adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Stir the fire, Annie, with yonder broken fragment of a flag-staff; its truck is still remaining, though the flag is gone, and every nation might claim it.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A drift-wood fire should always have children to tend it; for there is something childlike about it, unlike the steadier glow of walnut logs.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading A drift-wood fire should always have children to tend it; for there is something childlike about it, unlike the steadier glow of walnut logs.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Stir the fire, Annie, with yonder broken fragment of a flag-staff; its truck is still remaining, though the flag is gone, and every nation might claim it.
anewadverbUS /əˈnuː/
again but in a new or different way
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
Annie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stir the fire, Annie, with yonder broken fragment of a flag-staff; its truck is still remaining, though the flag is gone, and every nation might claim it.
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As you stir, the burning brands evince a remembrance of their sea-lost life, the sparks drift away like foam-flakes, the flames wave and flap like sails, and the wail of the chimney sings a second shipwreck.
ashesnounUS /ˈæʃ.ɪz/
The powdery residue left after the burning of a substance.
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading As you stir, the burning brands evince a remembrance of their sea-lost life, the sparks drift away like foam-flakes, the flames wave and flap like sails, and the wail of the chimney sings a second shipwreck.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As the tiny scintillations gleam and scatter and vanish in the soot of the chimney-wall, instead of "There goes the parson, and there goes the clerk," it must be the captain and the crew we watch.
bitsnounUS /bɪts/
plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
brandsnounUS /brændz/
plural of “brand” — a name given to a product or service
From this reading As you stir, the burning brands evince a remembrance of their sea-lost life, the sparks drift away like foam-flakes, the flames wave and flap like sails, and the wail of the chimney sings a second shipwreck.
brightadjectiveUS /braɪt/
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
brokenadjectiveUS /ˈbroʊkən/
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading Stir the fire, Annie, with yonder broken fragment of a flag-staff; its truck is still remaining, though the flag is gone, and every nation might claim it.
burningnounUS /ˈbɜːrnɪŋ/
the act of burning something
From this reading As you stir, the burning brands evince a remembrance of their sea-lost life, the sparks drift away like foam-flakes, the flames wave and flap like sails, and the wail of the chimney sings a second shipwreck.
captainnounUS /ˈkæptən/
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading As the tiny scintillations gleam and scatter and vanish in the soot of the chimney-wall, instead of "There goes the parson, and there goes the clerk," it must be the captain and the crew we watch.
caressnounUS /kərˈes/
a gentle affectionate stroking (or something resembling it)
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
childlikeadjectiveUS /ˈtʃaɪldlaɪk/
befitting a young child
From this reading A drift-wood fire should always have children to tend it; for there is something childlike about it, unlike the steadier glow of walnut logs.
childrennounUS /ˈtʃɪldrən/
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading A drift-wood fire should always have children to tend it; for there is something childlike about it, unlike the steadier glow of walnut logs.
chimneynounUS /ˈtʃɪmni/
a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building
From this reading As you stir, the burning brands evince a remembrance of their sea-lost life, the sparks drift away like foam-flakes, the flames wave and flap like sails, and the wail of the chimney sings a second shipwreck.
chimney-wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the tiny scintillations gleam and scatter and vanish in the soot of the chimney-wall, instead of "There goes the parson, and there goes the clerk," it must be the captain and the crew we watch.
claimnounUS /kleɪm/
an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
From this reading Stir the fire, Annie, with yonder broken fragment of a flag-staff; its truck is still remaining, though the flag is gone, and every nation might claim it.
clerknounUS /klɜːrk/
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading As the tiny scintillations gleam and scatter and vanish in the soot of the chimney-wall, instead of "There goes the parson, and there goes the clerk," it must be the captain and the crew we watch.
coaxingadjectiveUS /ˈkoʊksɪŋ/
pleasingly persuasive or intended to persuade
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
constantlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːnstəntli/
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
crewnounUS /kruː/
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading As the tiny scintillations gleam and scatter and vanish in the soot of the chimney-wall, instead of "There goes the parson, and there goes the clerk," it must be the captain and the crew we watch.
desertingverbUS /ˈdezərtɪŋ/
-ing form of “desert” — leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
driftverbUS /drɪft/
be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading As you stir, the burning brands evince a remembrance of their sea-lost life, the sparks drift away like foam-flakes, the flames wave and flap like sails, and the wail of the chimney sings a second shipwreck.
