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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.
always
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.
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.
anew
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.
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.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
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.
away
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.
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.
bits
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.
brands
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.
bright
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.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
burning
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.
captainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
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.
caress
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.
childlike
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.
children
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.
chimney
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.
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.
claim
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.
clerk
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.
coaxing
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.
constantly
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.
crewnounUS /crew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
deserting
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.
drift
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.
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.
evince
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.
extinguished
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.
fire
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.
flag
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.
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.
flames
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.
flap
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.
flickering
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.
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.
give
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.
gleam
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.
glow
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.
goes
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.
gone
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.
hard
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.
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.
head
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.
impulsenounUS /ˈɪmpʌls/
a sudden strong desire to act
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.
instead
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.
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 /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
like
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.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
logs
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.
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.
nation
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.
needs
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.
night
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.
nursery
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.
oddly
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.
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.
parson
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.
pillow
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.
playing
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.
put
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.
remaining
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.
remembrance
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.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
sails
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.
scatter
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.
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.
second
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.
shaped
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.
shipwreck
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.
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.
sings
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.
some
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.
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.
soot
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.
sparks
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.
springing
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.
steadier
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.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
Stir
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.
tend
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.
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.
There
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.
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.
tiny
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.
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.
truck
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.
unlike
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.
up
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.
vanish
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.
wail
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.
walnut
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.
watch
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.
wave
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.
way
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.
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.
wood
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.
yonder
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.
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.
