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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 rest were killed within the enclosure, some by the first barrel, some by the second, or if they still lingered, were retrieved and mouthed by a well-trained butcher dog, of no recognisable breed.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Sometimes, after receiving its wound, a bird would walk about for a second or two, apparently unhurt; then suddenly stagger and topple over.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Sometimes, after receiving its wound, a bird would walk about for a second or two, apparently unhurt; then suddenly stagger and topple over.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Of these one escaped, one fluttered on to the roof of the railway station and died there slowly, under my eyes.
apparently
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From this reading Sometimes, after receiving its wound, a bird would walk about for a second or two, apparently unhurt; then suddenly stagger and topple over.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Sometimes, as the trap opened, a bird would stand dazed.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Then a ball was trundled at it to compel it to rise.
ball
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From this reading Then a ball was trundled at it to compel it to rise.
barrel
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From this reading The rest were killed within the enclosure, some by the first barrel, some by the second, or if they still lingered, were retrieved and mouthed by a well-trained butcher dog, of no recognisable breed.
bird
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From this reading Sometimes, after receiving its wound, a bird would walk about for a second or two, apparently unhurt; then suddenly stagger and topple over.
breed
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From this reading The rest were killed within the enclosure, some by the first barrel, some by the second, or if they still lingered, were retrieved and mouthed by a well-trained butcher dog, of no recognisable breed.
butcher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rest were killed within the enclosure, some by the first barrel, some by the second, or if they still lingered, were retrieved and mouthed by a well-trained butcher dog, of no recognisable breed.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The rest were killed within the enclosure, some by the first barrel, some by the second, or if they still lingered, were retrieved and mouthed by a well-trained butcher dog, of no recognisable breed.
compel
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From this reading Then a ball was trundled at it to compel it to rise.
dazed
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From this reading Sometimes, as the trap opened, a bird would stand dazed.
died
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From this reading Of these one escaped, one fluttered on to the roof of the railway station and died there slowly, under my eyes.
dog
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From this reading The rest were killed within the enclosure, some by the first barrel, some by the second, or if they still lingered, were retrieved and mouthed by a well-trained butcher dog, of no recognisable breed.
enclosurenounUS /ˈenclosure/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The rest were killed within the enclosure, some by the first barrel, some by the second, or if they still lingered, were retrieved and mouthed by a well-trained butcher dog, of no recognisable breed.
escaped
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From this reading Of these one escaped, one fluttered on to the roof of the railway station and died there slowly, under my eyes.
eyes
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From this reading Of these one escaped, one fluttered on to the roof of the railway station and died there slowly, under my eyes.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The rest were killed within the enclosure, some by the first barrel, some by the second, or if they still lingered, were retrieved and mouthed by a well-trained butcher dog, of no recognisable breed.
fluttered
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From this reading Of these one escaped, one fluttered on to the roof of the railway station and died there slowly, under my eyes.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Sometimes, after receiving its wound, a bird would walk about for a second or two, apparently unhurt; then suddenly stagger and topple over.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The rest were killed within the enclosure, some by the first barrel, some by the second, or if they still lingered, were retrieved and mouthed by a well-trained butcher dog, of no recognisable breed.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Then a ball was trundled at it to compel it to rise.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Sometimes, after receiving its wound, a bird would walk about for a second or two, apparently unhurt; then suddenly stagger and topple over.
killed
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From this reading The rest were killed within the enclosure, some by the first barrel, some by the second, or if they still lingered, were retrieved and mouthed by a well-trained butcher dog, of no recognisable breed.
lingered
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From this reading The rest were killed within the enclosure, some by the first barrel, some by the second, or if they still lingered, were retrieved and mouthed by a well-trained butcher dog, of no recognisable breed.
mouthed
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From this reading The rest were killed within the enclosure, some by the first barrel, some by the second, or if they still lingered, were retrieved and mouthed by a well-trained butcher dog, of no recognisable breed.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Of these one escaped, one fluttered on to the roof of the railway station and died there slowly, under my eyes.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The rest were killed within the enclosure, some by the first barrel, some by the second, or if they still lingered, were retrieved and mouthed by a well-trained butcher dog, of no recognisable breed.
OfprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Of these one escaped, one fluttered on to the roof of the railway station and died there slowly, under my eyes.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Of these one escaped, one fluttered on to the roof of the railway station and died there slowly, under my eyes.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Of these one escaped, one fluttered on to the roof of the railway station and died there slowly, under my eyes.
opened
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From this reading Sometimes, as the trap opened, a bird would stand dazed.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The rest were killed within the enclosure, some by the first barrel, some by the second, or if they still lingered, were retrieved and mouthed by a well-trained butcher dog, of no recognisable breed.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Sometimes, after receiving its wound, a bird would walk about for a second or two, apparently unhurt; then suddenly stagger and topple over.
railway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of these one escaped, one fluttered on to the roof of the railway station and died there slowly, under my eyes.
receiving
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From this reading Sometimes, after receiving its wound, a bird would walk about for a second or two, apparently unhurt; then suddenly stagger and topple over.
recognisable
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From this reading The rest were killed within the enclosure, some by the first barrel, some by the second, or if they still lingered, were retrieved and mouthed by a well-trained butcher dog, of no recognisable breed.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The rest were killed within the enclosure, some by the first barrel, some by the second, or if they still lingered, were retrieved and mouthed by a well-trained butcher dog, of no recognisable breed.
retrievedverbUS /rɪˈtriːvd/
Got or brought back something that was lost or hidden.
From this reading The rest were killed within the enclosure, some by the first barrel, some by the second, or if they still lingered, were retrieved and mouthed by a well-trained butcher dog, of no recognisable breed.
rise
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From this reading Then a ball was trundled at it to compel it to rise.
roof
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From this reading Of these one escaped, one fluttered on to the roof of the railway station and died there slowly, under my eyes.
second
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From this reading The rest were killed within the enclosure, some by the first barrel, some by the second, or if they still lingered, were retrieved and mouthed by a well-trained butcher dog, of no recognisable breed.
slowly
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From this reading Of these one escaped, one fluttered on to the roof of the railway station and died there slowly, under my eyes.
some
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From this reading The rest were killed within the enclosure, some by the first barrel, some by the second, or if they still lingered, were retrieved and mouthed by a well-trained butcher dog, of no recognisable breed.
Sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes, after receiving its wound, a bird would walk about for a second or two, apparently unhurt; then suddenly stagger and topple over.
stagger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes, after receiving its wound, a bird would walk about for a second or two, apparently unhurt; then suddenly stagger and topple over.
stand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes, as the trap opened, a bird would stand dazed.
station
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From this reading Of these one escaped, one fluttered on to the roof of the railway station and died there slowly, under my eyes.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The rest were killed within the enclosure, some by the first barrel, some by the second, or if they still lingered, were retrieved and mouthed by a well-trained butcher dog, of no recognisable breed.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Sometimes, after receiving its wound, a bird would walk about for a second or two, apparently unhurt; then suddenly stagger and topple over.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Of these one escaped, one fluttered on to the roof of the railway station and died there slowly, under my eyes.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes, after receiving its wound, a bird would walk about for a second or two, apparently unhurt; then suddenly stagger and topple over.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of these one escaped, one fluttered on to the roof of the railway station and died there slowly, under my eyes.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Of these one escaped, one fluttered on to the roof of the railway station and died there slowly, under my eyes.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The rest were killed within the enclosure, some by the first barrel, some by the second, or if they still lingered, were retrieved and mouthed by a well-trained butcher dog, of no recognisable breed.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Of these one escaped, one fluttered on to the roof of the railway station and died there slowly, under my eyes.
topple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes, after receiving its wound, a bird would walk about for a second or two, apparently unhurt; then suddenly stagger and topple over.
trap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes, as the trap opened, a bird would stand dazed.
trundled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then a ball was trundled at it to compel it to rise.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes, after receiving its wound, a bird would walk about for a second or two, apparently unhurt; then suddenly stagger and topple over.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Of these one escaped, one fluttered on to the roof of the railway station and died there slowly, under my eyes.
unhurt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes, after receiving its wound, a bird would walk about for a second or two, apparently unhurt; then suddenly stagger and topple over.
walk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes, after receiving its wound, a bird would walk about for a second or two, apparently unhurt; then suddenly stagger and topple over.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then a ball was trundled at it to compel it to rise.
well-trained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rest were killed within the enclosure, some by the first barrel, some by the second, or if they still lingered, were retrieved and mouthed by a well-trained butcher dog, of no recognisable breed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The rest were killed within the enclosure, some by the first barrel, some by the second, or if they still lingered, were retrieved and mouthed by a well-trained butcher dog, of no recognisable breed.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading The rest were killed within the enclosure, some by the first barrel, some by the second, or if they still lingered, were retrieved and mouthed by a well-trained butcher dog, of no recognisable breed.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Sometimes, after receiving its wound, a bird would walk about for a second or two, apparently unhurt; then suddenly stagger and topple over.
wound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes, after receiving its wound, a bird would walk about for a second or two, apparently unhurt; then suddenly stagger and topple over.
