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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 Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
aching
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From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
again
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From this reading As soon as possible he went out again--missed twice and hit once.
aim
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From this reading Just as he was taking aim a fourth time his foot slipped, and he tumbled backwards, followed by a small avalanche, which half buried him at the foot of the rock.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading FINDING SNOW-BIRDS AND LOSING THE CAPTAIN.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Just as he was taking aim a fourth time his foot slipped, and he tumbled backwards, followed by a small avalanche, which half buried him at the foot of the rock.
avalanche
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From this reading Just as he was taking aim a fourth time his foot slipped, and he tumbled backwards, followed by a small avalanche, which half buried him at the foot of the rock.
backwards
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From this reading Just as he was taking aim a fourth time his foot slipped, and he tumbled backwards, followed by a small avalanche, which half buried him at the foot of the rock.
became
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From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
bird
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From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
boy
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From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
bravely
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From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
buried
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From this reading Just as he was taking aim a fourth time his foot slipped, and he tumbled backwards, followed by a small avalanche, which half buried him at the foot of the rock.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Just as he was taking aim a fourth time his foot slipped, and he tumbled backwards, followed by a small avalanche, which half buried him at the foot of the rock.
CAPTAIN
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From this reading FINDING SNOW-BIRDS AND LOSING THE CAPTAIN.
cold
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From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
crept
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From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
dance
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From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
down
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From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
ears
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From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
FINDING
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From this reading FINDING SNOW-BIRDS AND LOSING THE CAPTAIN.
fingers
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From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
flock
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From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
followed
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From this reading Just as he was taking aim a fourth time his foot slipped, and he tumbled backwards, followed by a small avalanche, which half buried him at the foot of the rock.
foot
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From this reading Just as he was taking aim a fourth time his foot slipped, and he tumbled backwards, followed by a small avalanche, which half buried him at the foot of the rock.
forget
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From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
fourth
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From this reading Just as he was taking aim a fourth time his foot slipped, and he tumbled backwards, followed by a small avalanche, which half buried him at the foot of the rock.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
half
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From this reading Just as he was taking aim a fourth time his foot slipped, and he tumbled backwards, followed by a small avalanche, which half buried him at the foot of the rock.
hands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
heat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Just as he was taking aim a fourth time his foot slipped, and he tumbled backwards, followed by a small avalanche, which half buried him at the foot of the rock.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
hit
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From this reading As soon as possible he went out again--missed twice and hit once.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
Jim
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From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
Just
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From this reading Just as he was taking aim a fourth time his foot slipped, and he tumbled backwards, followed by a small avalanche, which half buried him at the foot of the rock.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
knew
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From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
knocked
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From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
little
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
LOSING
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From this reading FINDING SNOW-BIRDS AND LOSING THE CAPTAIN.
manage
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From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
missed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as possible he went out again--missed twice and hit once.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as possible he went out again--missed twice and hit once.
out
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From this reading As soon as possible he went out again--missed twice and hit once.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
pain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as possible he went out again--missed twice and hit once.
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
recovered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
rock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just as he was taking aim a fourth time his foot slipped, and he tumbled backwards, followed by a small avalanche, which half buried him at the foot of the rock.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
slipped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just as he was taking aim a fourth time his foot slipped, and he tumbled backwards, followed by a small avalanche, which half buried him at the foot of the rock.
slow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just as he was taking aim a fourth time his foot slipped, and he tumbled backwards, followed by a small avalanche, which half buried him at the foot of the rock.
SNOW-BIRDS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FINDING SNOW-BIRDS AND LOSING THE CAPTAIN.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as possible he went out again--missed twice and hit once.
statue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
stiff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
stinging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
stove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
stuck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
taking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just as he was taking aim a fourth time his foot slipped, and he tumbled backwards, followed by a small avalanche, which half buried him at the foot of the rock.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FINDING SNOW-BIRDS AND LOSING THE CAPTAIN.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
time
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just as he was taking aim a fourth time his foot slipped, and he tumbled backwards, followed by a small avalanche, which half buried him at the foot of the rock.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
trying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
tumbled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just as he was taking aim a fourth time his foot slipped, and he tumbled backwards, followed by a small avalanche, which half buried him at the foot of the rock.
twice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as possible he went out again--missed twice and hit once.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
weapon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
went
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as possible he went out again--missed twice and hit once.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Jim knew he must keep quiet, so he stood like a statue, trying to forget his stinging ears, until the flock had recovered from its surprise, when he knocked over a second bird.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Just as he was taking aim a fourth time his foot slipped, and he tumbled backwards, followed by a small avalanche, which half buried him at the foot of the rock.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
wring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was slow and very cold work, but the boy stuck to it bravely until his fingers became so stiff that he could not manage his little weapon, and then he crept down to the stove, to dance about and wring his hands with pain as the heat of the room set them aching.
