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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 THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
absolutely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was a relief, after a snowstorm, to see the too-conscientious cavity partially choked.
almost
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From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
aspect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
Avenue
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From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
beak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
black
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From this reading Built of brick and painted white, it reached a palatial climax in a facing of smooth white stone under a mansard roof, and the polished black walnut front doors opened upon a stone veranda.
bleak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
brick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Built of brick and painted white, it reached a palatial climax in a facing of smooth white stone under a mansard roof, and the polished black walnut front doors opened upon a stone veranda.
broad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the veranda a broad stone path led through the lawn and passed a stone fountain on its way to the elaborate cast-iron front gate, which was a congenial neighbour to the Oliphants’ cast-iron gate to the south.
bronze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
Built
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Built of brick and painted white, it reached a palatial climax in a facing of smooth white stone under a mansard roof, and the polished black walnut front doors opened upon a stone veranda.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
cast-iron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the veranda a broad stone path led through the lawn and passed a stone fountain on its way to the elaborate cast-iron front gate, which was a congenial neighbour to the Oliphants’ cast-iron gate to the south.
cavity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a relief, after a snowstorm, to see the too-conscientious cavity partially choked.
choked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a relief, after a snowstorm, to see the too-conscientious cavity partially choked.
climax
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From this reading Built of brick and painted white, it reached a palatial climax in a facing of smooth white stone under a mansard roof, and the polished black walnut front doors opened upon a stone veranda.
congenial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the veranda a broad stone path led through the lawn and passed a stone fountain on its way to the elaborate cast-iron front gate, which was a congenial neighbour to the Oliphants’ cast-iron gate to the south.
culminated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
doors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Built of brick and painted white, it reached a palatial climax in a facing of smooth white stone under a mansard roof, and the polished black walnut front doors opened upon a stone veranda.
effort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
eighty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
ejectory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
elaborate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the veranda a broad stone path led through the lawn and passed a stone fountain on its way to the elaborate cast-iron front gate, which was a congenial neighbour to the Oliphants’ cast-iron gate to the south.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
facing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Built of brick and painted white, it reached a palatial climax in a facing of smooth white stone under a mansard roof, and the polished black walnut front doors opened upon a stone veranda.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
fence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
fifty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
fountain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the veranda a broad stone path led through the lawn and passed a stone fountain on its way to the elaborate cast-iron front gate, which was a congenial neighbour to the Oliphants’ cast-iron gate to the south.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Built of brick and painted white, it reached a palatial climax in a facing of smooth white stone under a mansard roof, and the polished black walnut front doors opened upon a stone veranda.
frontage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
gate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the veranda a broad stone path led through the lawn and passed a stone fountain on its way to the elaborate cast-iron front gate, which was a congenial neighbour to the Oliphants’ cast-iron gate to the south.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
hundred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
iron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading From the veranda a broad stone path led through the lawn and passed a stone fountain on its way to the elaborate cast-iron front gate, which was a congenial neighbour to the Oliphants’ cast-iron gate to the south.
lawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the veranda a broad stone path led through the lawn and passed a stone fountain on its way to the elaborate cast-iron front gate, which was a congenial neighbour to the Oliphants’ cast-iron gate to the south.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the veranda a broad stone path led through the lawn and passed a stone fountain on its way to the elaborate cast-iron front gate, which was a congenial neighbour to the Oliphants’ cast-iron gate to the south.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
mansard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Built of brick and painted white, it reached a palatial climax in a facing of smooth white stone under a mansard roof, and the polished black walnut front doors opened upon a stone veranda.
