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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 At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Tall and handsome with beautiful foreheads and quick flashing eyes, they fluttered and flew about like so many birds.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Those who had disappeared soon returned and approached the Elephant, for they seemed fearless people after all, and then our young travelers slipped into their new white robes, which, by the way, I forgot to tell you about.
all
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From this reading Those who had disappeared soon returned and approached the Elephant, for they seemed fearless people after all, and then our young travelers slipped into their new white robes, which, by the way, I forgot to tell you about.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
approached
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From this reading Those who had disappeared soon returned and approached the Elephant, for they seemed fearless people after all, and then our young travelers slipped into their new white robes, which, by the way, I forgot to tell you about.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
attempt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To attempt to describe the swiftness with which these people moved and the ease with which they darted here, there and everywhere would be difficult.
away
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From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
beautiful
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From this reading Tall and handsome with beautiful foreheads and quick flashing eyes, they fluttered and flew about like so many birds.
birds
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From this reading Tall and handsome with beautiful foreheads and quick flashing eyes, they fluttered and flew about like so many birds.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Those who had disappeared soon returned and approached the Elephant, for they seemed fearless people after all, and then our young travelers slipped into their new white robes, which, by the way, I forgot to tell you about.
caps
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From this reading No wonder that they were quick, lively and elusive for they had strange little wings on their caps and sandals, such as you have seen on statues of the winged Mercury.
darted
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From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
describe
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From this reading To attempt to describe the swiftness with which these people moved and the ease with which they darted here, there and everywhere would be difficult.
difficult
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From this reading To attempt to describe the swiftness with which these people moved and the ease with which they darted here, there and everywhere would be difficult.
disappearednounUS /ˈdisappeared/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Those who had disappeared soon returned and approached the Elephant, for they seemed fearless people after all, and then our young travelers slipped into their new white robes, which, by the way, I forgot to tell you about.
ease
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From this reading To attempt to describe the swiftness with which these people moved and the ease with which they darted here, there and everywhere would be difficult.
Elephant
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From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
elusive
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From this reading No wonder that they were quick, lively and elusive for they had strange little wings on their caps and sandals, such as you have seen on statues of the winged Mercury.
everywhere
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From this reading To attempt to describe the swiftness with which these people moved and the ease with which they darted here, there and everywhere would be difficult.
eyes
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From this reading Tall and handsome with beautiful foreheads and quick flashing eyes, they fluttered and flew about like so many birds.
fearless
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From this reading Those who had disappeared soon returned and approached the Elephant, for they seemed fearless people after all, and then our young travelers slipped into their new white robes, which, by the way, I forgot to tell you about.
few
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From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
flashing
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From this reading Tall and handsome with beautiful foreheads and quick flashing eyes, they fluttered and flew about like so many birds.
flew
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From this reading Tall and handsome with beautiful foreheads and quick flashing eyes, they fluttered and flew about like so many birds.
fluttered
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From this reading Tall and handsome with beautiful foreheads and quick flashing eyes, they fluttered and flew about like so many birds.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
foreheads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tall and handsome with beautiful foreheads and quick flashing eyes, they fluttered and flew about like so many birds.
forgot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those who had disappeared soon returned and approached the Elephant, for they seemed fearless people after all, and then our young travelers slipped into their new white robes, which, by the way, I forgot to tell you about.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
handsomenounUS /ˈhandsome/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Tall and handsome with beautiful foreheads and quick flashing eyes, they fluttered and flew about like so many birds.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading No wonder that they were quick, lively and elusive for they had strange little wings on their caps and sandals, such as you have seen on statues of the winged Mercury.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To attempt to describe the swiftness with which these people moved and the ease with which they darted here, there and everywhere would be difficult.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Those who had disappeared soon returned and approached the Elephant, for they seemed fearless people after all, and then our young travelers slipped into their new white robes, which, by the way, I forgot to tell you about.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Those who had disappeared soon returned and approached the Elephant, for they seemed fearless people after all, and then our young travelers slipped into their new white robes, which, by the way, I forgot to tell you about.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
landed
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From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
lightning-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tall and handsome with beautiful foreheads and quick flashing eyes, they fluttered and flew about like so many birds.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading No wonder that they were quick, lively and elusive for they had strange little wings on their caps and sandals, such as you have seen on statues of the winged Mercury.
lively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No wonder that they were quick, lively and elusive for they had strange little wings on their caps and sandals, such as you have seen on statues of the winged Mercury.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tall and handsome with beautiful foreheads and quick flashing eyes, they fluttered and flew about like so many birds.
