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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 One day the Emperor received a large parcel, on which was written “The Nightingale.”
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “There we have a new book about this celebrated bird,” said the Emperor.
all
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From this reading Round his neck hung a little ribbon, and on that was written, _The Emperor of Japan’s nightingale is poor, compared to that of the Emperor of China._ “That is capital!” said they all, and he who had brought the artificial bird, immediately received the title, Imperial Head-Nightingale-Bringer.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But it was not a book, but a little work of art, contained in a box; an artificial nightingale, which was to be like a natural one, but was brilliantly ornamented with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But it was not a book, but a little work of art, contained in a box; an artificial nightingale, which was to be like a natural one, but was brilliantly ornamented with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading But it was not a book, but a little work of art, contained in a box; an artificial nightingale, which was to be like a natural one, but was brilliantly ornamented with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
artificial
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From this reading But it was not a book, but a little work of art, contained in a box; an artificial nightingale, which was to be like a natural one, but was brilliantly ornamented with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading So soon as the artificial bird was wound up, he could sing one of the pieces that he really sang, and then his tail moved up and down, and shone with silver and gold.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But it was not a book, but a little work of art, contained in a box; an artificial nightingale, which was to be like a natural one, but was brilliantly ornamented with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
bird
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From this reading “There we have a new book about this celebrated bird,” said the Emperor.
book
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From this reading “There we have a new book about this celebrated bird,” said the Emperor.
box
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From this reading But it was not a book, but a little work of art, contained in a box; an artificial nightingale, which was to be like a natural one, but was brilliantly ornamented with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
brilliantly
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From this reading But it was not a book, but a little work of art, contained in a box; an artificial nightingale, which was to be like a natural one, but was brilliantly ornamented with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Round his neck hung a little ribbon, and on that was written, _The Emperor of Japan’s nightingale is poor, compared to that of the Emperor of China._ “That is capital!” said they all, and he who had brought the artificial bird, immediately received the title, Imperial Head-Nightingale-Bringer.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it was not a book, but a little work of art, contained in a box; an artificial nightingale, which was to be like a natural one, but was brilliantly ornamented with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
capital
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round his neck hung a little ribbon, and on that was written, _The Emperor of Japan’s nightingale is poor, compared to that of the Emperor of China._ “That is capital!” said they all, and he who had brought the artificial bird, immediately received the title, Imperial Head-Nightingale-Bringer.
celebrated
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From this reading “There we have a new book about this celebrated bird,” said the Emperor.
China
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From this reading Round his neck hung a little ribbon, and on that was written, _The Emperor of Japan’s nightingale is poor, compared to that of the Emperor of China._ “That is capital!” said they all, and he who had brought the artificial bird, immediately received the title, Imperial Head-Nightingale-Bringer.
compared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round his neck hung a little ribbon, and on that was written, _The Emperor of Japan’s nightingale is poor, compared to that of the Emperor of China._ “That is capital!” said they all, and he who had brought the artificial bird, immediately received the title, Imperial Head-Nightingale-Bringer.
contained
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From this reading But it was not a book, but a little work of art, contained in a box; an artificial nightingale, which was to be like a natural one, but was brilliantly ornamented with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading So soon as the artificial bird was wound up, he could sing one of the pieces that he really sang, and then his tail moved up and down, and shone with silver and gold.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One day the Emperor received a large parcel, on which was written “The Nightingale.”
diamonds
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From this reading But it was not a book, but a little work of art, contained in a box; an artificial nightingale, which was to be like a natural one, but was brilliantly ornamented with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So soon as the artificial bird was wound up, he could sing one of the pieces that he really sang, and then his tail moved up and down, and shone with silver and gold.
EmperornounUS /ˈempərər/
the male ruler of an empire
From this reading One day the Emperor received a large parcel, on which was written “The Nightingale.”
gold
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From this reading So soon as the artificial bird was wound up, he could sing one of the pieces that he really sang, and then his tail moved up and down, and shone with silver and gold.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Round his neck hung a little ribbon, and on that was written, _The Emperor of Japan’s nightingale is poor, compared to that of the Emperor of China._ “That is capital!” said they all, and he who had brought the artificial bird, immediately received the title, Imperial Head-Nightingale-Bringer.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “There we have a new book about this celebrated bird,” said the Emperor.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So soon as the artificial bird was wound up, he could sing one of the pieces that he really sang, and then his tail moved up and down, and shone with silver and gold.
