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 FLAMINGOES THE QUEST FOR THEIR "INCUNABULA" The flamingo stands in a class apart.
abnormal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its nesting habits, and the method by which a bird of such abnormal build could incubate its eggs, formed for generations a "vexed question" in bird-life.
act
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From this reading Allied to no other bird-form--hardly so much as related--it may be regarded almost as a separate act of creation.
Allied
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From this reading Allied to no other bird-form--hardly so much as related--it may be regarded almost as a separate act of creation.
almost
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From this reading Allied to no other bird-form--hardly so much as related--it may be regarded almost as a separate act of creation.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The story of the efforts made by British naturalists to solve the problem ranks among the classics of ornithology.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Its nesting habits, and the method by which a bird of such abnormal build could incubate its eggs, formed for generations a "vexed question" in bird-life.
apart
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From this reading FLAMINGOES THE QUEST FOR THEIR "INCUNABULA" The flamingo stands in a class apart.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Allied to no other bird-form--hardly so much as related--it may be regarded almost as a separate act of creation.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Allied to no other bird-form--hardly so much as related--it may be regarded almost as a separate act of creation.
big
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From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
bird
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From this reading Its nesting habits, and the method by which a bird of such abnormal build could incubate its eggs, formed for generations a "vexed question" in bird-life.
bird-form
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From this reading Allied to no other bird-form--hardly so much as related--it may be regarded almost as a separate act of creation.
bird-life
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From this reading Its nesting habits, and the method by which a bird of such abnormal build could incubate its eggs, formed for generations a "vexed question" in bird-life.
British
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From this reading The story of the efforts made by British naturalists to solve the problem ranks among the classics of ornithology.
build
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From this reading Its nesting habits, and the method by which a bird of such abnormal build could incubate its eggs, formed for generations a "vexed question" in bird-life.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Its nesting habits, and the method by which a bird of such abnormal build could incubate its eggs, formed for generations a "vexed question" in bird-life.
class
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From this reading FLAMINGOES THE QUEST FOR THEIR "INCUNABULA" The flamingo stands in a class apart.
classics
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From this reading The story of the efforts made by British naturalists to solve the problem ranks among the classics of ornithology.
combined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Its nesting habits, and the method by which a bird of such abnormal build could incubate its eggs, formed for generations a "vexed question" in bird-life.
counties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
creation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Allied to no other bird-form--hardly so much as related--it may be regarded almost as a separate act of creation.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
eastern
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From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
efforts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The story of the efforts made by British naturalists to solve the problem ranks among the classics of ornithology.
eggs
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From this reading Its nesting habits, and the method by which a bird of such abnormal build could incubate its eggs, formed for generations a "vexed question" in bird-life.
European
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
exploration
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
extent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
flamingo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FLAMINGOES THE QUEST FOR THEIR "INCUNABULA" The flamingo stands in a class apart.
FLAMINGOES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FLAMINGOES THE QUEST FOR THEIR "INCUNABULA" The flamingo stands in a class apart.
FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading FLAMINGOES THE QUEST FOR THEIR "INCUNABULA" The flamingo stands in a class apart.
formed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its nesting habits, and the method by which a bird of such abnormal build could incubate its eggs, formed for generations a "vexed question" in bird-life.
frustrate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
generations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its nesting habits, and the method by which a bird of such abnormal build could incubate its eggs, formed for generations a "vexed question" in bird-life.
Guadalquivir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
habits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its nesting habits, and the method by which a bird of such abnormal build could incubate its eggs, formed for generations a "vexed question" in bird-life.
hardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Allied to no other bird-form--hardly so much as related--it may be regarded almost as a separate act of creation.
Howard
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From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading FLAMINGOES THE QUEST FOR THEIR "INCUNABULA" The flamingo stands in a class apart.
incubate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its nesting habits, and the method by which a bird of such abnormal build could incubate its eggs, formed for generations a "vexed question" in bird-life.
INCUNABULA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FLAMINGOES THE QUEST FOR THEIR "INCUNABULA" The flamingo stands in a class apart.
irregularity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Allied to no other bird-form--hardly so much as related--it may be regarded almost as a separate act of creation.
ItsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its nesting habits, and the method by which a bird of such abnormal build could incubate its eggs, formed for generations a "vexed question" in bird-life.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The story of the efforts made by British naturalists to solve the problem ranks among the classics of ornithology.
marismas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Allied to no other bird-form--hardly so much as related--it may be regarded almost as a separate act of creation.
method
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its nesting habits, and the method by which a bird of such abnormal build could incubate its eggs, formed for generations a "vexed question" in bird-life.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Allied to no other bird-form--hardly so much as related--it may be regarded almost as a separate act of creation.
naturalists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The story of the efforts made by British naturalists to solve the problem ranks among the classics of ornithology.
nest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
nesting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its nesting habits, and the method by which a bird of such abnormal build could incubate its eggs, formed for generations a "vexed question" in bird-life.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Allied to no other bird-form--hardly so much as related--it may be regarded almost as a separate act of creation.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Allied to no other bird-form--hardly so much as related--it may be regarded almost as a separate act of creation.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
ornithology
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The story of the efforts made by British naturalists to solve the problem ranks among the classics of ornithology.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Allied to no other bird-form--hardly so much as related--it may be regarded almost as a separate act of creation.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
problem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The story of the efforts made by British naturalists to solve the problem ranks among the classics of ornithology.
QUEST
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FLAMINGOES THE QUEST FOR THEIR "INCUNABULA" The flamingo stands in a class apart.
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Its nesting habits, and the method by which a bird of such abnormal build could incubate its eggs, formed for generations a "vexed question" in bird-life.
ranks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The story of the efforts made by British naturalists to solve the problem ranks among the classics of ornithology.
regarded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Allied to no other bird-form--hardly so much as related--it may be regarded almost as a separate act of creation.
related
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Allied to no other bird-form--hardly so much as related--it may be regarded almost as a separate act of creation.
remain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
Saunders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
seasons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
separate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Allied to no other bird-form--hardly so much as related--it may be regarded almost as a separate act of creation.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Allied to no other bird-form--hardly so much as related--it may be regarded almost as a separate act of creation.
solve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The story of the efforts made by British naturalists to solve the problem ranks among the classics of ornithology.
stands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FLAMINGOES THE QUEST FOR THEIR "INCUNABULA" The flamingo stands in a class apart.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The story of the efforts made by British naturalists to solve the problem ranks among the classics of ornithology.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Its nesting habits, and the method by which a bird of such abnormal build could incubate its eggs, formed for generations a "vexed question" in bird-life.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FLAMINGOES THE QUEST FOR THEIR "INCUNABULA" The flamingo stands in a class apart.
THEIRdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading FLAMINGOES THE QUEST FOR THEIR "INCUNABULA" The flamingo stands in a class apart.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Allied to no other bird-form--hardly so much as related--it may be regarded almost as a separate act of creation.
vast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
vexed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its nesting habits, and the method by which a bird of such abnormal build could incubate its eggs, formed for generations a "vexed question" in bird-life.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
wettest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Its nesting habits, and the method by which a bird of such abnormal build could incubate its eggs, formed for generations a "vexed question" in bird-life.
wrote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The marismas of Guadalquivir were early known to be one of the few European _incunabula_ of the flamingo; but their vast extent--"as big as our eastern counties," Howard Saunders wrote--and the irregularity of the seasons (since flamingoes only remain to nest in the wettest years) combined to frustrate exploration.