drift-wood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A drift-wood fire should always have children to tend it; for there is something childlike about it, unlike the steadier glow of walnut logs.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Stir the fire, Annie, with yonder broken fragment of a flag-staff; its truck is still remaining, though the flag is gone, and every nation might claim it.
evinceverbUS /ɪˈvɪns/
give expression to
From this reading As you stir, the burning brands evince a remembrance of their sea-lost life, the sparks drift away like foam-flakes, the flames wave and flap like sails, and the wail of the chimney sings a second shipwreck.
extinguishedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃt/
of a conditioned response; caused to die out because of the absence or withdrawal of reinforcement
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/
start firing a weapon
From this reading Stir the fire, Annie, with yonder broken fragment of a flag-staff; its truck is still remaining, though the flag is gone, and every nation might claim it.
flagnounUS /flæɡ/
emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
From this reading Stir the fire, Annie, with yonder broken fragment of a flag-staff; its truck is still remaining, though the flag is gone, and every nation might claim it.
flag-staff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stir the fire, Annie, with yonder broken fragment of a flag-staff; its truck is still remaining, though the flag is gone, and every nation might claim it.
flamesnounUS /fleɪmz/
plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
From this reading As you stir, the burning brands evince a remembrance of their sea-lost life, the sparks drift away like foam-flakes, the flames wave and flap like sails, and the wail of the chimney sings a second shipwreck.
flapverbUS /flæp/
move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion
From this reading As you stir, the burning brands evince a remembrance of their sea-lost life, the sparks drift away like foam-flakes, the flames wave and flap like sails, and the wail of the chimney sings a second shipwreck.
flickeringadjectiveUS /ˈflɪkərɪŋ/
shining unsteadily
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
foam-flakes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As you stir, the burning brands evince a remembrance of their sea-lost life, the sparks drift away like foam-flakes, the flames wave and flap like sails, and the wail of the chimney sings a second shipwreck.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A drift-wood fire should always have children to tend it; for there is something childlike about it, unlike the steadier glow of walnut logs.
fragmentnounUS /ˈfræɡ.mənt/
A small part broken or separated off something larger.
From this reading Stir the fire, Annie, with yonder broken fragment of a flag-staff; its truck is still remaining, though the flag is gone, and every nation might claim it.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
giveverbUS /ɡɪv/
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
gleamverbUS /ɡliːm/
be shiny, as if wet
From this reading As the tiny scintillations gleam and scatter and vanish in the soot of the chimney-wall, instead of "There goes the parson, and there goes the clerk," it must be the captain and the crew we watch.
glownounUS /ɡloʊ/
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading A drift-wood fire should always have children to tend it; for there is something childlike about it, unlike the steadier glow of walnut logs.
goesnounUS /ɡoʊz/
plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
From this reading As the tiny scintillations gleam and scatter and vanish in the soot of the chimney-wall, instead of "There goes the parson, and there goes the clerk," it must be the captain and the crew we watch.
goneadjectiveUS /ɡɔːn/
destroyed or killed
From this reading Stir the fire, Annie, with yonder broken fragment of a flag-staff; its truck is still remaining, though the flag is gone, and every nation might claim it.
hardadjectiveUS /hɑːrd/
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A drift-wood fire should always have children to tend it; for there is something childlike about it, unlike the steadier glow of walnut logs.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
impulsenounUS /ˈɪmpəls/
an instinctive motive
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As the tiny scintillations gleam and scatter and vanish in the soot of the chimney-wall, instead of "There goes the parson, and there goes the clerk," it must be the captain and the crew we watch.
infantine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
insteadadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsted/
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading As the tiny scintillations gleam and scatter and vanish in the soot of the chimney-wall, instead of "There goes the parson, and there goes the clerk," it must be the captain and the crew we watch.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Stir the fire, Annie, with yonder broken fragment of a flag-staff; its truck is still remaining, though the flag is gone, and every nation might claim it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Stir the fire, Annie, with yonder broken fragment of a flag-staff; its truck is still remaining, though the flag is gone, and every nation might claim it.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Stir the fire, Annie, with yonder broken fragment of a flag-staff; its truck is still remaining, though the flag is gone, and every nation might claim it.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading As you stir, the burning brands evince a remembrance of their sea-lost life, the sparks drift away like foam-flakes, the flames wave and flap like sails, and the wail of the chimney sings a second shipwreck.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading As you stir, the burning brands evince a remembrance of their sea-lost life, the sparks drift away like foam-flakes, the flames wave and flap like sails, and the wail of the chimney sings a second shipwreck.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
logsnounUS /lɔːɡz/
plural of “log” — a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches
From this reading A drift-wood fire should always have children to tend it; for there is something childlike about it, unlike the steadier glow of walnut logs.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Stir the fire, Annie, with yonder broken fragment of a flag-staff; its truck is still remaining, though the flag is gone, and every nation might claim it.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading As the tiny scintillations gleam and scatter and vanish in the soot of the chimney-wall, instead of "There goes the parson, and there goes the clerk," it must be the captain and the crew we watch.
