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 The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
accomplish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Until then, the bees lingered around their fallen hive, and it would have been dangerous to venture beyond the smoke and heat, in order to accomplish the task.
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Until then, the bees lingered around their fallen hive, and it would have been dangerous to venture beyond the smoke and heat, in order to accomplish the task.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
assault
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
backed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Until then, the bees lingered around their fallen hive, and it would have been dangerous to venture beyond the smoke and heat, in order to accomplish the task.
bees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Until then, the bees lingered around their fallen hive, and it would have been dangerous to venture beyond the smoke and heat, in order to accomplish the task.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was noon before Ben and Gershom dared to commence the process of cutting and splitting the tree, in order to obtain the honey.
Ben
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was noon before Ben and Gershom dared to commence the process of cutting and splitting the tree, in order to obtain the honey.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Until then, the bees lingered around their fallen hive, and it would have been dangerous to venture beyond the smoke and heat, in order to accomplish the task.
borders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
Bourdon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
butterfly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
column
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
commence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was noon before Ben and Gershom dared to commence the process of cutting and splitting the tree, in order to obtain the honey.
counsels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
cutting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was noon before Ben and Gershom dared to commence the process of cutting and splitting the tree, in order to obtain the honey.
dangerous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Until then, the bees lingered around their fallen hive, and it would have been dangerous to venture beyond the smoke and heat, in order to accomplish the task.
dared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was noon before Ben and Gershom dared to commence the process of cutting and splitting the tree, in order to obtain the honey.
darts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
dear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
dense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
disposednounUS /ˈdisposed/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
drive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
fallen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Until then, the bees lingered around their fallen hive, and it would have been dangerous to venture beyond the smoke and heat, in order to accomplish the task.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
flight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
freeadjectiveUS /friː/
acting without enough restraint or discipline
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
Gershom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was noon before Ben and Gershom dared to commence the process of cutting and splitting the tree, in order to obtain the honey.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Until then, the bees lingered around their fallen hive, and it would have been dangerous to venture beyond the smoke and heat, in order to accomplish the task.
heat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Until then, the bees lingered around their fallen hive, and it would have been dangerous to venture beyond the smoke and heat, in order to accomplish the task.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
hive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Until then, the bees lingered around their fallen hive, and it would have been dangerous to venture beyond the smoke and heat, in order to accomplish the task.
honey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was noon before Ben and Gershom dared to commence the process of cutting and splitting the tree, in order to obtain the honey.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was noon before Ben and Gershom dared to commence the process of cutting and splitting the tree, in order to obtain the honey.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was noon before Ben and Gershom dared to commence the process of cutting and splitting the tree, in order to obtain the honey.
lackered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
le
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
lingered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Until then, the bees lingered around their fallen hive, and it would have been dangerous to venture beyond the smoke and heat, in order to accomplish the task.
lodgings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
noon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was noon before Ben and Gershom dared to commence the process of cutting and splitting the tree, in order to obtain the honey.
obtainverbUS /əbˈteɪn/
to get something, especially through effort
From this reading It was noon before Ben and Gershom dared to commence the process of cutting and splitting the tree, in order to obtain the honey.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was noon before Ben and Gershom dared to commence the process of cutting and splitting the tree, in order to obtain the honey.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
offer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was noon before Ben and Gershom dared to commence the process of cutting and splitting the tree, in order to obtain the honey.
possessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
process
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was noon before Ben and Gershom dared to commence the process of cutting and splitting the tree, in order to obtain the honey.
quickly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
sad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
scene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
secrets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
SIMMS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIMMS.
smoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Until then, the bees lingered around their fallen hive, and it would have been dangerous to venture beyond the smoke and heat, in order to accomplish the task.
speed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
splitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was noon before Ben and Gershom dared to commence the process of cutting and splitting the tree, in order to obtain the honey.
sweet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
task
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Until then, the bees lingered around their fallen hive, and it would have been dangerous to venture beyond the smoke and heat, in order to accomplish the task.
ThanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Until then, the bees lingered around their fallen hive, and it would have been dangerous to venture beyond the smoke and heat, in order to accomplish the task.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Until then, the bees lingered around their fallen hive, and it would have been dangerous to venture beyond the smoke and heat, in order to accomplish the task.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
to-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
tree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was noon before Ben and Gershom dared to commence the process of cutting and splitting the tree, in order to obtain the honey.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
UntilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Until then, the bees lingered around their fallen hive, and it would have been dangerous to venture beyond the smoke and heat, in order to accomplish the task.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
vapor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
venture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Until then, the bees lingered around their fallen hive, and it would have been dangerous to venture beyond the smoke and heat, in order to accomplish the task.
virtuenounUS /ˈvɝː.tʃuː/
Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was noon before Ben and Gershom dared to commence the process of cutting and splitting the tree, in order to obtain the honey.
Waving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It is true, le Bourdon possessed several secrets, of more or less virtue, to drive off the bees when disposed to assault him, but no one that was as certain as a good fire, backed by a dense column of vapor.
wings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sad butterfly, Waving his lackered wings, darts quickly on, And, by his free flight, counsels us to speed For better lodgings, and a scene more sweet, Than these dear borders offer us to-night.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Until then, the bees lingered around their fallen hive, and it would have been dangerous to venture beyond the smoke and heat, in order to accomplish the task.
