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 At the very first step she made on the rope ladder, Freda sustained a sudden shock which almost caused her to lose her grip of the ropes.
accompaniment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The beating of the advancing tide on the rocks below made a mournful accompaniment to the bird’s wailing; and Freda, startled and alarmed, clung tremblingly to the ladder, not daring to descend a single step, as she felt the rush of air fanned by their long wings, and dreaded lest the great birds should attack her.
advancing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The beating of the advancing tide on the rocks below made a mournful accompaniment to the bird’s wailing; and Freda, startled and alarmed, clung tremblingly to the ladder, not daring to descend a single step, as she felt the rush of air fanned by their long wings, and dreaded lest the great birds should attack her.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
alarm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
alarmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The beating of the advancing tide on the rocks below made a mournful accompaniment to the bird’s wailing; and Freda, startled and alarmed, clung tremblingly to the ladder, not daring to descend a single step, as she felt the rush of air fanned by their long wings, and dreaded lest the great birds should attack her.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the very first step she made on the rope ladder, Freda sustained a sudden shock which almost caused her to lose her grip of the ropes.
AlthoughconjunctionUS /ˌɔːlˈðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although she had heard the shrill sea-bird’s cry before, it had never sounded so lugubrious as now.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Although she had heard the shrill sea-bird’s cry before, it had never sounded so lugubrious as now.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the very first step she made on the rope ladder, Freda sustained a sudden shock which almost caused her to lose her grip of the ropes.
attack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The beating of the advancing tide on the rocks below made a mournful accompaniment to the bird’s wailing; and Freda, startled and alarmed, clung tremblingly to the ladder, not daring to descend a single step, as she felt the rush of air fanned by their long wings, and dreaded lest the great birds should attack her.
beating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The beating of the advancing tide on the rocks below made a mournful accompaniment to the bird’s wailing; and Freda, startled and alarmed, clung tremblingly to the ladder, not daring to descend a single step, as she felt the rush of air fanned by their long wings, and dreaded lest the great birds should attack her.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Although she had heard the shrill sea-bird’s cry before, it had never sounded so lugubrious as now.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
bird's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The beating of the advancing tide on the rocks below made a mournful accompaniment to the bird’s wailing; and Freda, startled and alarmed, clung tremblingly to the ladder, not daring to descend a single step, as she felt the rush of air fanned by their long wings, and dreaded lest the great birds should attack her.
birds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The beating of the advancing tide on the rocks below made a mournful accompaniment to the bird’s wailing; and Freda, startled and alarmed, clung tremblingly to the ladder, not daring to descend a single step, as she felt the rush of air fanned by their long wings, and dreaded lest the great birds should attack her.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
caused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the very first step she made on the rope ladder, Freda sustained a sudden shock which almost caused her to lose her grip of the ropes.
circled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
cleft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
clung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The beating of the advancing tide on the rocks below made a mournful accompaniment to the bird’s wailing; and Freda, startled and alarmed, clung tremblingly to the ladder, not daring to descend a single step, as she felt the rush of air fanned by their long wings, and dreaded lest the great birds should attack her.
companions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
cry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
daring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The beating of the advancing tide on the rocks below made a mournful accompaniment to the bird’s wailing; and Freda, startled and alarmed, clung tremblingly to the ladder, not daring to descend a single step, as she felt the rush of air fanned by their long wings, and dreaded lest the great birds should attack her.
descend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The beating of the advancing tide on the rocks below made a mournful accompaniment to the bird’s wailing; and Freda, startled and alarmed, clung tremblingly to the ladder, not daring to descend a single step, as she felt the rush of air fanned by their long wings, and dreaded lest the great birds should attack her.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading At last, one by one, they circled lower and lower, until they reached the sea, and, folding their wings, settled in a flock upon the water: not till then did the girl venture to proceed on her journey.
dreaded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The beating of the advancing tide on the rocks below made a mournful accompaniment to the bird’s wailing; and Freda, startled and alarmed, clung tremblingly to the ladder, not daring to descend a single step, as she felt the rush of air fanned by their long wings, and dreaded lest the great birds should attack her.
fanned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The beating of the advancing tide on the rocks below made a mournful accompaniment to the bird’s wailing; and Freda, startled and alarmed, clung tremblingly to the ladder, not daring to descend a single step, as she felt the rush of air fanned by their long wings, and dreaded lest the great birds should attack her.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The beating of the advancing tide on the rocks below made a mournful accompaniment to the bird’s wailing; and Freda, startled and alarmed, clung tremblingly to the ladder, not daring to descend a single step, as she felt the rush of air fanned by their long wings, and dreaded lest the great birds should attack her.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
first
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the very first step she made on the rope ladder, Freda sustained a sudden shock which almost caused her to lose her grip of the ropes.
flew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
flock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, one by one, they circled lower and lower, until they reached the sea, and, folding their wings, settled in a flock upon the water: not till then did the girl venture to proceed on her journey.
folding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, one by one, they circled lower and lower, until they reached the sea, and, folding their wings, settled in a flock upon the water: not till then did the girl venture to proceed on her journey.