Mercury
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From this reading No wonder that they were quick, lively and elusive for they had strange little wings on their caps and sandals, such as you have seen on statues of the winged Mercury.
moments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
moved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To attempt to describe the swiftness with which these people moved and the ease with which they darted here, there and everywhere would be difficult.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those who had disappeared soon returned and approached the Elephant, for they seemed fearless people after all, and then our young travelers slipped into their new white robes, which, by the way, I forgot to tell you about.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading No wonder that they were quick, lively and elusive for they had strange little wings on their caps and sandals, such as you have seen on statues of the winged Mercury.
number
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading No wonder that they were quick, lively and elusive for they had strange little wings on their caps and sandals, such as you have seen on statues of the winged Mercury.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
peep-holes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
peered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
quick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No wonder that they were quick, lively and elusive for they had strange little wings on their caps and sandals, such as you have seen on statues of the winged Mercury.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Those who had disappeared soon returned and approached the Elephant, for they seemed fearless people after all, and then our young travelers slipped into their new white robes, which, by the way, I forgot to tell you about.
robes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those who had disappeared soon returned and approached the Elephant, for they seemed fearless people after all, and then our young travelers slipped into their new white robes, which, by the way, I forgot to tell you about.
sandals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No wonder that they were quick, lively and elusive for they had strange little wings on their caps and sandals, such as you have seen on statues of the winged Mercury.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Those who had disappeared soon returned and approached the Elephant, for they seemed fearless people after all, and then our young travelers slipped into their new white robes, which, by the way, I forgot to tell you about.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
slipped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those who had disappeared soon returned and approached the Elephant, for they seemed fearless people after all, and then our young travelers slipped into their new white robes, which, by the way, I forgot to tell you about.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Tall and handsome with beautiful foreheads and quick flashing eyes, they fluttered and flew about like so many birds.
some
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From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those who had disappeared soon returned and approached the Elephant, for they seemed fearless people after all, and then our young travelers slipped into their new white robes, which, by the way, I forgot to tell you about.
speed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
statues
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No wonder that they were quick, lively and elusive for they had strange little wings on their caps and sandals, such as you have seen on statues of the winged Mercury.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No wonder that they were quick, lively and elusive for they had strange little wings on their caps and sandals, such as you have seen on statues of the winged Mercury.
strangers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading No wonder that they were quick, lively and elusive for they had strange little wings on their caps and sandals, such as you have seen on statues of the winged Mercury.
swiftness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To attempt to describe the swiftness with which these people moved and the ease with which they darted here, there and everywhere would be difficult.
Tall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tall and handsome with beautiful foreheads and quick flashing eyes, they fluttered and flew about like so many birds.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Those who had disappeared soon returned and approached the Elephant, for they seemed fearless people after all, and then our young travelers slipped into their new white robes, which, by the way, I forgot to tell you about.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading No wonder that they were quick, lively and elusive for they had strange little wings on their caps and sandals, such as you have seen on statues of the winged Mercury.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those who had disappeared soon returned and approached the Elephant, for they seemed fearless people after all, and then our young travelers slipped into their new white robes, which, by the way, I forgot to tell you about.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To attempt to describe the swiftness with which these people moved and the ease with which they darted here, there and everywhere would be difficult.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading To attempt to describe the swiftness with which these people moved and the ease with which they darted here, there and everywhere would be difficult.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To attempt to describe the swiftness with which these people moved and the ease with which they darted here, there and everywhere would be difficult.
ThosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Those who had disappeared soon returned and approached the Elephant, for they seemed fearless people after all, and then our young travelers slipped into their new white robes, which, by the way, I forgot to tell you about.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
travelers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those who had disappeared soon returned and approached the Elephant, for they seemed fearless people after all, and then our young travelers slipped into their new white robes, which, by the way, I forgot to tell you about.
view
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those who had disappeared soon returned and approached the Elephant, for they seemed fearless people after all, and then our young travelers slipped into their new white robes, which, by the way, I forgot to tell you about.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading To attempt to describe the swiftness with which these people moved and the ease with which they darted here, there and everywhere would be difficult.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those who had disappeared soon returned and approached the Elephant, for they seemed fearless people after all, and then our young travelers slipped into their new white robes, which, by the way, I forgot to tell you about.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Those who had disappeared soon returned and approached the Elephant, for they seemed fearless people after all, and then our young travelers slipped into their new white robes, which, by the way, I forgot to tell you about.
winged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No wonder that they were quick, lively and elusive for they had strange little wings on their caps and sandals, such as you have seen on statues of the winged Mercury.
wings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No wonder that they were quick, lively and elusive for they had strange little wings on their caps and sandals, such as you have seen on statues of the winged Mercury.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
wonder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No wonder that they were quick, lively and elusive for they had strange little wings on their caps and sandals, such as you have seen on statues of the winged Mercury.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading To attempt to describe the swiftness with which these people moved and the ease with which they darted here, there and everywhere would be difficult.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading No wonder that they were quick, lively and elusive for they had strange little wings on their caps and sandals, such as you have seen on statues of the winged Mercury.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first our young people kept still and peered through the peep-holes to get a good view of the strangers, but for some moments few were to be seen, as most of their number had darted away with lightning-like speed when the Elephant landed.