National
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
neighbour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the veranda a broad stone path led through the lawn and passed a stone fountain on its way to the elaborate cast-iron front gate, which was a congenial neighbour to the Oliphants’ cast-iron gate to the south.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
north
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
observer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
Oliphants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Built of brick and painted white, it reached a palatial climax in a facing of smooth white stone under a mansard roof, and the polished black walnut front doors opened upon a stone veranda.
painful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
painted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Built of brick and painted white, it reached a palatial climax in a facing of smooth white stone under a mansard roof, and the polished black walnut front doors opened upon a stone veranda.
palatial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Built of brick and painted white, it reached a palatial climax in a facing of smooth white stone under a mansard roof, and the polished black walnut front doors opened upon a stone veranda.
partially
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a relief, after a snowstorm, to see the too-conscientious cavity partially choked.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From the veranda a broad stone path led through the lawn and passed a stone fountain on its way to the elaborate cast-iron front gate, which was a congenial neighbour to the Oliphants’ cast-iron gate to the south.
path
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the veranda a broad stone path led through the lawn and passed a stone fountain on its way to the elaborate cast-iron front gate, which was a congenial neighbour to the Oliphants’ cast-iron gate to the south.
perpetually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
polished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Built of brick and painted white, it reached a palatial climax in a facing of smooth white stone under a mansard roof, and the polished black walnut front doors opened upon a stone veranda.
proud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
prouder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Built of brick and painted white, it reached a palatial climax in a facing of smooth white stone under a mansard roof, and the polished black walnut front doors opened upon a stone veranda.
reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/
a feeling of comfort after worry or pain
From this reading It was a relief, after a snowstorm, to see the too-conscientious cavity partially choked.
roof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Built of brick and painted white, it reached a palatial climax in a facing of smooth white stone under a mansard roof, and the polished black walnut front doors opened upon a stone veranda.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a relief, after a snowstorm, to see the too-conscientious cavity partially choked.
smooth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Built of brick and painted white, it reached a palatial climax in a facing of smooth white stone under a mansard roof, and the polished black walnut front doors opened upon a stone veranda.
snowstorm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a relief, after a snowstorm, to see the too-conscientious cavity partially choked.
somewhat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
south
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the veranda a broad stone path led through the lawn and passed a stone fountain on its way to the elaborate cast-iron front gate, which was a congenial neighbour to the Oliphants’ cast-iron gate to the south.
stone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Built of brick and painted white, it reached a palatial climax in a facing of smooth white stone under a mansard roof, and the polished black walnut front doors opened upon a stone veranda.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
strain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
suggested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
summertime
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
supplied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
swan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
swan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading From the veranda a broad stone path led through the lawn and passed a stone fountain on its way to the elaborate cast-iron front gate, which was a congenial neighbour to the Oliphants’ cast-iron gate to the south.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
too-conscientious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a relief, after a snowstorm, to see the too-conscientious cavity partially choked.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Built of brick and painted white, it reached a palatial climax in a facing of smooth white stone under a mansard roof, and the polished black walnut front doors opened upon a stone veranda.
unending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Built of brick and painted white, it reached a palatial climax in a facing of smooth white stone under a mansard roof, and the polished black walnut front doors opened upon a stone veranda.
usually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
vacant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
veranda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Built of brick and painted white, it reached a palatial climax in a facing of smooth white stone under a mansard roof, and the polished black walnut front doors opened upon a stone veranda.
walnut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Built of brick and painted white, it reached a palatial climax in a facing of smooth white stone under a mansard roof, and the polished black walnut front doors opened upon a stone veranda.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
wasted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the veranda a broad stone path led through the lawn and passed a stone fountain on its way to the elaborate cast-iron front gate, which was a congenial neighbour to the Oliphants’ cast-iron gate to the south.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading From the veranda a broad stone path led through the lawn and passed a stone fountain on its way to the elaborate cast-iron front gate, which was a congenial neighbour to the Oliphants’ cast-iron gate to the south.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
winter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The stone fountain culminated in a bronze swan, usually well supplied with ejectory water in the summertime but somewhat bleak of aspect in winter, when the swan’s open beak, perpetually vacant, suggested to an observer the painful strain of unending effort absolutely wasted.
yard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Oliphants’ high white iron fence was a hundred and fifty feet long on National Avenue, a proud frontage, but the next yard to the north had one even prouder: it was of a hundred and eighty feet, and the big house that stood in this yard was almost that far back from the street.