Head-Nightingale-Bringer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round his neck hung a little ribbon, and on that was written, _The Emperor of Japan’s nightingale is poor, compared to that of the Emperor of China._ “That is capital!” said they all, and he who had brought the artificial bird, immediately received the title, Imperial Head-Nightingale-Bringer.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading So soon as the artificial bird was wound up, he could sing one of the pieces that he really sang, and then his tail moved up and down, and shone with silver and gold.
hung
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From this reading Round his neck hung a little ribbon, and on that was written, _The Emperor of Japan’s nightingale is poor, compared to that of the Emperor of China._ “That is capital!” said they all, and he who had brought the artificial bird, immediately received the title, Imperial Head-Nightingale-Bringer.
immediately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round his neck hung a little ribbon, and on that was written, _The Emperor of Japan’s nightingale is poor, compared to that of the Emperor of China._ “That is capital!” said they all, and he who had brought the artificial bird, immediately received the title, Imperial Head-Nightingale-Bringer.
Imperial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round his neck hung a little ribbon, and on that was written, _The Emperor of Japan’s nightingale is poor, compared to that of the Emperor of China._ “That is capital!” said they all, and he who had brought the artificial bird, immediately received the title, Imperial Head-Nightingale-Bringer.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But it was not a book, but a little work of art, contained in a box; an artificial nightingale, which was to be like a natural one, but was brilliantly ornamented with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Round his neck hung a little ribbon, and on that was written, _The Emperor of Japan’s nightingale is poor, compared to that of the Emperor of China._ “That is capital!” said they all, and he who had brought the artificial bird, immediately received the title, Imperial Head-Nightingale-Bringer.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it was not a book, but a little work of art, contained in a box; an artificial nightingale, which was to be like a natural one, but was brilliantly ornamented with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
Japan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round his neck hung a little ribbon, and on that was written, _The Emperor of Japan’s nightingale is poor, compared to that of the Emperor of China._ “That is capital!” said they all, and he who had brought the artificial bird, immediately received the title, Imperial Head-Nightingale-Bringer.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One day the Emperor received a large parcel, on which was written “The Nightingale.”
like
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From this reading But it was not a book, but a little work of art, contained in a box; an artificial nightingale, which was to be like a natural one, but was brilliantly ornamented with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But it was not a book, but a little work of art, contained in a box; an artificial nightingale, which was to be like a natural one, but was brilliantly ornamented with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
moved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So soon as the artificial bird was wound up, he could sing one of the pieces that he really sang, and then his tail moved up and down, and shone with silver and gold.
natural
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was not a book, but a little work of art, contained in a box; an artificial nightingale, which was to be like a natural one, but was brilliantly ornamented with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
neck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round his neck hung a little ribbon, and on that was written, _The Emperor of Japan’s nightingale is poor, compared to that of the Emperor of China._ “That is capital!” said they all, and he who had brought the artificial bird, immediately received the title, Imperial Head-Nightingale-Bringer.
new
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From this reading “There we have a new book about this celebrated bird,” said the Emperor.
Nightingale
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From this reading One day the Emperor received a large parcel, on which was written “The Nightingale.”
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But it was not a book, but a little work of art, contained in a box; an artificial nightingale, which was to be like a natural one, but was brilliantly ornamented with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But it was not a book, but a little work of art, contained in a box; an artificial nightingale, which was to be like a natural one, but was brilliantly ornamented with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading One day the Emperor received a large parcel, on which was written “The Nightingale.”
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One day the Emperor received a large parcel, on which was written “The Nightingale.”
ornamented
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From this reading But it was not a book, but a little work of art, contained in a box; an artificial nightingale, which was to be like a natural one, but was brilliantly ornamented with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
parcel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One day the Emperor received a large parcel, on which was written “The Nightingale.”
pieces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So soon as the artificial bird was wound up, he could sing one of the pieces that he really sang, and then his tail moved up and down, and shone with silver and gold.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Round his neck hung a little ribbon, and on that was written, _The Emperor of Japan’s nightingale is poor, compared to that of the Emperor of China._ “That is capital!” said they all, and he who had brought the artificial bird, immediately received the title, Imperial Head-Nightingale-Bringer.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So soon as the artificial bird was wound up, he could sing one of the pieces that he really sang, and then his tail moved up and down, and shone with silver and gold.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One day the Emperor received a large parcel, on which was written “The Nightingale.”
ribbon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round his neck hung a little ribbon, and on that was written, _The Emperor of Japan’s nightingale is poor, compared to that of the Emperor of China._ “That is capital!” said they all, and he who had brought the artificial bird, immediately received the title, Imperial Head-Nightingale-Bringer.
