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 By their side was a St. Bernard dog with his great baptising tongue hanging out.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Round about the elegant haughtiness of the swans clustered a number of iridescent Muscovy ducks, and a few white Aylesburys with gamboge beaks that intermittently quacked, all restless and expectant of blessings to fall over the wire-netting that eternally separated them from the heavenly hunting-ground of the lawn.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading TAVY MANSION I Hilda and Harry Hesketh stood together in the soft warm Devonshire sunshine bending above the foot-high wire-netting that separated the small ornamental pond from the lawn.
AcrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Across the pond, looking into a moored dinghy, an enormous drake with a vermilion top-knot reposed on the balustrade of the landing-steps.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round about the elegant haughtiness of the swans clustered a number of iridescent Muscovy ducks, and a few white Aylesburys with gamboge beaks that intermittently quacked, all restless and expectant of blessings to fall over the wire-netting that eternally separated them from the heavenly hunting-ground of the lawn.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Across the pond, looking into a moored dinghy, an enormous drake with a vermilion top-knot reposed on the balustrade of the landing-steps.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading TAVY MANSION I Hilda and Harry Hesketh stood together in the soft warm Devonshire sunshine bending above the foot-high wire-netting that separated the small ornamental pond from the lawn.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
Aylesburys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round about the elegant haughtiness of the swans clustered a number of iridescent Muscovy ducks, and a few white Aylesburys with gamboge beaks that intermittently quacked, all restless and expectant of blessings to fall over the wire-netting that eternally separated them from the heavenly hunting-ground of the lawn.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
balustrade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across the pond, looking into a moored dinghy, an enormous drake with a vermilion top-knot reposed on the balustrade of the landing-steps.
baptising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By their side was a St. Bernard dog with his great baptising tongue hanging out.
beaks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round about the elegant haughtiness of the swans clustered a number of iridescent Muscovy ducks, and a few white Aylesburys with gamboge beaks that intermittently quacked, all restless and expectant of blessings to fall over the wire-netting that eternally separated them from the heavenly hunting-ground of the lawn.
bending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TAVY MANSION I Hilda and Harry Hesketh stood together in the soft warm Devonshire sunshine bending above the foot-high wire-netting that separated the small ornamental pond from the lawn.
Bernard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By their side was a St. Bernard dog with his great baptising tongue hanging out.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
blessings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round about the elegant haughtiness of the swans clustered a number of iridescent Muscovy ducks, and a few white Aylesburys with gamboge beaks that intermittently quacked, all restless and expectant of blessings to fall over the wire-netting that eternally separated them from the heavenly hunting-ground of the lawn.
ByprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By their side was a St. Bernard dog with his great baptising tongue hanging out.
claw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
clustered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round about the elegant haughtiness of the swans clustered a number of iridescent Muscovy ducks, and a few white Aylesburys with gamboge beaks that intermittently quacked, all restless and expectant of blessings to fall over the wire-netting that eternally separated them from the heavenly hunting-ground of the lawn.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
Devonshire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TAVY MANSION I Hilda and Harry Hesketh stood together in the soft warm Devonshire sunshine bending above the foot-high wire-netting that separated the small ornamental pond from the lawn.
dinghy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across the pond, looking into a moored dinghy, an enormous drake with a vermilion top-knot reposed on the balustrade of the landing-steps.
dog
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By their side was a St. Bernard dog with his great baptising tongue hanging out.
downy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
drake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across the pond, looking into a moored dinghy, an enormous drake with a vermilion top-knot reposed on the balustrade of the landing-steps.
ducks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round about the elegant haughtiness of the swans clustered a number of iridescent Muscovy ducks, and a few white Aylesburys with gamboge beaks that intermittently quacked, all restless and expectant of blessings to fall over the wire-netting that eternally separated them from the heavenly hunting-ground of the lawn.
elegant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round about the elegant haughtiness of the swans clustered a number of iridescent Muscovy ducks, and a few white Aylesburys with gamboge beaks that intermittently quacked, all restless and expectant of blessings to fall over the wire-netting that eternally separated them from the heavenly hunting-ground of the lawn.
enormous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across the pond, looking into a moored dinghy, an enormous drake with a vermilion top-knot reposed on the balustrade of the landing-steps.
eternally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round about the elegant haughtiness of the swans clustered a number of iridescent Muscovy ducks, and a few white Aylesburys with gamboge beaks that intermittently quacked, all restless and expectant of blessings to fall over the wire-netting that eternally separated them from the heavenly hunting-ground of the lawn.
expectant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round about the elegant haughtiness of the swans clustered a number of iridescent Muscovy ducks, and a few white Aylesburys with gamboge beaks that intermittently quacked, all restless and expectant of blessings to fall over the wire-netting that eternally separated them from the heavenly hunting-ground of the lawn.
fall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round about the elegant haughtiness of the swans clustered a number of iridescent Muscovy ducks, and a few white Aylesburys with gamboge beaks that intermittently quacked, all restless and expectant of blessings to fall over the wire-netting that eternally separated them from the heavenly hunting-ground of the lawn.
