adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
allowedverbUS /əˈlaʊd/
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading So the girl and the sailor allowed themselves to float downward until they rested their bodies on two of the couches nearest the throne, which were willingly vacated for them by the mermaids who occupied them until then.
althoughconjunctionUS /ˌɔːlˈðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading EXPLORING THE OCEAN The queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease.
answeringadjectiveUS /ˈænsərɪŋ/
replying
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Trot and Cap'n Bill each took some, and the little girl found the fruits delicious to eat, as they had a richer flavor than any that grew upon land.
applesnounUS /ˈæpəlz/
plural of “apple” — fruit with red or yellow or green skin and sweet to tart crisp whitish flesh
From this reading During the conversation several sea-maids came swimming into the room bearing trays of sea apples and other fruit, which they first offered to the queen, and then passed the refreshments around to the company assembled.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading During the conversation several sea-maids came swimming into the room bearing trays of sea apples and other fruit, which they first offered to the queen, and then passed the refreshments around to the company assembled.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Trot and Cap'n Bill each took some, and the little girl found the fruits delicious to eat, as they had a richer flavor than any that grew upon land.
assembledverbUS /əˈsembəld/
past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together
From this reading During the conversation several sea-maids came swimming into the room bearing trays of sea apples and other fruit, which they first offered to the queen, and then passed the refreshments around to the company assembled.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading EXPLORING THE OCEAN The queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease.
bearingnounUS /ˈberɪŋ/
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading During the conversation several sea-maids came swimming into the room bearing trays of sea apples and other fruit, which they first offered to the queen, and then passed the refreshments around to the company assembled.
BillnounUS /bɪl/
a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading Trot and Cap'n Bill each took some, and the little girl found the fruits delicious to eat, as they had a richer flavor than any that grew upon land.
bodiesnounUS /ˈbɑːdiz/
plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading So the girl and the sailor allowed themselves to float downward until they rested their bodies on two of the couches nearest the throne, which were willingly vacated for them by the mermaids who occupied them until then.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading So the girl and the sailor allowed themselves to float downward until they rested their bodies on two of the couches nearest the throne, which were willingly vacated for them by the mermaids who occupied them until then.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading During the conversation several sea-maids came swimming into the room bearing trays of sea apples and other fruit, which they first offered to the queen, and then passed the refreshments around to the company assembled.
Cap'n
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Trot and Cap'n Bill each took some, and the little girl found the fruits delicious to eat, as they had a richer flavor than any that grew upon land.
companynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading During the conversation several sea-maids came swimming into the room bearing trays of sea apples and other fruit, which they first offered to the queen, and then passed the refreshments around to the company assembled.
conversationnounUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃən/
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading During the conversation several sea-maids came swimming into the room bearing trays of sea apples and other fruit, which they first offered to the queen, and then passed the refreshments around to the company assembled.
couchesnounUS /ˈkaʊtʃɪz/
plural of “couch” — an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading EXPLORING THE OCEAN The queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease.
deliciousadjectiveUS /dɪˈlɪʃəs/
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading Trot and Cap'n Bill each took some, and the little girl found the fruits delicious to eat, as they had a richer flavor than any that grew upon land.
detailsnounUS /dɪˈteɪlz/
true confidential information
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
downwardadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnwərd/
extending or moving from a higher to a lower place
From this reading So the girl and the sailor allowed themselves to float downward until they rested their bodies on two of the couches nearest the throne, which were willingly vacated for them by the mermaids who occupied them until then.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the conversation several sea-maids came swimming into the room bearing trays of sea apples and other fruit, which they first offered to the queen, and then passed the refreshments around to the company assembled.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Trot and Cap'n Bill each took some, and the little girl found the fruits delicious to eat, as they had a richer flavor than any that grew upon land.
earthnounUS /ɜːrθ/
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
easeverbUS /iːz/
move gently or carefully
From this reading EXPLORING THE OCEAN The queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease.
eatverbUS /iːt/
take in solid food
From this reading Trot and Cap'n Bill each took some, and the little girl found the fruits delicious to eat, as they had a richer flavor than any that grew upon land.
EXPLORINGverbUS /ɪkˈsplɔːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “explore” — inquire into
From this reading EXPLORING THE OCEAN The queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading During the conversation several sea-maids came swimming into the room bearing trays of sea apples and other fruit, which they first offered to the queen, and then passed the refreshments around to the company assembled.
flavornounUS /ˈfleɪvər/
the general atmosphere of a place or situation and the effect that it has on people
From this reading Trot and Cap'n Bill each took some, and the little girl found the fruits delicious to eat, as they had a richer flavor than any that grew upon land.
