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 COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
almanac
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A collection of this sort may be small and poorly kept and yet it is worth while.
attractive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
birds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
boxes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
child
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
cigar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
coins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
COLLECTING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
collection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
comes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
craving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
Doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
eggs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
field
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
flowers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
G
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
geography
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
grows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
human
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
insect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
INSECTS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A collection of this sort may be small and poorly kept and yet it is worth while.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
Nature's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
normal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
OEHLENSCHLAEGER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
pin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
poorly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A collection of this sort may be small and poorly kept and yet it is worth while.
post-cards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
postage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
pressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
relics
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
result
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
scruple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
searches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
secrets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
shells
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A collection of this sort may be small and poorly kept and yet it is worth while.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A collection of this sort may be small and poorly kept and yet it is worth while.
stamps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
stick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
stuffed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
usually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading A collection of this sort may be small and poorly kept and yet it is worth while.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
wild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
wishes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
worth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A collection of this sort may be small and poorly kept and yet it is worth while.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading A collection of this sort may be small and poorly kept and yet it is worth while.
