used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
awaitedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg.
beaksnounUS /biːks/
plural of “beak” — beaklike mouth of animals other than birds (e.g., turtles)
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
for the reason that
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading But what did he see in the clear stream below?
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
brought into existence
From this reading To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But what did he see in the clear stream below?
rid of obstructions
From this reading But what did he see in the clear stream below?
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But what did he see in the clear stream below?
disagreeableadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsəˈɡriːəbəl/
not to your liking
From this reading His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
duck'snounUS /dʌks/
possessive form of “duck” — small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs
From this reading To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg.
eggnounUS /eɡ/
animal reproductive body consisting of an ovum or embryo together with nutritive and protective envelopes; especially the thin-shelled reproductive body laid by e.g. female birds
From this reading To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg.
enabledverbUS /eˈneɪbəld/
past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
farmyardnounUS /ˈfɑːrmjɑːrd/
an area adjacent to farm buildings
From this reading To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution
From this reading His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
hatchedadjectiveUS /hætʃt/
emerged from an egg
From this reading To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg.
an iconic mental representation
From this reading His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But what did he see in the clear stream below?
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg.
cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
for more time
From this reading His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
nestnounUS /nest/
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg.
new-comer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
not any; not one
From this reading His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading But what did he see in the clear stream below?
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading But what did he see in the clear stream below?
strokedverbUS /stroʊkt/
past form of “stroke” — touch lightly and repeatedly, as with brushing motions
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
swamverbUS /swæm/
inflected form of “swim” — travel through water
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
swanverbUS /swɑːn/
to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
From this reading His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
swan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg.
swansnounUS /swɑːnz/
plural of “swan” — stately heavy-bodied aquatic bird with very long neck and usually white plumage as adult
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
a source of difficulty
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
displeasing to the senses
From this reading His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading "Kill me," said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.
accept gladly
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But what did he see in the clear stream below?
in the company of; together with
From this reading He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.
