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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The stiff-rayed windmill stood like a tall mechanical flower, turning slowly in the light afternoon wind; its faint regular metallic squeak pricked the dry silence wearingly.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The stiff-rayed windmill stood like a tall mechanical flower, turning slowly in the light afternoon wind; its faint regular metallic squeak pricked the dry silence wearingly.
All
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Thick straggling roses hung over the kitchen windows, and a row of dusty eucalyptus trees rustled their stiff leaves, and gave an ineffectual shade to the house.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
asks
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From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was one of those small frame houses common to the northeastern states, which must be dear to the hearts of their dwellers.
beasts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
bird
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
brooding
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From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
brown
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From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
common
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From this reading It was one of those small frame houses common to the northeastern states, which must be dear to the hearts of their dwellers.
crowding
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From this reading Rampant fuchsias, red-jewelled, heavy, ran up its framework, with crowding heliotrope and nasturtiums.
dear
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From this reading It was one of those small frame houses common to the northeastern states, which must be dear to the hearts of their dwellers.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
down
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From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
dry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stiff-rayed windmill stood like a tall mechanical flower, turning slowly in the light afternoon wind; its faint regular metallic squeak pricked the dry silence wearingly.
dusty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thick straggling roses hung over the kitchen windows, and a row of dusty eucalyptus trees rustled their stiff leaves, and gave an ineffectual shade to the house.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
dwellers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was one of those small frame houses common to the northeastern states, which must be dear to the hearts of their dwellers.
eucalyptus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thick straggling roses hung over the kitchen windows, and a row of dusty eucalyptus trees rustled their stiff leaves, and gave an ineffectual shade to the house.
faint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stiff-rayed windmill stood like a tall mechanical flower, turning slowly in the light afternoon wind; its faint regular metallic squeak pricked the dry silence wearingly.
flower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stiff-rayed windmill stood like a tall mechanical flower, turning slowly in the light afternoon wind; its faint regular metallic squeak pricked the dry silence wearingly.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
frame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was one of those small frame houses common to the northeastern states, which must be dear to the hearts of their dwellers.
framework
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rampant fuchsias, red-jewelled, heavy, ran up its framework, with crowding heliotrope and nasturtiums.
fuchsias
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rampant fuchsias, red-jewelled, heavy, ran up its framework, with crowding heliotrope and nasturtiums.
fulfills
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From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thick straggling roses hung over the kitchen windows, and a row of dusty eucalyptus trees rustled their stiff leaves, and gave an ineffectual shade to the house.
hearts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was one of those small frame houses common to the northeastern states, which must be dear to the hearts of their dwellers.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rampant fuchsias, red-jewelled, heavy, ran up its framework, with crowding heliotrope and nasturtiums.
heliotrope
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From this reading Rampant fuchsias, red-jewelled, heavy, ran up its framework, with crowding heliotrope and nasturtiums.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thick straggling roses hung over the kitchen windows, and a row of dusty eucalyptus trees rustled their stiff leaves, and gave an ineffectual shade to the house.
houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was one of those small frame houses common to the northeastern states, which must be dear to the hearts of their dwellers.
hung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thick straggling roses hung over the kitchen windows, and a row of dusty eucalyptus trees rustled their stiff leaves, and gave an ineffectual shade to the house.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The stiff-rayed windmill stood like a tall mechanical flower, turning slowly in the light afternoon wind; its faint regular metallic squeak pricked the dry silence wearingly.
ineffectual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thick straggling roses hung over the kitchen windows, and a row of dusty eucalyptus trees rustled their stiff leaves, and gave an ineffectual shade to the house.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was one of those small frame houses common to the northeastern states, which must be dear to the hearts of their dwellers.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The stiff-rayed windmill stood like a tall mechanical flower, turning slowly in the light afternoon wind; its faint regular metallic squeak pricked the dry silence wearingly.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
kitchen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thick straggling roses hung over the kitchen windows, and a row of dusty eucalyptus trees rustled their stiff leaves, and gave an ineffectual shade to the house.
lean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
leaves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thick straggling roses hung over the kitchen windows, and a row of dusty eucalyptus trees rustled their stiff leaves, and gave an ineffectual shade to the house.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stiff-rayed windmill stood like a tall mechanical flower, turning slowly in the light afternoon wind; its faint regular metallic squeak pricked the dry silence wearingly.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stiff-rayed windmill stood like a tall mechanical flower, turning slowly in the light afternoon wind; its faint regular metallic squeak pricked the dry silence wearingly.
mechanical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stiff-rayed windmill stood like a tall mechanical flower, turning slowly in the light afternoon wind; its faint regular metallic squeak pricked the dry silence wearingly.
metallic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stiff-rayed windmill stood like a tall mechanical flower, turning slowly in the light afternoon wind; its faint regular metallic squeak pricked the dry silence wearingly.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading It was one of those small frame houses common to the northeastern states, which must be dear to the hearts of their dwellers.
nasturtiums
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rampant fuchsias, red-jewelled, heavy, ran up its framework, with crowding heliotrope and nasturtiums.
northeastern
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From this reading It was one of those small frame houses common to the northeastern states, which must be dear to the hearts of their dwellers.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Thick straggling roses hung over the kitchen windows, and a row of dusty eucalyptus trees rustled their stiff leaves, and gave an ineffectual shade to the house.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was one of those small frame houses common to the northeastern states, which must be dear to the hearts of their dwellers.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
OrconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Thick straggling roses hung over the kitchen windows, and a row of dusty eucalyptus trees rustled their stiff leaves, and gave an ineffectual shade to the house.
parent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
pricked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stiff-rayed windmill stood like a tall mechanical flower, turning slowly in the light afternoon wind; its faint regular metallic squeak pricked the dry silence wearingly.
