Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.
animals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.
ate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.
barked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!
brayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!
burst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!
cat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.
clattered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!
climb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.
cock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.
companions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.
content
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.
counsel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.
crowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!
din
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.
dog
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!
donkey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.
donkey's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.
drive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.
fast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.
fled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.
fly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.
fore-feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.
forest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.
fright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.
ghost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!
glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.
horrible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.
hound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!
jump
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.
lastly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.
manage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.
mewed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!
month
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.
music
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.
otherwise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.
perch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.
perform
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.
plan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.
robbersnounUS /ˈrɒb.ərz/
Persons who steal from a person or place, especially using violence or threats.
From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.
signal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!
sprang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!
window-ledge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.