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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 The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
abode
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From this reading This desert, around which hovered gulls, sea-swallows, and sea-eagles, had been for several weeks the abode of the fugitives, Dion and Barine.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Not even the poorest crops would grow in soil so hostile to life, and those who chose it for a home were compelled to bring even the drinking-water from the continent.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading This desert, around which hovered gulls, sea-swallows, and sea-eagles, had been for several weeks the abode of the fugitives, Dion and Barine.
arrival
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From this reading They still occupied the two rooms which had been assigned to them on their arrival.
assigned
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From this reading They still occupied the two rooms which had been assigned to them on their arrival.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
Barine
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From this reading This desert, around which hovered gulls, sea-swallows, and sea-eagles, had been for several weeks the abode of the fugitives, Dion and Barine.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading This desert, around which hovered gulls, sea-swallows, and sea-eagles, had been for several weeks the abode of the fugitives, Dion and Barine.
blade
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From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
bring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not even the poorest crops would grow in soil so hostile to life, and those who chose it for a home were compelled to bring even the drinking-water from the continent.
called
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From this reading It was called the Serpent Island, though the inhabitants had long since rid it of these dangerous guests, which lived in great numbers in the neighbouring cliffs.
chose
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From this reading Not even the poorest crops would grow in soil so hostile to life, and those who chose it for a home were compelled to bring even the drinking-water from the continent.
cliffs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was called the Serpent Island, though the inhabitants had long since rid it of these dangerous guests, which lived in great numbers in the neighbouring cliffs.
compelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not even the poorest crops would grow in soil so hostile to life, and those who chose it for a home were compelled to bring even the drinking-water from the continent.
continent
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From this reading Not even the poorest crops would grow in soil so hostile to life, and those who chose it for a home were compelled to bring even the drinking-water from the continent.
Corner
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From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
crops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not even the poorest crops would grow in soil so hostile to life, and those who chose it for a home were compelled to bring even the drinking-water from the continent.
dangerous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was called the Serpent Island, though the inhabitants had long since rid it of these dangerous guests, which lived in great numbers in the neighbouring cliffs.
desert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This desert, around which hovered gulls, sea-swallows, and sea-eagles, had been for several weeks the abode of the fugitives, Dion and Barine.
desolate
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From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
Didymus
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From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
Dion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This desert, around which hovered gulls, sea-swallows, and sea-eagles, had been for several weeks the abode of the fugitives, Dion and Barine.
drinking-water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not even the poorest crops would grow in soil so hostile to life, and those who chose it for a home were compelled to bring even the drinking-water from the continent.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Not even the poorest crops would grow in soil so hostile to life, and those who chose it for a home were compelled to bring even the drinking-water from the continent.
flat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Not even the poorest crops would grow in soil so hostile to life, and those who chose it for a home were compelled to bring even the drinking-water from the continent.
freedman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Not even the poorest crops would grow in soil so hostile to life, and those who chose it for a home were compelled to bring even the drinking-water from the continent.
fugitives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This desert, around which hovered gulls, sea-swallows, and sea-eagles, had been for several weeks the abode of the fugitives, Dion and Barine.
garden
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From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
grass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was called the Serpent Island, though the inhabitants had long since rid it of these dangerous guests, which lived in great numbers in the neighbouring cliffs.
grew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
grow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not even the poorest crops would grow in soil so hostile to life, and those who chose it for a home were compelled to bring even the drinking-water from the continent.
guests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was called the Serpent Island, though the inhabitants had long since rid it of these dangerous guests, which lived in great numbers in the neighbouring cliffs.
gulls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This desert, around which hovered gulls, sea-swallows, and sea-eagles, had been for several weeks the abode of the fugitives, Dion and Barine.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was called the Serpent Island, though the inhabitants had long since rid it of these dangerous guests, which lived in great numbers in the neighbouring cliffs.
harbour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not even the poorest crops would grow in soil so hostile to life, and those who chose it for a home were compelled to bring even the drinking-water from the continent.
hostile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not even the poorest crops would grow in soil so hostile to life, and those who chose it for a home were compelled to bring even the drinking-water from the continent.
hovered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This desert, around which hovered gulls, sea-swallows, and sea-eagles, had been for several weeks the abode of the fugitives, Dion and Barine.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
inhabitants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was called the Serpent Island, though the inhabitants had long since rid it of these dangerous guests, which lived in great numbers in the neighbouring cliffs.
