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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 Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
absurd
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From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
alternately
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From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
asleep
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From this reading He ceased whacking her, but she squawked for some minutes and then fell placidly asleep in the sunshine.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
backed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
beaten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He ceased whacking her, but she squawked for some minutes and then fell placidly asleep in the sunshine.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
ceased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He ceased whacking her, but she squawked for some minutes and then fell placidly asleep in the sunshine.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was very pitiful, for one swing of her trunk could have knocked the Englishman flat.
curious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
Englishman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very pitiful, for one swing of her trunk could have knocked the Englishman flat.
escaped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
exactly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
expression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He ceased whacking her, but she squawked for some minutes and then fell placidly asleep in the sunshine.
flat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very pitiful, for one swing of her trunk could have knocked the Englishman flat.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was very pitiful, for one swing of her trunk could have knocked the Englishman flat.
forefoot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
Gerowlia
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From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
Haggard
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From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was very pitiful, for one swing of her trunk could have knocked the Englishman flat.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
knocked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very pitiful, for one swing of her trunk could have knocked the Englishman flat.
lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He ceased whacking her, but she squawked for some minutes and then fell placidly asleep in the sunshine.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
narrowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
noises
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
patented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
pitiful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very pitiful, for one swing of her trunk could have knocked the Englishman flat.
placidly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He ceased whacking her, but she squawked for some minutes and then fell placidly asleep in the sunshine.
Rider
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
run
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He ceased whacking her, but she squawked for some minutes and then fell placidly asleep in the sunshine.
squawked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
squawking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
sunshine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He ceased whacking her, but she squawked for some minutes and then fell placidly asleep in the sunshine.
swing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very pitiful, for one swing of her trunk could have knocked the Englishman flat.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
trunk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very pitiful, for one swing of her trunk could have knocked the Englishman flat.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
used
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
verandah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very pitiful, for one swing of her trunk could have knocked the Englishman flat.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
whacking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He ceased whacking her, but she squawked for some minutes and then fell placidly asleep in the sunshine.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
writer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
