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Snow Flakes (From "Twice Told Tales")
Snow Flakes (From "Twice Told Tales")

Chapter I

Cover illustration for Snow Flakes (From "Twice Told Tales")
Context Illustration Reading 1/17 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.
A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.
These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.
It is to be, in good earnest, a wintry storm.
The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Snow Flakes (From "Twice Told Tales")

Chapter I

Reading 1/17 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.
Line 2
A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.
Line 3
These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.
Line 4
It is to be, in good earnest, a wintry storm.
Line 5
The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.”

Beginning noun US /ˈbeginning/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It is to be, in good earnest, a wintry storm.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.”

All words in this reading · 86

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 A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.

air

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.

alighting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.

almost

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.

aloft

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.

anticipation

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.

aspect

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.

assumed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.

atmosphere

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading It is to be, in good earnest, a wintry storm.

beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.

big

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.

blue-nosed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.

blustering

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.

cold

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.

comfortless

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.

day

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.

downward

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.

earnest

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It is to be, in good earnest, a wintry storm.

earth

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.

endurance

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.

evidently

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.

feathery

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.

few

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.

flakes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.

flight

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.

fortitude

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.

frosted

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.

frosty

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It is to be, in good earnest, a wintry storm.

gradual

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.

gray

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.

ground

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.

heavy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.

hover

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is to be, in good earnest, a wintry storm.

love

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.

melt

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.

moisture

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.

now

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.

partially

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.

people

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.

portentous

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.

rain

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.

regions

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.

remote

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.

scattered

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.

side-walks

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.

sky

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.

snow

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.

soaking

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.

storm

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.

There

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.

ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.

three

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.

touch

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.

two

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.

uncertain

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.

visible

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two or three people, visible on the side-walks, have an aspect of endurance, a blue-nosed, frosty fortitude, which is evidently assumed in anticipation of a comfortless and blustering day.

watch

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading These are not the big flakes, heavy with moisture, which melt as they touch the ground, and are portentous of a soaking rain.

whirled

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.

widely

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.

window-panes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.

wintry

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It is to be, in good earnest, a wintry storm.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.

yonder

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There is snow in yonder cold gray sky of the morning!-and, through the partially frosted window-panes, I love to watch the gradual beginning of the storm.