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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 “I never thought I’d see this place,” he said at last, in a whisper.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
alcoves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
aloud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had spoken aloud and he made a sign to her.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Did you know about it?” asked Mary.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “I never thought I’d see this place,” he said at last, in a whisper.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
branches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
climbing
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From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
creepers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
Didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading “Did you know about it?” asked Mary.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
evergreen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
flower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
grass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
gray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
hanging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She had spoken aloud and he made a sign to her.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I never thought I’d see this place,” he said at last, in a whisper.
I'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I never thought I’d see this place,” he said at last, in a whisper.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
inside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Did you know about it?” asked Mary.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Did you know about it?” asked Mary.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I never thought I’d see this place,” he said at last, in a whisper.
lightly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had spoken aloud and he made a sign to her.
Mary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
MISSEL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
NESTnounUS /nest/
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I never thought I’d see this place,” he said at last, in a whisper.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I never thought I’d see this place,” he said at last, in a whisper.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I never thought I’d see this place,” he said at last, in a whisper.
seats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I never thought I’d see this place,” he said at last, in a whisper.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
sign
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had spoken aloud and he made a sign to her.
softly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
spoken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had spoken aloud and he made a sign to her.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
stone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
taking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
tall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
tangle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “I never thought I’d see this place,” he said at last, in a whisper.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I never thought I’d see this place,” he said at last, in a whisper.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
THRUSH
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
trees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
urns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
walk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
walked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
watched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading THE NEST OF THE MISSEL THRUSH For two or three minutes he stood looking round him, while Mary watched him, and then he began to walk about softly, even more lightly than Mary had walked the first time she had found herself inside the four walls.
whisper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I never thought I’d see this place,” he said at last, in a whisper.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading His eyes seemed to be taking in everything—the gray trees with the gray creepers climbing over them and hanging from their branches, the tangle on the walls and among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Did you know about it?” asked Mary.