feathers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
fellow-creature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round about the elegant haughtiness of the swans clustered a number of iridescent Muscovy ducks, and a few white Aylesburys with gamboge beaks that intermittently quacked, all restless and expectant of blessings to fall over the wire-netting that eternally separated them from the heavenly hunting-ground of the lawn.
foot-high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TAVY MANSION I Hilda and Harry Hesketh stood together in the soft warm Devonshire sunshine bending above the foot-high wire-netting that separated the small ornamental pond from the lawn.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading TAVY MANSION I Hilda and Harry Hesketh stood together in the soft warm Devonshire sunshine bending above the foot-high wire-netting that separated the small ornamental pond from the lawn.
gamboge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round about the elegant haughtiness of the swans clustered a number of iridescent Muscovy ducks, and a few white Aylesburys with gamboge beaks that intermittently quacked, all restless and expectant of blessings to fall over the wire-netting that eternally separated them from the heavenly hunting-ground of the lawn.
glittering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
good-nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading By their side was a St. Bernard dog with his great baptising tongue hanging out.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
hanging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By their side was a St. Bernard dog with his great baptising tongue hanging out.
Harry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TAVY MANSION I Hilda and Harry Hesketh stood together in the soft warm Devonshire sunshine bending above the foot-high wire-netting that separated the small ornamental pond from the lawn.
haughtiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round about the elegant haughtiness of the swans clustered a number of iridescent Muscovy ducks, and a few white Aylesburys with gamboge beaks that intermittently quacked, all restless and expectant of blessings to fall over the wire-netting that eternally separated them from the heavenly hunting-ground of the lawn.
heavenly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round about the elegant haughtiness of the swans clustered a number of iridescent Muscovy ducks, and a few white Aylesburys with gamboge beaks that intermittently quacked, all restless and expectant of blessings to fall over the wire-netting that eternally separated them from the heavenly hunting-ground of the lawn.
Hesketh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TAVY MANSION I Hilda and Harry Hesketh stood together in the soft warm Devonshire sunshine bending above the foot-high wire-netting that separated the small ornamental pond from the lawn.
Hilda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TAVY MANSION I Hilda and Harry Hesketh stood together in the soft warm Devonshire sunshine bending above the foot-high wire-netting that separated the small ornamental pond from the lawn.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading By their side was a St. Bernard dog with his great baptising tongue hanging out.
hissed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
hunting-ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round about the elegant haughtiness of the swans clustered a number of iridescent Muscovy ducks, and a few white Aylesburys with gamboge beaks that intermittently quacked, all restless and expectant of blessings to fall over the wire-netting that eternally separated them from the heavenly hunting-ground of the lawn.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading TAVY MANSION I Hilda and Harry Hesketh stood together in the soft warm Devonshire sunshine bending above the foot-high wire-netting that separated the small ornamental pond from the lawn.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading TAVY MANSION I Hilda and Harry Hesketh stood together in the soft warm Devonshire sunshine bending above the foot-high wire-netting that separated the small ornamental pond from the lawn.
intermittently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round about the elegant haughtiness of the swans clustered a number of iridescent Muscovy ducks, and a few white Aylesburys with gamboge beaks that intermittently quacked, all restless and expectant of blessings to fall over the wire-netting that eternally separated them from the heavenly hunting-ground of the lawn.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Across the pond, looking into a moored dinghy, an enormous drake with a vermilion top-knot reposed on the balustrade of the landing-steps.
iridescent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round about the elegant haughtiness of the swans clustered a number of iridescent Muscovy ducks, and a few white Aylesburys with gamboge beaks that intermittently quacked, all restless and expectant of blessings to fall over the wire-netting that eternally separated them from the heavenly hunting-ground of the lawn.
landing-steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across the pond, looking into a moored dinghy, an enormous drake with a vermilion top-knot reposed on the balustrade of the landing-steps.
lawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TAVY MANSION I Hilda and Harry Hesketh stood together in the soft warm Devonshire sunshine bending above the foot-high wire-netting that separated the small ornamental pond from the lawn.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across the pond, looking into a moored dinghy, an enormous drake with a vermilion top-knot reposed on the balustrade of the landing-steps.
malevolence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
MANSION
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TAVY MANSION I Hilda and Harry Hesketh stood together in the soft warm Devonshire sunshine bending above the foot-high wire-netting that separated the small ornamental pond from the lawn.
moored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across the pond, looking into a moored dinghy, an enormous drake with a vermilion top-knot reposed on the balustrade of the landing-steps.