floatverbUS /floʊt/
be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading So the girl and the sailor allowed themselves to float downward until they rested their bodies on two of the couches nearest the throne, which were willingly vacated for them by the mermaids who occupied them until then.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading So the girl and the sailor allowed themselves to float downward until they rested their bodies on two of the couches nearest the throne, which were willingly vacated for them by the mermaids who occupied them until then.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading EXPLORING THE OCEAN The queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease.
fruitnounUS /fruːt/
the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant
From this reading During the conversation several sea-maids came swimming into the room bearing trays of sea apples and other fruit, which they first offered to the queen, and then passed the refreshments around to the company assembled.
fruitsnounUS /fruːts/
plural of “fruit” — the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant
From this reading Trot and Cap'n Bill each took some, and the little girl found the fruits delicious to eat, as they had a richer flavor than any that grew upon land.
girlnounUS /ɡɜːrl/
a young female
From this reading So the girl and the sailor allowed themselves to float downward until they rested their bodies on two of the couches nearest the throne, which were willingly vacated for them by the mermaids who occupied them until then.
goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/
the act of departing
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
greatlyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪtli/
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
grewverbUS /ɡruː/
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Trot and Cap'n Bill each took some, and the little girl found the fruits delicious to eat, as they had a richer flavor than any that grew upon land.
guestsnounUS /ɡests/
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading EXPLORING THE OCEAN The queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading EXPLORING THE OCEAN The queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
interestedadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəstɪd/
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading During the conversation several sea-maids came swimming into the room bearing trays of sea apples and other fruit, which they first offered to the queen, and then passed the refreshments around to the company assembled.
keptadjectiveUS /kept/
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
landnounUS /lænd/
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Trot and Cap'n Bill each took some, and the little girl found the fruits delicious to eat, as they had a richer flavor than any that grew upon land.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading EXPLORING THE OCEAN The queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
mermaidsnounUS /ˈmɜːrmeɪdz/
plural of “mermaid” — half woman and half fish; lives in the sea
From this reading So the girl and the sailor allowed themselves to float downward until they rested their bodies on two of the couches nearest the throne, which were willingly vacated for them by the mermaids who occupied them until then.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading EXPLORING THE OCEAN The queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading EXPLORING THE OCEAN The queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease.
nearestadverbUS /ˈnɪrəst/
(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance
From this reading So the girl and the sailor allowed themselves to float downward until they rested their bodies on two of the couches nearest the throne, which were willingly vacated for them by the mermaids who occupied them until then.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading EXPLORING THE OCEAN The queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease.
occupiedadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪd/
held or filled or in use
From this reading So the girl and the sailor allowed themselves to float downward until they rested their bodies on two of the couches nearest the throne, which were willingly vacated for them by the mermaids who occupied them until then.
OCEANnounUS /ˈoʊʃən/
a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
From this reading EXPLORING THE OCEAN The queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading So the girl and the sailor allowed themselves to float downward until they rested their bodies on two of the couches nearest the throne, which were willingly vacated for them by the mermaids who occupied them until then.
offeredverbUS /ˈɔːfərd/
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading During the conversation several sea-maids came swimming into the room bearing trays of sea apples and other fruit, which they first offered to the queen, and then passed the refreshments around to the company assembled.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading So the girl and the sailor allowed themselves to float downward until they rested their bodies on two of the couches nearest the throne, which were willingly vacated for them by the mermaids who occupied them until then.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading During the conversation several sea-maids came swimming into the room bearing trays of sea apples and other fruit, which they first offered to the queen, and then passed the refreshments around to the company assembled.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading During the conversation several sea-maids came swimming into the room bearing trays of sea apples and other fruit, which they first offered to the queen, and then passed the refreshments around to the company assembled.
queennounUS /kwiːn/
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading EXPLORING THE OCEAN The queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease.
questionsnounUS /ˈkwestʃənz/
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
reclineverbUS /rɪˈklaɪn/
move the upper body backwards and down
From this reading EXPLORING THE OCEAN The queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease.
refreshmentsnounUS /rəˈfreʃmənts/
plural of “refreshment” — snacks and drinks served as a light meal
From this reading During the conversation several sea-maids came swimming into the room bearing trays of sea apples and other fruit, which they first offered to the queen, and then passed the refreshments around to the company assembled.
requestedadjectiveUS /rɪˈkwestɪd/
asked for
From this reading EXPLORING THE OCEAN The queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease.
restverbUS /rest/
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading EXPLORING THE OCEAN The queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease.
restedadjectiveUS /ˈrestəd/
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading So the girl and the sailor allowed themselves to float downward until they rested their bodies on two of the couches nearest the throne, which were willingly vacated for them by the mermaids who occupied them until then.
