there was no great deal of it, yet it was called the "Spectacular Ruin."
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This ruin consisted of merely a couple of crumbling masses of masonry which bore a rude resemblance to human faces; they leaned forward and touched foreheads, and had the look of being absorbed in conversation.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This ruin consisted of merely a couple of crumbling masses of masonry which bore a rude resemblance to human faces; they leaned forward and touched foreheads, and had the look of being absorbed in conversation.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This ruin consisted of merely a couple of crumbling masses of masonry which bore a rude resemblance to human faces; they leaned forward and touched foreheads, and had the look of being absorbed in conversation.
touched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This ruin consisted of merely a couple of crumbling masses of masonry which bore a rude resemblance to human faces; they leaned forward and touched foreheads, and had the look of being absorbed in conversation.
trouble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LEGEND OF THE "SPECTACULAR RUIN" The captain of the raft, who was as full of history as he could stick, said that in the Middle Ages a most prodigious fire-breathing dragon used to live in that region, and made more trouble than a tax-collector.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Why Germans Wear Spectacles] A mile or two above Eberbach we saw a peculiar ruin projecting above the foliage which clothed the peak of a high and very steep hill.
used
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LEGEND OF THE "SPECTACULAR RUIN" The captain of the raft, who was as full of history as he could stick, said that in the Middle Ages a most prodigious fire-breathing dragon used to live in that region, and made more trouble than a tax-collector.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Why Germans Wear Spectacles] A mile or two above Eberbach we saw a peculiar ruin projecting above the foliage which clothed the peak of a high and very steep hill.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This ruin had nothing very imposing or picturesque about it, and there was no great deal of it, yet it was called the "Spectacular Ruin."
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading [Why Germans Wear Spectacles] A mile or two above Eberbach we saw a peculiar ruin projecting above the foliage which clothed the peak of a high and very steep hill.
Wear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Why Germans Wear Spectacles] A mile or two above Eberbach we saw a peculiar ruin projecting above the foliage which clothed the peak of a high and very steep hill.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading [Why Germans Wear Spectacles] A mile or two above Eberbach we saw a peculiar ruin projecting above the foliage which clothed the peak of a high and very steep hill.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading LEGEND OF THE "SPECTACULAR RUIN" The captain of the raft, who was as full of history as he could stick, said that in the Middle Ages a most prodigious fire-breathing dragon used to live in that region, and made more trouble than a tax-collector.
Why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Why Germans Wear Spectacles] A mile or two above Eberbach we saw a peculiar ruin projecting above the foliage which clothed the peak of a high and very steep hill.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading This ruin had nothing very imposing or picturesque about it, and there was no great deal of it, yet it was called the "Spectacular Ruin."
