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Wild Kindred
Wild Kindred

Chapter XIII

Chapter 13 of Wild Kindred is here in full — 107 sentences across 22 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Jean M. (Jean May) Thompson • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for Wild Kindred
Context Illustration Reading 1/21 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.
It is lonely and wild there.
This is what makes the place such a safe retreat for the birds.
Each spring they come back to this spot, the wood ducks, the bitterns, the teal, and the little blue heron family.
Their flashing, brilliant plumage lights up the sombre darkness of the jungles, while their strident cries make the spot less lonely.
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Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Wild Kindred

Chapter XIII

Chapter 13 of Wild Kindred is here in full — 107 sentences across 22 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/21 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.
Line 2
It is lonely and wild there.
/ɪt ɪz ˈloʊnli ənd waɪld ðer/
Line 3
This is what makes the place such a safe retreat for the birds.
/ðɪs ɪz wʌt meɪks ðə pleɪs sʌtʃ ə seɪf riˈtriːt fɔːr ðə bɜːrdz/
Line 4
Each spring they come back to this spot, the wood ducks, the bitterns, the teal, and the little blue heron family.
Line 5
Their flashing, brilliant plumage lights up the sombre darkness of the jungles, while their strident cries make the spot less lonely.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

cypress noun US /ˈsaɪprəs/

wood of any of various cypress trees especially of the genus Cupressus

From this reading “THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
heron noun US /ˈherən/

Greek mathematician and inventor who devised a way to determine the area of a triangle and who described various mechanical devices (first century)

From this reading “Each spring they come back to this spot, the wood ducks, the bitterns, the teal, and the little blue heron family.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
jungles noun US /ˈdʒʌŋɡəlz/

plural of “jungle” — a location marked by an intense competition and struggle for survival

From this reading “Their flashing, brilliant plumage lights up the sombre darkness of the jungles, while their strident cries make the spot less lonely.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
percolating verb US /ˈpɜːrkəleɪtɪŋ/

-ing form of “percolate” — permeate or penetrate gradually

From this reading “THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
plumage noun US /ˈpluːmədʒ/

the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds

From this reading “Their flashing, brilliant plumage lights up the sombre darkness of the jungles, while their strident cries make the spot less lonely.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sluggish adjective US /ˈslʌɡɪʃ/

moving slowly

From this reading “THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
strident adjective US /ˈstraɪdənt/

conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry

From this reading “Their flashing, brilliant plumage lights up the sombre darkness of the jungles, while their strident cries make the spot less lonely.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
teal noun US /tiːl/

a blue-green color or pigment

From this reading “Each spring they come back to this spot, the wood ducks, the bitterns, the teal, and the little blue heron family.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

safe retreat adjective + noun

In this reading “This is what makes the place such a safe retreat for the birds.”

373 times in 426,211 chapters
come back verb + particle

be restored

In this reading “Each spring they come back to this spot, the wood ducks, the bitterns, the teal, and the little blue heron family.”

121,424 times in 426,211 chapters
in the middle preposition + article + noun counted as “in … middle”

In this reading “THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.”

40,811 times in 426,211 chapters
less lonely adverb + adjective

In this reading “Their flashing, brilliant plumage lights up the sombre darkness of the jungles, while their strident cries make the spot less lonely.”

229 times in 426,211 chapters

All words in this reading · 73

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

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 THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Each spring they come back to this spot, the wood ducks, the bitterns, the teal, and the little blue heron family.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
birdsnounUS /bɜːrdz/

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading This is what makes the place such a safe retreat for the birds.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
bitterns

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

From this reading Each spring they come back to this spot, the wood ducks, the bitterns, the teal, and the little blue heron family.

Pending verification
blueadjectiveUS /bluː/

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading Each spring they come back to this spot, the wood ducks, the bitterns, the teal, and the little blue heron family.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
brilliantadjectiveUS /ˈbrɪljənt/

of surpassing excellence

From this reading Their flashing, brilliant plumage lights up the sombre darkness of the jungles, while their strident cries make the spot less lonely.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
comeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Each spring they come back to this spot, the wood ducks, the bitterns, the teal, and the little blue heron family.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
coursesnounUS /ˈkɔːrsəz/

plural of “course” — education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
criesnounUS /kraɪz/

plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition

From this reading Their flashing, brilliant plumage lights up the sombre darkness of the jungles, while their strident cries make the spot less lonely.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
cypressnounUS /ˈsaɪprəs/

wood of any of various cypress trees especially of the genus Cupressus

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
darknessnounUS /ˈdɑːrknəs/

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Their flashing, brilliant plumage lights up the sombre darkness of the jungles, while their strident cries make the spot less lonely.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
denseadjectiveUS /dens/

permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ducksnounUS /dʌks/

plural of “duck” — small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs

From this reading Each spring they come back to this spot, the wood ducks, the bitterns, the teal, and the little blue heron family.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
EachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

