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The Princess and the Goblin
The Princess and the Goblin

Chapter XIII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/7 · 5 lines
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The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.
They were of one sort--creatures--but so grotesque and misshapen as to be more like a child's drawings upon his slate than anything natural.
They saw them only at night, while on guard about the house.
The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.
Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Princess and the Goblin

Chapter XIII

Reading 1/7 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.
Line 2
They were of one sort--creatures--but so grotesque and misshapen as to be more like a child's drawings upon his slate than anything natural.
Line 3
They saw them only at night, while on guard about the house.
Line 4
The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.
Line 5
Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.”

Anything pronoun US /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading “They were of one sort--creatures--but so grotesque and misshapen as to be more like a child's drawings upon his slate than anything natural.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.”

Body noun US /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.”

Creature noun US /ˈcreature/

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

From this reading “The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.”

Gentlemen noun US /gentlemen/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “They were of one sort--creatures--but so grotesque and misshapen as to be more like a child's drawings upon his slate than anything natural.”

Ought modal verb US /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading “Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.”

Princess noun US /ˈprɪn.ses/

The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.

From this reading “The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.”

Shadow noun US /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading “The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.”

Standing noun US /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading “The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “They were of one sort--creatures--but so grotesque and misshapen as to be more like a child's drawings upon his slate than anything natural.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “They saw them only at night, while on guard about the house.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.”

All words in this reading · 121

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 They were of one sort--creatures--but so grotesque and misshapen as to be more like a child's drawings upon his slate than anything natural.

AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading They were of one sort--creatures--but so grotesque and misshapen as to be more like a child's drawings upon his slate than anything natural.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading They were of one sort--creatures--but so grotesque and misshapen as to be more like a child's drawings upon his slate than anything natural.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading They were of one sort--creatures--but so grotesque and misshapen as to be more like a child's drawings upon his slate than anything natural.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading They saw them only at night, while on guard about the house.

ball

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

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading They were of one sort--creatures--but so grotesque and misshapen as to be more like a child's drawings upon his slate than anything natural.

bear

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

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

bodynounUS /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

boy

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

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading They were of one sort--creatures--but so grotesque and misshapen as to be more like a child's drawings upon his slate than anything natural.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

candle

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

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

carved

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

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

caught

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

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.

child's

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

From this reading They were of one sort--creatures--but so grotesque and misshapen as to be more like a child's drawings upon his slate than anything natural.

Cobs

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

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

creaturenounUS /ˈcreature/

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

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.

Creatures

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

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

declared

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

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

dog

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

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

doubt

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

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

drawings

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

From this reading They were of one sort--creatures--but so grotesque and misshapen as to be more like a child's drawings upon his slate than anything natural.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

else

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

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

eyes

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

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

face

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

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.

fled

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

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

forefeet

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

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.

gentlemennounUS /gentlemen/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

going

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

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

grotesque

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

From this reading They were of one sort--creatures--but so grotesque and misshapen as to be more like a child's drawings upon his slate than anything natural.

guard

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

From this reading They saw them only at night, while on guard about the house.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.

head

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

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

hind

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

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

honour

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

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

house

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

From this reading They saw them only at night, while on guard about the house.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.

inside

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

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.

king

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

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

legs

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

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.

like

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

From this reading They were of one sort--creatures--but so grotesque and misshapen as to be more like a child's drawings upon his slate than anything natural.

man

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

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

misshapen

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From this reading They were of one sort--creatures--but so grotesque and misshapen as to be more like a child's drawings upon his slate than anything natural.

moonlight

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

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.

more

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

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

natural

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

From this reading They were of one sort--creatures--but so grotesque and misshapen as to be more like a child's drawings upon his slate than anything natural.

night

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

From this reading They saw them only at night, while on guard about the house.

objects

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From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

occasion

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

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They saw them only at night, while on guard about the house.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading They were of one sort--creatures--but so grotesque and misshapen as to be more like a child's drawings upon his slate than anything natural.

only

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

From this reading They saw them only at night, while on guard about the house.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

own

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

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

princessnounUS /ˈprɪn.ses/

The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

put

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

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

reported

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

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.

round

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

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.

saw

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

From this reading They saw them only at night, while on guard about the house.

seen

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

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.

shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.

sight

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

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.

size

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

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

slate

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

From this reading They were of one sort--creatures--but so grotesque and misshapen as to be more like a child's drawings upon his slate than anything natural.

slowly

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

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading They were of one sort--creatures--but so grotesque and misshapen as to be more like a child's drawings upon his slate than anything natural.

sort

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

From this reading They were of one sort--creatures--but so grotesque and misshapen as to be more like a child's drawings upon his slate than anything natural.

standingnounUS /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.

staring

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

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.

strange

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

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

testimony

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

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading They saw them only at night, while on guard about the house.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

turned

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

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

turnip

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

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

twice

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

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading They were of one sort--creatures--but so grotesque and misshapen as to be more like a child's drawings upon his slate than anything natural.

walking

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

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.

watch

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

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading They saw them only at night, while on guard about the house.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

window

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

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.

window-ledge

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

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.

witness

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

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

wolf

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

From this reading Its body might have been that of a dog or wolf, he thought, but he declared on his honour that its head was twice the size it ought to have been for the size of its body, and as round as a ball, while the face, which it turned upon him as it fled, was more like one carved by a boy upon the turnip inside which he is going to put a candle than anything else he could think of.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The Cobs' Creatures About this time the gentlemen whom the king had left behind him to watch over the princess had each occasion to doubt the testimony of his own eyes, for more than strange were the objects to which they would bear witness.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading The testimony of the man who first reported having seen one of them was that, as he was walking slowly round the house, while yet in the shadow, he caught sight of a creature standing on its hind legs in the moonlight, with its forefeet upon a window-ledge, staring in at the window.