Island
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was called the Serpent Island, though the inhabitants had long since rid it of these dangerous guests, which lived in great numbers in the neighbouring cliffs.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was called the Serpent Island, though the inhabitants had long since rid it of these dangerous guests, which lived in great numbers in the neighbouring cliffs.
larger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Not even the poorest crops would grow in soil so hostile to life, and those who chose it for a home were compelled to bring even the drinking-water from the continent.
lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was called the Serpent Island, though the inhabitants had long since rid it of these dangerous guests, which lived in great numbers in the neighbouring cliffs.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was called the Serpent Island, though the inhabitants had long since rid it of these dangerous guests, which lived in great numbers in the neighbouring cliffs.
Muses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
neighbouring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was called the Serpent Island, though the inhabitants had long since rid it of these dangerous guests, which lived in great numbers in the neighbouring cliffs.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
northern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
NotadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not even the poorest crops would grow in soil so hostile to life, and those who chose it for a home were compelled to bring even the drinking-water from the continent.
numbers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was called the Serpent Island, though the inhabitants had long since rid it of these dangerous guests, which lived in great numbers in the neighbouring cliffs.
occupied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They still occupied the two rooms which had been assigned to them on their arrival.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They still occupied the two rooms which had been assigned to them on their arrival.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
poorest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not even the poorest crops would grow in soil so hostile to life, and those who chose it for a home were compelled to bring even the drinking-water from the continent.
property
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
Pyrrhus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
rid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was called the Serpent Island, though the inhabitants had long since rid it of these dangerous guests, which lived in great numbers in the neighbouring cliffs.
rock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
rooms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They still occupied the two rooms which had been assigned to them on their arrival.
scarcely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
sea-eagles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This desert, around which hovered gulls, sea-swallows, and sea-eagles, had been for several weeks the abode of the fugitives, Dion and Barine.
sea-swallows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This desert, around which hovered gulls, sea-swallows, and sea-eagles, had been for several weeks the abode of the fugitives, Dion and Barine.
Serpent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was called the Serpent Island, though the inhabitants had long since rid it of these dangerous guests, which lived in great numbers in the neighbouring cliffs.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This desert, around which hovered gulls, sea-swallows, and sea-eagles, had been for several weeks the abode of the fugitives, Dion and Barine.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading It was called the Serpent Island, though the inhabitants had long since rid it of these dangerous guests, which lived in great numbers in the neighbouring cliffs.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Not even the poorest crops would grow in soil so hostile to life, and those who chose it for a home were compelled to bring even the drinking-water from the continent.
soil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not even the poorest crops would grow in soil so hostile to life, and those who chose it for a home were compelled to bring even the drinking-water from the continent.
spot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They still occupied the two rooms which had been assigned to them on their arrival.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They still occupied the two rooms which had been assigned to them on their arrival.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They still occupied the two rooms which had been assigned to them on their arrival.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading It was called the Serpent Island, though the inhabitants had long since rid it of these dangerous guests, which lived in great numbers in the neighbouring cliffs.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They still occupied the two rooms which had been assigned to them on their arrival.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This desert, around which hovered gulls, sea-swallows, and sea-eagles, had been for several weeks the abode of the fugitives, Dion and Barine.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Not even the poorest crops would grow in soil so hostile to life, and those who chose it for a home were compelled to bring even the drinking-water from the continent.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It was called the Serpent Island, though the inhabitants had long since rid it of these dangerous guests, which lived in great numbers in the neighbouring cliffs.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Not even the poorest crops would grow in soil so hostile to life, and those who chose it for a home were compelled to bring even the drinking-water from the continent.
tree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They still occupied the two rooms which had been assigned to them on their arrival.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This desert, around which hovered gulls, sea-swallows, and sea-eagles, had been for several weeks the abode of the fugitives, Dion and Barine.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Not even the poorest crops would grow in soil so hostile to life, and those who chose it for a home were compelled to bring even the drinking-water from the continent.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading The property of the freedman Pyrrhus was a flat rock in the northern part of the harbour, scarcely larger than the garden of Didymus at the Corner of the Muses, a desolate spot where neither tree nor blade of grass grew.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was called the Serpent Island, though the inhabitants had long since rid it of these dangerous guests, which lived in great numbers in the neighbouring cliffs.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Not even the poorest crops would grow in soil so hostile to life, and those who chose it for a home were compelled to bring even the drinking-water from the continent.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Not even the poorest crops would grow in soil so hostile to life, and those who chose it for a home were compelled to bring even the drinking-water from the continent.
