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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 It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
AboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Above the arched doorway and upon the walls of the building were the figures of other parrots, of lions, and of monkeys.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.
approached
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From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
arched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above the arched doorway and upon the walls of the building were the figures of other parrots, of lions, and of monkeys.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
Bertha
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From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.
bottom
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From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
building
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above the arched doorway and upon the walls of the building were the figures of other parrots, of lions, and of monkeys.
buildings
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From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
capital
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.
column
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From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.
conducted
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From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.
covered
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From this reading This edifice covered the entire width of one end of the plaza.
doorway
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From this reading Above the arched doorway and upon the walls of the building were the figures of other parrots, of lions, and of monkeys.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
edifice
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From this reading This edifice covered the entire width of one end of the plaza.
end
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From this reading This edifice covered the entire width of one end of the plaza.
enormous
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From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
entire
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From this reading This edifice covered the entire width of one end of the plaza.
entrance
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From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
figures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above the arched doorway and upon the walls of the building were the figures of other parrots, of lions, and of monkeys.
flanking
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From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
flight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.
guarded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
height
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
hewn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.
human
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.
image
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
images
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.
Kircher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
largest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.
latter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.
lengthnounUS /leŋθ/
a period of time or extent
From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.
lions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
main
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
meantimenounUS /ˈmiːntaɪm/
the period of time while something else is happening
From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.
monkeys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above the arched doorway and upon the walls of the building were the figures of other parrots, of lions, and of monkeys.
most
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From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.
neared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading This edifice covered the entire width of one end of the plaza.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above the arched doorway and upon the walls of the building were the figures of other parrots, of lions, and of monkeys.
parrot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
parrots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.
pedestals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
perched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.
plaza
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.
pretentious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.
Queen's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.
semblance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.
skull
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.
steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
stone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
stories
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
Story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.
surrounding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This edifice covered the entire width of one end of the plaza.
top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above the arched doorway and upon the walls of the building were the figures of other parrots, of lions, and of monkeys.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
wide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
width
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This edifice covered the entire width of one end of the plaza.