nationnounUS /ˈneɪʃən/
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Stir the fire, Annie, with yonder broken fragment of a flag-staff; its truck is still remaining, though the flag is gone, and every nation might claim it.
needsadverbUS /niːdz/
in such a manner as could not be otherwise
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
nurserynounUS /ˈnɜːrsəri/
a child's room for a baby
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
oddlyadverbUS /ˈɑːdli/
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Stir the fire, Annie, with yonder broken fragment of a flag-staff; its truck is still remaining, though the flag is gone, and every nation might claim it.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
parsonnounUS /ˈpɑːrsən/
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading As the tiny scintillations gleam and scatter and vanish in the soot of the chimney-wall, instead of "There goes the parson, and there goes the clerk," it must be the captain and the crew we watch.
pillownounUS /ˈpɪloʊ/
a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
playingnounUS /ˈpleɪɪŋ/
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
putverbUS /pʊt/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
remainingadjectiveUS /rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ/
not used up
From this reading Stir the fire, Annie, with yonder broken fragment of a flag-staff; its truck is still remaining, though the flag is gone, and every nation might claim it.
remembrancenounUS /riˈmembrəns/
the ability to recall past occurrences
From this reading As you stir, the burning brands evince a remembrance of their sea-lost life, the sparks drift away like foam-flakes, the flames wave and flap like sails, and the wail of the chimney sings a second shipwreck.
restverbUS /rest/
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
sailsnounUS /seɪlz/
plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
From this reading As you stir, the burning brands evince a remembrance of their sea-lost life, the sparks drift away like foam-flakes, the flames wave and flap like sails, and the wail of the chimney sings a second shipwreck.
scatterverbUS /ˈskætər/
to cause to separate and go in different directions
From this reading As the tiny scintillations gleam and scatter and vanish in the soot of the chimney-wall, instead of "There goes the parson, and there goes the clerk," it must be the captain and the crew we watch.
scintillations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the tiny scintillations gleam and scatter and vanish in the soot of the chimney-wall, instead of "There goes the parson, and there goes the clerk," it must be the captain and the crew we watch.
sea-lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As you stir, the burning brands evince a remembrance of their sea-lost life, the sparks drift away like foam-flakes, the flames wave and flap like sails, and the wail of the chimney sings a second shipwreck.
secondnounUS /ˈsekənd/
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading As you stir, the burning brands evince a remembrance of their sea-lost life, the sparks drift away like foam-flakes, the flames wave and flap like sails, and the wail of the chimney sings a second shipwreck.
shapedadjectiveUS /ʃeɪpt/
shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
shipwrecknounUS /ˈʃɪprek/
a wrecked ship (or a part of one)
From this reading As you stir, the burning brands evince a remembrance of their sea-lost life, the sparks drift away like foam-flakes, the flames wave and flap like sails, and the wail of the chimney sings a second shipwreck.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading A drift-wood fire should always have children to tend it; for there is something childlike about it, unlike the steadier glow of walnut logs.
singsverbUS /sɪŋz/
third-person singular of “sing” — deliver by singing
From this reading As you stir, the burning brands evince a remembrance of their sea-lost life, the sparks drift away like foam-flakes, the flames wave and flap like sails, and the wail of the chimney sings a second shipwreck.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading A drift-wood fire should always have children to tend it; for there is something childlike about it, unlike the steadier glow of walnut logs.
sootnounUS /sʊt/
a black colloidal substance consisting wholly or principally of amorphous carbon and used to make pigments and ink
From this reading As the tiny scintillations gleam and scatter and vanish in the soot of the chimney-wall, instead of "There goes the parson, and there goes the clerk," it must be the captain and the crew we watch.
sparksnounUS /spɑːrks/
plural of “spark” — a momentary flash of light
From this reading As you stir, the burning brands evince a remembrance of their sea-lost life, the sparks drift away like foam-flakes, the flames wave and flap like sails, and the wail of the chimney sings a second shipwreck.
springingverbUS /ˈsprɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
steadieradjectiveUS /ˈstediər/
comparative of “steady” — not subject to change or variation especially in behavior
From this reading A drift-wood fire should always have children to tend it; for there is something childlike about it, unlike the steadier glow of walnut logs.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading Stir the fire, Annie, with yonder broken fragment of a flag-staff; its truck is still remaining, though the flag is gone, and every nation might claim it.
