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 I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
anxious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
bank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
board
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
brood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
cackling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
chicken-coop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
contrary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
downy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
dreamed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
duck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
duckling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
ducklings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
enchanting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
Enchantress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
FATHER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
fears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
HEAVY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
hen-mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
hysterical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
Isis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
joy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
kissed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
knowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
lap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
napkin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
NevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
picked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
PLAYING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
RACHEL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
realized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
safe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
safely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
Set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
slid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
swim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
TOparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
trooped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
valued
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
wave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
