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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 DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
also
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From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
always
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From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
any
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From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As they met him they parted and let him through, or rose and went over.
away
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From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
birds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
bush
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From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
cause
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From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
ceaseless
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From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
circumstance
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From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
closer
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From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
coming
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From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
coots
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From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
direction
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From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
DISCOVERIES
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From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
distinct
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From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
ducks
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From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
feeding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
Felix
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From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
flitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
flushed
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From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
flying
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From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
gossiping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
grebes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
haste
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
islands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
islet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
lesser
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From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading As they met him they parted and let him through, or rose and went over.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
mallards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As they met him they parted and let him through, or rose and went over.
moorhens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
movement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
NextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
noticed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading As they met him they parted and let him through, or rose and went over.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
parted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As they met him they parted and let him through, or rose and went over.
presently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As they met him they parted and let him through, or rose and went over.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
seem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
speculate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
stream
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
swimming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As they met him they parted and let him through, or rose and went over.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading As they met him they parted and let him through, or rose and went over.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
travelling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
tree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
waterfowl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As they met him they parted and let him through, or rose and went over.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
westwardadverbUS /ˈwɛstwərd/
toward the west
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
