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 CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
bigger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He grew tired of shouting to the echoes: he discovered that there were even more wonderful things than the marsh echoes in the world, and that the world was bigger than he had thought it.
bird-cloud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rosy spoonbill he had killed and cried over and the great bird-cloud that had frightened him were never forgotten.
birds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
bloodnounUS /blood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
boy-brains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
CHASING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
coldness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
colour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
cracks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
criednounUS /cried/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The rosy spoonbill he had killed and cried over and the great bird-cloud that had frightened him were never forgotten.
danced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
discovered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He grew tired of shouting to the echoes: he discovered that there were even more wonderful things than the marsh echoes in the world, and that the world was bigger than he had thought it.
dry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
earth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
echoes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He grew tired of shouting to the echoes: he discovered that there were even more wonderful things than the marsh echoes in the world, and that the world was bigger than he had thought it.
efforts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
endless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He grew tired of shouting to the echoes: he discovered that there were even more wonderful things than the marsh echoes in the world, and that the world was bigger than he had thought it.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
FIGURE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
flowers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
FLYING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
forgottenadjectiveUS /fərˈɡɑːt.n̩/
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading The rosy spoonbill he had killed and cried over and the great bird-cloud that had frightened him were never forgotten.
frail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
frightened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rosy spoonbill he had killed and cried over and the great bird-cloud that had frightened him were never forgotten.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
glittered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
greater
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
grew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He grew tired of shouting to the echoes: he discovered that there were even more wonderful things than the marsh echoes in the world, and that the world was bigger than he had thought it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The rosy spoonbill he had killed and cried over and the great bird-cloud that had frightened him were never forgotten.
heat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The rosy spoonbill he had killed and cried over and the great bird-cloud that had frightened him were never forgotten.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He grew tired of shouting to the echoes: he discovered that there were even more wonderful things than the marsh echoes in the world, and that the world was bigger than he had thought it.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
killed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rosy spoonbill he had killed and cried over and the great bird-cloud that had frightened him were never forgotten.
lead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
marsh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He grew tired of shouting to the echoes: he discovered that there were even more wonderful things than the marsh echoes in the world, and that the world was bigger than he had thought it.
Martin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
miles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
Mirage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
moist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He grew tired of shouting to the echoes: he discovered that there were even more wonderful things than the marsh echoes in the world, and that the world was bigger than he had thought it.
mystery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The rosy spoonbill he had killed and cried over and the great bird-cloud that had frightened him were never forgotten.
plain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
puzzle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
puzzled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
questions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
quivered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
rosy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rosy spoonbill he had killed and cried over and the great bird-cloud that had frightened him were never forgotten.
rusty-brown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
shouting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He grew tired of shouting to the echoes: he discovered that there were even more wonderful things than the marsh echoes in the world, and that the world was bigger than he had thought it.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
spoonbill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rosy spoonbill he had killed and cried over and the great bird-cloud that had frightened him were never forgotten.
spring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
suddennounUS /sudden/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
sweet-smelling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
swimming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
telling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He grew tired of shouting to the echoes: he discovered that there were even more wonderful things than the marsh echoes in the world, and that the world was bigger than he had thought it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He grew tired of shouting to the echoes: he discovered that there were even more wonderful things than the marsh echoes in the world, and that the world was bigger than he had thought it.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He grew tired of shouting to the echoes: he discovered that there were even more wonderful things than the marsh echoes in the world, and that the world was bigger than he had thought it.
tired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He grew tired of shouting to the echoes: he discovered that there were even more wonderful things than the marsh echoes in the world, and that the world was bigger than he had thought it.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He grew tired of shouting to the echoes: he discovered that there were even more wonderful things than the marsh echoes in the world, and that the world was bigger than he had thought it.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He could talk of nothing else, and asked endless questions about it, and they told him that this strange thing was nothing but the Mirage, but of course that was not telling him enough, so that he was left to puzzle his little boy-brains over this new mystery, just as they had puzzled before over the mystery of the echoes.
turn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
vain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
veins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
verdure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
visit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
wading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
waterside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The rosy spoonbill he had killed and cried over and the great bird-cloud that had frightened him were never forgotten.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading CHASING A FLYING FIGURE After what had happened Martin could never visit the waterside and look at the great birds wading and swimming there without a feeling that was like a sudden coldness in the blood of his veins.
wonderfulnounUS /ˈwonderful/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He grew tired of shouting to the echoes: he discovered that there were even more wonderful things than the marsh echoes in the world, and that the world was bigger than he had thought it.
wondering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He grew tired of shouting to the echoes: he discovered that there were even more wonderful things than the marsh echoes in the world, and that the world was bigger than he had thought it.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading When spring with its moist verdure and frail, sweet-smelling flowers had gone; when the great plain began to turn to a rusty-brown colour, and the dry hard earth was full of cracks, and the days grew longer and the heat greater, there came an appearance of water that quivered and glittered and danced before his wondering sight, and would lead him miles from home every day in his vain efforts to find out what it was.