Freda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the very first step she made on the rope ladder, Freda sustained a sudden shock which almost caused her to lose her grip of the ropes.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, one by one, they circled lower and lower, until they reached the sea, and, folding their wings, settled in a flock upon the water: not till then did the girl venture to proceed on her journey.
great
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
grey-white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
grip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the very first step she made on the rope ladder, Freda sustained a sudden shock which almost caused her to lose her grip of the ropes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Although she had heard the shrill sea-bird’s cry before, it had never sounded so lugubrious as now.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although she had heard the shrill sea-bird’s cry before, it had never sounded so lugubrious as now.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading At the very first step she made on the rope ladder, Freda sustained a sudden shock which almost caused her to lose her grip of the ropes.
host
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Although she had heard the shrill sea-bird’s cry before, it had never sounded so lugubrious as now.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
journey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, one by one, they circled lower and lower, until they reached the sea, and, folding their wings, settled in a flock upon the water: not till then did the girl venture to proceed on her journey.
keeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
ladder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the very first step she made on the rope ladder, Freda sustained a sudden shock which almost caused her to lose her grip of the ropes.
last
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, one by one, they circled lower and lower, until they reached the sea, and, folding their wings, settled in a flock upon the water: not till then did the girl venture to proceed on her journey.
lestconjunctionUS /lest/
in order that something should not happen
From this reading The beating of the advancing tide on the rocks below made a mournful accompaniment to the bird’s wailing; and Freda, startled and alarmed, clung tremblingly to the ladder, not daring to descend a single step, as she felt the rush of air fanned by their long wings, and dreaded lest the great birds should attack her.
long
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
lose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the very first step she made on the rope ladder, Freda sustained a sudden shock which almost caused her to lose her grip of the ropes.
lower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, one by one, they circled lower and lower, until they reached the sea, and, folding their wings, settled in a flock upon the water: not till then did the girl venture to proceed on her journey.
lugubrious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although she had heard the shrill sea-bird’s cry before, it had never sounded so lugubrious as now.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the very first step she made on the rope ladder, Freda sustained a sudden shock which almost caused her to lose her grip of the ropes.
melancholy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
mournful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The beating of the advancing tide on the rocks below made a mournful accompaniment to the bird’s wailing; and Freda, startled and alarmed, clung tremblingly to the ladder, not daring to descend a single step, as she felt the rush of air fanned by their long wings, and dreaded lest the great birds should attack her.
never
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although she had heard the shrill sea-bird’s cry before, it had never sounded so lugubrious as now.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The beating of the advancing tide on the rocks below made a mournful accompaniment to the bird’s wailing; and Freda, startled and alarmed, clung tremblingly to the ladder, not daring to descend a single step, as she felt the rush of air fanned by their long wings, and dreaded lest the great birds should attack her.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although she had heard the shrill sea-bird’s cry before, it had never sounded so lugubrious as now.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At the very first step she made on the rope ladder, Freda sustained a sudden shock which almost caused her to lose her grip of the ropes.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At the very first step she made on the rope ladder, Freda sustained a sudden shock which almost caused her to lose her grip of the ropes.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At last, one by one, they circled lower and lower, until they reached the sea, and, folding their wings, settled in a flock upon the water: not till then did the girl venture to proceed on her journey.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
proceed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, one by one, they circled lower and lower, until they reached the sea, and, folding their wings, settled in a flock upon the water: not till then did the girl venture to proceed on her journey.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, one by one, they circled lower and lower, until they reached the sea, and, folding their wings, settled in a flock upon the water: not till then did the girl venture to proceed on her journey.
rock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
rocks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The beating of the advancing tide on the rocks below made a mournful accompaniment to the bird’s wailing; and Freda, startled and alarmed, clung tremblingly to the ladder, not daring to descend a single step, as she felt the rush of air fanned by their long wings, and dreaded lest the great birds should attack her.
rope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the very first step she made on the rope ladder, Freda sustained a sudden shock which almost caused her to lose her grip of the ropes.
ropes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the very first step she made on the rope ladder, Freda sustained a sudden shock which almost caused her to lose her grip of the ropes.
rush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The beating of the advancing tide on the rocks below made a mournful accompaniment to the bird’s wailing; and Freda, startled and alarmed, clung tremblingly to the ladder, not daring to descend a single step, as she felt the rush of air fanned by their long wings, and dreaded lest the great birds should attack her.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, one by one, they circled lower and lower, until they reached the sea, and, folding their wings, settled in a flock upon the water: not till then did the girl venture to proceed on her journey.