Round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round his neck hung a little ribbon, and on that was written, _The Emperor of Japan’s nightingale is poor, compared to that of the Emperor of China._ “That is capital!” said they all, and he who had brought the artificial bird, immediately received the title, Imperial Head-Nightingale-Bringer.
rubies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was not a book, but a little work of art, contained in a box; an artificial nightingale, which was to be like a natural one, but was brilliantly ornamented with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “There we have a new book about this celebrated bird,” said the Emperor.
sang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So soon as the artificial bird was wound up, he could sing one of the pieces that he really sang, and then his tail moved up and down, and shone with silver and gold.
sapphires
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was not a book, but a little work of art, contained in a box; an artificial nightingale, which was to be like a natural one, but was brilliantly ornamented with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
shone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So soon as the artificial bird was wound up, he could sing one of the pieces that he really sang, and then his tail moved up and down, and shone with silver and gold.
silver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So soon as the artificial bird was wound up, he could sing one of the pieces that he really sang, and then his tail moved up and down, and shone with silver and gold.
sing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So soon as the artificial bird was wound up, he could sing one of the pieces that he really sang, and then his tail moved up and down, and shone with silver and gold.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So soon as the artificial bird was wound up, he could sing one of the pieces that he really sang, and then his tail moved up and down, and shone with silver and gold.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So soon as the artificial bird was wound up, he could sing one of the pieces that he really sang, and then his tail moved up and down, and shone with silver and gold.
tail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So soon as the artificial bird was wound up, he could sing one of the pieces that he really sang, and then his tail moved up and down, and shone with silver and gold.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So soon as the artificial bird was wound up, he could sing one of the pieces that he really sang, and then his tail moved up and down, and shone with silver and gold.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading One day the Emperor received a large parcel, on which was written “The Nightingale.”
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So soon as the artificial bird was wound up, he could sing one of the pieces that he really sang, and then his tail moved up and down, and shone with silver and gold.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “There we have a new book about this celebrated bird,” said the Emperor.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Round his neck hung a little ribbon, and on that was written, _The Emperor of Japan’s nightingale is poor, compared to that of the Emperor of China._ “That is capital!” said they all, and he who had brought the artificial bird, immediately received the title, Imperial Head-Nightingale-Bringer.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “There we have a new book about this celebrated bird,” said the Emperor.
title
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round his neck hung a little ribbon, and on that was written, _The Emperor of Japan’s nightingale is poor, compared to that of the Emperor of China._ “That is capital!” said they all, and he who had brought the artificial bird, immediately received the title, Imperial Head-Nightingale-Bringer.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But it was not a book, but a little work of art, contained in a box; an artificial nightingale, which was to be like a natural one, but was brilliantly ornamented with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So soon as the artificial bird was wound up, he could sing one of the pieces that he really sang, and then his tail moved up and down, and shone with silver and gold.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One day the Emperor received a large parcel, on which was written “The Nightingale.”
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “There we have a new book about this celebrated bird,” said the Emperor.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading One day the Emperor received a large parcel, on which was written “The Nightingale.”
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Round his neck hung a little ribbon, and on that was written, _The Emperor of Japan’s nightingale is poor, compared to that of the Emperor of China._ “That is capital!” said they all, and he who had brought the artificial bird, immediately received the title, Imperial Head-Nightingale-Bringer.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading But it was not a book, but a little work of art, contained in a box; an artificial nightingale, which was to be like a natural one, but was brilliantly ornamented with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was not a book, but a little work of art, contained in a box; an artificial nightingale, which was to be like a natural one, but was brilliantly ornamented with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
wound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So soon as the artificial bird was wound up, he could sing one of the pieces that he really sang, and then his tail moved up and down, and shone with silver and gold.
written
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One day the Emperor received a large parcel, on which was written “The Nightingale.”