richeradjectiveUS /ˈrɪtʃər/
comparative of “rich” — possessing material wealth
From this reading Trot and Cap'n Bill each took some, and the little girl found the fruits delicious to eat, as they had a richer flavor than any that grew upon land.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading During the conversation several sea-maids came swimming into the room bearing trays of sea apples and other fruit, which they first offered to the queen, and then passed the refreshments around to the company assembled.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
sailornounUS /ˈseɪlər/
any member of a ship's crew
From this reading So the girl and the sailor allowed themselves to float downward until they rested their bodies on two of the couches nearest the throne, which were willingly vacated for them by the mermaids who occupied them until then.
seanounUS /siː/
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading During the conversation several sea-maids came swimming into the room bearing trays of sea apples and other fruit, which they first offered to the queen, and then passed the refreshments around to the company assembled.
sea-maids
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the conversation several sea-maids came swimming into the room bearing trays of sea apples and other fruit, which they first offered to the queen, and then passed the refreshments around to the company assembled.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
severaladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading During the conversation several sea-maids came swimming into the room bearing trays of sea apples and other fruit, which they first offered to the queen, and then passed the refreshments around to the company assembled.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So the girl and the sailor allowed themselves to float downward until they rested their bodies on two of the couches nearest the throne, which were willingly vacated for them by the mermaids who occupied them until then.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Trot and Cap'n Bill each took some, and the little girl found the fruits delicious to eat, as they had a richer flavor than any that grew upon land.
soonadverbUS /suːn/
in the near future
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
swimverbUS /swɪm/
travel through water
From this reading EXPLORING THE OCEAN The queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease.
swimmingnounUS /ˈswɪmɪŋ/
the act of swimming
From this reading During the conversation several sea-maids came swimming into the room bearing trays of sea apples and other fruit, which they first offered to the queen, and then passed the refreshments around to the company assembled.
talkverbUS /tɔːk/
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading EXPLORING THE OCEAN The queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Trot and Cap'n Bill each took some, and the little girl found the fruits delicious to eat, as they had a richer flavor than any that grew upon land.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading EXPLORING THE OCEAN The queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading EXPLORING THE OCEAN The queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading EXPLORING THE OCEAN The queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading So the girl and the sailor allowed themselves to float downward until they rested their bodies on two of the couches nearest the throne, which were willingly vacated for them by the mermaids who occupied them until then.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading EXPLORING THE OCEAN The queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading So the girl and the sailor allowed themselves to float downward until they rested their bodies on two of the couches nearest the throne, which were willingly vacated for them by the mermaids who occupied them until then.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading EXPLORING THE OCEAN The queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease.
thronenounUS /θroʊn/
the chair of state for a monarch, bishop, etc.
From this reading So the girl and the sailor allowed themselves to float downward until they rested their bodies on two of the couches nearest the throne, which were willingly vacated for them by the mermaids who occupied them until then.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading EXPLORING THE OCEAN The queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease.
tookverbUS /tʊk/
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Trot and Cap'n Bill each took some, and the little girl found the fruits delicious to eat, as they had a richer flavor than any that grew upon land.
tracknounUS /træk/
a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
traysnounUS /treɪz/
plural of “tray” — an open receptacle for holding or displaying or serving articles or food
From this reading During the conversation several sea-maids came swimming into the room bearing trays of sea apples and other fruit, which they first offered to the queen, and then passed the refreshments around to the company assembled.
TrotverbUS /trɑːt/
run at a moderately swift pace
From this reading Trot and Cap'n Bill each took some, and the little girl found the fruits delicious to eat, as they had a richer flavor than any that grew upon land.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading So the girl and the sailor allowed themselves to float downward until they rested their bodies on two of the couches nearest the throne, which were willingly vacated for them by the mermaids who occupied them until then.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading So the girl and the sailor allowed themselves to float downward until they rested their bodies on two of the couches nearest the throne, which were willingly vacated for them by the mermaids who occupied them until then.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading EXPLORING THE OCEAN The queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease.
vacatedverbUS /veɪˈkeɪtɪd/
past form of “vacate” — leave (a job, post, or position) voluntarily
From this reading So the girl and the sailor allowed themselves to float downward until they rested their bodies on two of the couches nearest the throne, which were willingly vacated for them by the mermaids who occupied them until then.
visitorsnounUS /ˈvɪzɪtərz/
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading So the girl and the sailor allowed themselves to float downward until they rested their bodies on two of the couches nearest the throne, which were willingly vacated for them by the mermaids who occupied them until then.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth, for although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land, there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading So the girl and the sailor allowed themselves to float downward until they rested their bodies on two of the couches nearest the throne, which were willingly vacated for them by the mermaids who occupied them until then.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading So the girl and the sailor allowed themselves to float downward until they rested their bodies on two of the couches nearest the throne, which were willingly vacated for them by the mermaids who occupied them until then.
willinglyadverbUS /ˈwɪlɪŋli/
in a willing manner
From this reading So the girl and the sailor allowed themselves to float downward until they rested their bodies on two of the couches nearest the throne, which were willingly vacated for them by the mermaids who occupied them until then.