sea-bird's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although she had heard the shrill sea-bird’s cry before, it had never sounded so lugubrious as now.
sea-gull
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
settled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, one by one, they circled lower and lower, until they reached the sea, and, folding their wings, settled in a flock upon the water: not till then did the girl venture to proceed on her journey.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At the very first step she made on the rope ladder, Freda sustained a sudden shock which almost caused her to lose her grip of the ropes.
shock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the very first step she made on the rope ladder, Freda sustained a sudden shock which almost caused her to lose her grip of the ropes.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading The beating of the advancing tide on the rocks below made a mournful accompaniment to the bird’s wailing; and Freda, startled and alarmed, clung tremblingly to the ladder, not daring to descend a single step, as she felt the rush of air fanned by their long wings, and dreaded lest the great birds should attack her.
shrill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although she had heard the shrill sea-bird’s cry before, it had never sounded so lugubrious as now.
single
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The beating of the advancing tide on the rocks below made a mournful accompaniment to the bird’s wailing; and Freda, startled and alarmed, clung tremblingly to the ladder, not daring to descend a single step, as she felt the rush of air fanned by their long wings, and dreaded lest the great birds should attack her.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Although she had heard the shrill sea-bird’s cry before, it had never sounded so lugubrious as now.
sounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although she had heard the shrill sea-bird’s cry before, it had never sounded so lugubrious as now.
startled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The beating of the advancing tide on the rocks below made a mournful accompaniment to the bird’s wailing; and Freda, startled and alarmed, clung tremblingly to the ladder, not daring to descend a single step, as she felt the rush of air fanned by their long wings, and dreaded lest the great birds should attack her.
step
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the very first step she made on the rope ladder, Freda sustained a sudden shock which almost caused her to lose her grip of the ropes.
still
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
sudden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the very first step she made on the rope ladder, Freda sustained a sudden shock which almost caused her to lose her grip of the ropes.
sustained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the very first step she made on the rope ladder, Freda sustained a sudden shock which almost caused her to lose her grip of the ropes.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At the very first step she made on the rope ladder, Freda sustained a sudden shock which almost caused her to lose her grip of the ropes.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The beating of the advancing tide on the rocks below made a mournful accompaniment to the bird’s wailing; and Freda, startled and alarmed, clung tremblingly to the ladder, not daring to descend a single step, as she felt the rush of air fanned by their long wings, and dreaded lest the great birds should attack her.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, one by one, they circled lower and lower, until they reached the sea, and, folding their wings, settled in a flock upon the water: not till then did the girl venture to proceed on her journey.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At last, one by one, they circled lower and lower, until they reached the sea, and, folding their wings, settled in a flock upon the water: not till then did the girl venture to proceed on her journey.
tide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The beating of the advancing tide on the rocks below made a mournful accompaniment to the bird’s wailing; and Freda, startled and alarmed, clung tremblingly to the ladder, not daring to descend a single step, as she felt the rush of air fanned by their long wings, and dreaded lest the great birds should attack her.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading At last, one by one, they circled lower and lower, until they reached the sea, and, folding their wings, settled in a flock upon the water: not till then did the girl venture to proceed on her journey.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At the very first step she made on the rope ladder, Freda sustained a sudden shock which almost caused her to lose her grip of the ropes.
touching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
tremblingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The beating of the advancing tide on the rocks below made a mournful accompaniment to the bird’s wailing; and Freda, startled and alarmed, clung tremblingly to the ladder, not daring to descend a single step, as she felt the rush of air fanned by their long wings, and dreaded lest the great birds should attack her.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading At last, one by one, they circled lower and lower, until they reached the sea, and, folding their wings, settled in a flock upon the water: not till then did the girl venture to proceed on her journey.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading At last, one by one, they circled lower and lower, until they reached the sea, and, folding their wings, settled in a flock upon the water: not till then did the girl venture to proceed on her journey.
venture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, one by one, they circled lower and lower, until they reached the sea, and, folding their wings, settled in a flock upon the water: not till then did the girl venture to proceed on her journey.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the very first step she made on the rope ladder, Freda sustained a sudden shock which almost caused her to lose her grip of the ropes.
wailing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
warning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, one by one, they circled lower and lower, until they reached the sea, and, folding their wings, settled in a flock upon the water: not till then did the girl venture to proceed on her journey.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At the very first step she made on the rope ladder, Freda sustained a sudden shock which almost caused her to lose her grip of the ropes.
wild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
wings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading With a wild, wailing cry, a great sea-gull flew out from a cleft in the rock a few feet from her, and almost touching her with its long grey-white wings, flew past her and circled in the air below, still keeping up its melancholy cry of alarm or warning, which was taken up by a host of its companions.