Muscovy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round about the elegant haughtiness of the swans clustered a number of iridescent Muscovy ducks, and a few white Aylesburys with gamboge beaks that intermittently quacked, all restless and expectant of blessings to fall over the wire-netting that eternally separated them from the heavenly hunting-ground of the lawn.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
number
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round about the elegant haughtiness of the swans clustered a number of iridescent Muscovy ducks, and a few white Aylesburys with gamboge beaks that intermittently quacked, all restless and expectant of blessings to fall over the wire-netting that eternally separated them from the heavenly hunting-ground of the lawn.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
ornamental
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TAVY MANSION I Hilda and Harry Hesketh stood together in the soft warm Devonshire sunshine bending above the foot-high wire-netting that separated the small ornamental pond from the lawn.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By their side was a St. Bernard dog with his great baptising tongue hanging out.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Round about the elegant haughtiness of the swans clustered a number of iridescent Muscovy ducks, and a few white Aylesburys with gamboge beaks that intermittently quacked, all restless and expectant of blessings to fall over the wire-netting that eternally separated them from the heavenly hunting-ground of the lawn.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
pond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TAVY MANSION I Hilda and Harry Hesketh stood together in the soft warm Devonshire sunshine bending above the foot-high wire-netting that separated the small ornamental pond from the lawn.
quacked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round about the elegant haughtiness of the swans clustered a number of iridescent Muscovy ducks, and a few white Aylesburys with gamboge beaks that intermittently quacked, all restless and expectant of blessings to fall over the wire-netting that eternally separated them from the heavenly hunting-ground of the lawn.
reposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across the pond, looking into a moored dinghy, an enormous drake with a vermilion top-knot reposed on the balustrade of the landing-steps.
restless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round about the elegant haughtiness of the swans clustered a number of iridescent Muscovy ducks, and a few white Aylesburys with gamboge beaks that intermittently quacked, all restless and expectant of blessings to fall over the wire-netting that eternally separated them from the heavenly hunting-ground of the lawn.
Round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Round about the elegant haughtiness of the swans clustered a number of iridescent Muscovy ducks, and a few white Aylesburys with gamboge beaks that intermittently quacked, all restless and expectant of blessings to fall over the wire-netting that eternally separated them from the heavenly hunting-ground of the lawn.
separated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TAVY MANSION I Hilda and Harry Hesketh stood together in the soft warm Devonshire sunshine bending above the foot-high wire-netting that separated the small ornamental pond from the lawn.
shaggy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By their side was a St. Bernard dog with his great baptising tongue hanging out.
simply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TAVY MANSION I Hilda and Harry Hesketh stood together in the soft warm Devonshire sunshine bending above the foot-high wire-netting that separated the small ornamental pond from the lawn.
soft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TAVY MANSION I Hilda and Harry Hesketh stood together in the soft warm Devonshire sunshine bending above the foot-high wire-netting that separated the small ornamental pond from the lawn.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By their side was a St. Bernard dog with his great baptising tongue hanging out.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading TAVY MANSION I Hilda and Harry Hesketh stood together in the soft warm Devonshire sunshine bending above the foot-high wire-netting that separated the small ornamental pond from the lawn.
strong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
sunshine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TAVY MANSION I Hilda and Harry Hesketh stood together in the soft warm Devonshire sunshine bending above the foot-high wire-netting that separated the small ornamental pond from the lawn.
swam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
swans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
TAVY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TAVY MANSION I Hilda and Harry Hesketh stood together in the soft warm Devonshire sunshine bending above the foot-high wire-netting that separated the small ornamental pond from the lawn.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading TAVY MANSION I Hilda and Harry Hesketh stood together in the soft warm Devonshire sunshine bending above the foot-high wire-netting that separated the small ornamental pond from the lawn.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TAVY MANSION I Hilda and Harry Hesketh stood together in the soft warm Devonshire sunshine bending above the foot-high wire-netting that separated the small ornamental pond from the lawn.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading By their side was a St. Bernard dog with his great baptising tongue hanging out.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Round about the elegant haughtiness of the swans clustered a number of iridescent Muscovy ducks, and a few white Aylesburys with gamboge beaks that intermittently quacked, all restless and expectant of blessings to fall over the wire-netting that eternally separated them from the heavenly hunting-ground of the lawn.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TAVY MANSION I Hilda and Harry Hesketh stood together in the soft warm Devonshire sunshine bending above the foot-high wire-netting that separated the small ornamental pond from the lawn.
tonguenounUS /tongue/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading By their side was a St. Bernard dog with his great baptising tongue hanging out.
top-knot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across the pond, looking into a moored dinghy, an enormous drake with a vermilion top-knot reposed on the balustrade of the landing-steps.
tucked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
Two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
vast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
vermilion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across the pond, looking into a moored dinghy, an enormous drake with a vermilion top-knot reposed on the balustrade of the landing-steps.
warm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TAVY MANSION I Hilda and Harry Hesketh stood together in the soft warm Devonshire sunshine bending above the foot-high wire-netting that separated the small ornamental pond from the lawn.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading By their side was a St. Bernard dog with his great baptising tongue hanging out.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Two swans, glittering in the strong light, swam slowly to and fro; one had a black claw tucked up on his back among downy white feathers; the other hissed at the dog, who in his vast and shaggy good-nature simply could not understand this malevolence on the part of a fellow-creature.
wire-netting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TAVY MANSION I Hilda and Harry Hesketh stood together in the soft warm Devonshire sunshine bending above the foot-high wire-netting that separated the small ornamental pond from the lawn.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading By their side was a St. Bernard dog with his great baptising tongue hanging out.