StirverbUS /stɜːr/
move an implement through
From this reading Stir the fire, Annie, with yonder broken fragment of a flag-staff; its truck is still remaining, though the flag is gone, and every nation might claim it.
tendverbUS /tend/
have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined
From this reading A drift-wood fire should always have children to tend it; for there is something childlike about it, unlike the steadier glow of walnut logs.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Stir the fire, Annie, with yonder broken fragment of a flag-staff; its truck is still remaining, though the flag is gone, and every nation might claim it.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As you stir, the burning brands evince a remembrance of their sea-lost life, the sparks drift away like foam-flakes, the flames wave and flap like sails, and the wail of the chimney sings a second shipwreck.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading As the tiny scintillations gleam and scatter and vanish in the soot of the chimney-wall, instead of "There goes the parson, and there goes the clerk," it must be the captain and the crew we watch.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Stir the fire, Annie, with yonder broken fragment of a flag-staff; its truck is still remaining, though the flag is gone, and every nation might claim it.
tinyadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪni/
very small
From this reading As the tiny scintillations gleam and scatter and vanish in the soot of the chimney-wall, instead of "There goes the parson, and there goes the clerk," it must be the captain and the crew we watch.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A drift-wood fire should always have children to tend it; for there is something childlike about it, unlike the steadier glow of walnut logs.
trucknounUS /trʌk/
an automotive vehicle suitable for hauling
From this reading Stir the fire, Annie, with yonder broken fragment of a flag-staff; its truck is still remaining, though the flag is gone, and every nation might claim it.
unlikeadjectiveUS /ənˈlaɪk/
marked by dissimilarity
From this reading A drift-wood fire should always have children to tend it; for there is something childlike about it, unlike the steadier glow of walnut logs.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
vanishverbUS /ˈvænɪʃ/
get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading As the tiny scintillations gleam and scatter and vanish in the soot of the chimney-wall, instead of "There goes the parson, and there goes the clerk," it must be the captain and the crew we watch.
wailverbUS /weɪl/
emit long loud cries
From this reading As you stir, the burning brands evince a remembrance of their sea-lost life, the sparks drift away like foam-flakes, the flames wave and flap like sails, and the wail of the chimney sings a second shipwreck.
walnutnounUS /ˈwɔːlnʌt/
nut of any of various walnut trees having a wrinkled two-lobed seed with a hard shell
From this reading A drift-wood fire should always have children to tend it; for there is something childlike about it, unlike the steadier glow of walnut logs.
watchverbUS /wɑːtʃ/
look attentively
From this reading As the tiny scintillations gleam and scatter and vanish in the soot of the chimney-wall, instead of "There goes the parson, and there goes the clerk," it must be the captain and the crew we watch.
wavenounUS /weɪv/
one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading As you stir, the burning brands evince a remembrance of their sea-lost life, the sparks drift away like foam-flakes, the flames wave and flap like sails, and the wail of the chimney sings a second shipwreck.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading As the tiny scintillations gleam and scatter and vanish in the soot of the chimney-wall, instead of "There goes the parson, and there goes the clerk," it must be the captain and the crew we watch.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Stir the fire, Annie, with yonder broken fragment of a flag-staff; its truck is still remaining, though the flag is gone, and every nation might claim it.
woodnounUS /wʊd/
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading It has a coaxing, infantine way of playing with the oddly shaped bits of wood we give it, and of deserting one to caress with flickering impulse another; and at night, when it needs to be extinguished, it is as hard to put to rest as a nursery of children, for some bright little head is constantly springing up anew, from its pillow of ashes.
yonderadjectiveUS /ˈjɑːndər/
distant but within sight (“yon” is dialectal)
From this reading Stir the fire, Annie, with yonder broken fragment of a flag-staff; its truck is still remaining, though the flag is gone, and every nation might claim it.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading As you stir, the burning brands evince a remembrance of their sea-lost life, the sparks drift away like foam-flakes, the flames wave and flap like sails, and the wail of the chimney sings a second shipwreck.
