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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 His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
awaited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg.
beaks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
beautiful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading But what did he see in the clear stream below?
bent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
bird
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
bornnounUS /born/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But what did he see in the clear stream below?
clear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But what did he see in the clear stream below?
consequence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
death
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But what did he see in the clear stream below?
disagreeable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
duck's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg.
egg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg.
enabled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
enjoy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
farmyard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg.
glad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
graceful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
gray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
happiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
hatched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg.
image
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But what did he see in the clear stream below?
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg.
Kill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
neck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
nest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg.
new-comer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
pleasure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But what did he see in the clear stream below?
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
sorrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
stream
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But what did he see in the clear stream below?
stroked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
suffered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
surface
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
swam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
swan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
swan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg.
swans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
trouble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
ugly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
welcome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But what did he see in the clear stream below?
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