Rampant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rampant fuchsias, red-jewelled, heavy, ran up its framework, with crowding heliotrope and nasturtiums.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rampant fuchsias, red-jewelled, heavy, ran up its framework, with crowding heliotrope and nasturtiums.
red-jewelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rampant fuchsias, red-jewelled, heavy, ran up its framework, with crowding heliotrope and nasturtiums.
regular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stiff-rayed windmill stood like a tall mechanical flower, turning slowly in the light afternoon wind; its faint regular metallic squeak pricked the dry silence wearingly.
roses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thick straggling roses hung over the kitchen windows, and a row of dusty eucalyptus trees rustled their stiff leaves, and gave an ineffectual shade to the house.
row
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thick straggling roses hung over the kitchen windows, and a row of dusty eucalyptus trees rustled their stiff leaves, and gave an ineffectual shade to the house.
rustled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thick straggling roses hung over the kitchen windows, and a row of dusty eucalyptus trees rustled their stiff leaves, and gave an ineffectual shade to the house.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
shade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thick straggling roses hung over the kitchen windows, and a row of dusty eucalyptus trees rustled their stiff leaves, and gave an ineffectual shade to the house.
she-bear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading The stiff-rayed windmill stood like a tall mechanical flower, turning slowly in the light afternoon wind; its faint regular metallic squeak pricked the dry silence wearingly.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stiff-rayed windmill stood like a tall mechanical flower, turning slowly in the light afternoon wind; its faint regular metallic squeak pricked the dry silence wearingly.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was one of those small frame houses common to the northeastern states, which must be dear to the hearts of their dwellers.
squeak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stiff-rayed windmill stood like a tall mechanical flower, turning slowly in the light afternoon wind; its faint regular metallic squeak pricked the dry silence wearingly.
states
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was one of those small frame houses common to the northeastern states, which must be dear to the hearts of their dwellers.
stiff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thick straggling roses hung over the kitchen windows, and a row of dusty eucalyptus trees rustled their stiff leaves, and gave an ineffectual shade to the house.
stiff-rayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stiff-rayed windmill stood like a tall mechanical flower, turning slowly in the light afternoon wind; its faint regular metallic squeak pricked the dry silence wearingly.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The stiff-rayed windmill stood like a tall mechanical flower, turning slowly in the light afternoon wind; its faint regular metallic squeak pricked the dry silence wearingly.
straggling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thick straggling roses hung over the kitchen windows, and a row of dusty eucalyptus trees rustled their stiff leaves, and gave an ineffectual shade to the house.
tall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stiff-rayed windmill stood like a tall mechanical flower, turning slowly in the light afternoon wind; its faint regular metallic squeak pricked the dry silence wearingly.
task
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
Thick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thick straggling roses hung over the kitchen windows, and a row of dusty eucalyptus trees rustled their stiff leaves, and gave an ineffectual shade to the house.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It was one of those small frame houses common to the northeastern states, which must be dear to the hearts of their dwellers.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Thick straggling roses hung over the kitchen windows, and a row of dusty eucalyptus trees rustled their stiff leaves, and gave an ineffectual shade to the house.
trees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thick straggling roses hung over the kitchen windows, and a row of dusty eucalyptus trees rustled their stiff leaves, and gave an ineffectual shade to the house.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
turning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stiff-rayed windmill stood like a tall mechanical flower, turning slowly in the light afternoon wind; its faint regular metallic squeak pricked the dry silence wearingly.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rampant fuchsias, red-jewelled, heavy, ran up its framework, with crowding heliotrope and nasturtiums.
upside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was one of those small frame houses common to the northeastern states, which must be dear to the hearts of their dwellers.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The brooding bird fulfills her task, Or she-bear lean and brown; All parent beasts see duty true, All parent beasts their duty do, We are the only kind that asks For duty upside down.
wearingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stiff-rayed windmill stood like a tall mechanical flower, turning slowly in the light afternoon wind; its faint regular metallic squeak pricked the dry silence wearingly.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was one of those small frame houses common to the northeastern states, which must be dear to the hearts of their dwellers.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The stiff-rayed windmill stood like a tall mechanical flower, turning slowly in the light afternoon wind; its faint regular metallic squeak pricked the dry silence wearingly.
windmill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stiff-rayed windmill stood like a tall mechanical flower, turning slowly in the light afternoon wind; its faint regular metallic squeak pricked the dry silence wearingly.
windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thick straggling roses hung over the kitchen windows, and a row of dusty eucalyptus trees rustled their stiff leaves, and gave an ineffectual shade to the house.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Rampant fuchsias, red-jewelled, heavy, ran up its framework, with crowding heliotrope and nasturtiums.