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

From this reading Each spring they come back to this spot, the wood ducks, the bitterns, the teal, and the little blue heron family.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
EGRETS

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

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

Pending verification
familynounUS /ˈfæməli/

a social unit living together

From this reading Each spring they come back to this spot, the wood ducks, the bitterns, the teal, and the little blue heron family.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fednounUS /fed/

any federal law-enforcement officer

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
flashingnounUS /ˈflæʃɪŋ/

a short vivid experience

From this reading Their flashing, brilliant plumage lights up the sombre darkness of the jungles, while their strident cries make the spot less lonely.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading This is what makes the place such a safe retreat for the birds.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
heartnounUS /hɑːrt/

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
heronnounUS /ˈherən/

Greek mathematician and inventor who devised a way to determine the area of a triangle and who described various mechanical devices (first century)

From this reading Each spring they come back to this spot, the wood ducks, the bitterns, the teal, and the little blue heron family.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is lonely and wild there.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
junglesnounUS /ˈdʒʌŋɡəlz/

plural of “jungle” — a location marked by an intense competition and struggle for survival

From this reading Their flashing, brilliant plumage lights up the sombre darkness of the jungles, while their strident cries make the spot less lonely.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
landsnounUS /lændz/

plural of “land” — the land on which real estate is located

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lessadverbUS /les/

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Their flashing, brilliant plumage lights up the sombre darkness of the jungles, while their strident cries make the spot less lonely.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
liesnounUS /laɪz/

plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lightsnounUS /laɪts/

plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

From this reading Their flashing, brilliant plumage lights up the sombre darkness of the jungles, while their strident cries make the spot less lonely.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Each spring they come back to this spot, the wood ducks, the bitterns, the teal, and the little blue heron family.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lonelyadjectiveUS /ˈloʊnli/

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading It is lonely and wild there.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading Their flashing, brilliant plumage lights up the sombre darkness of the jungles, while their strident cries make the spot less lonely.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
makesnounUS /meɪks/

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading This is what makes the place such a safe retreat for the birds.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
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 PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
middlenounUS /ˈmɪdəl/

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
percolatingverbUS /ˈpɜːrkəleɪtɪŋ/

-ing form of “percolate” — permeate or penetrate gradually

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
PERILnounUS /ˈperəl/

a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
placenounUS /pleɪs/

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading This is what makes the place such a safe retreat for the birds.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
plumagenounUS /ˈpluːmədʒ/

the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds

From this reading Their flashing, brilliant plumage lights up the sombre darkness of the jungles, while their strident cries make the spot less lonely.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
pondnounUS /pɑːnd/

a small lake

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
retreatnounUS /riˈtriːt/

(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat

From this reading This is what makes the place such a safe retreat for the birds.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
safeadjectiveUS /seɪf/

free from danger or the risk of harm

From this reading This is what makes the place such a safe retreat for the birds.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sluggishadjectiveUS /ˈslʌɡɪʃ/

moving slowly

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SNOWYadjectiveUS /ˈsnoʊi/

marked by the presence of snow

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sombreadjective

lacking brightness or color; dull

From this reading Their flashing, brilliant plumage lights up the sombre darkness of the jungles, while their strident cries make the spot less lonely.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SouthnounUS /saʊθ/

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
spotnounUS /spɑːt/

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Each spring they come back to this spot, the wood ducks, the bitterns, the teal, and the little blue heron family.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
springnounUS /sprɪŋ/

the season of growth

From this reading Each spring they come back to this spot, the wood ducks, the bitterns, the teal, and the little blue heron family.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
streamsnounUS /striːmz/

plural of “stream” — a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
stridentadjectiveUS /ˈstraɪdənt/

conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry

From this reading Their flashing, brilliant plumage lights up the sombre darkness of the jungles, while their strident cries make the spot less lonely.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading This is what makes the place such a safe retreat for the birds.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
swampverbUS /swɑːmp/

drench or submerge or be drenched or submerged

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
tealnounUS /tiːl/

a blue-green color or pigment

From this reading Each spring they come back to this spot, the wood ducks, the bitterns, the teal, and the little blue heron family.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading It is lonely and wild there.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Each spring they come back to this spot, the wood ducks, the bitterns, the teal, and the little blue heron family.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This is what makes the place such a safe retreat for the birds.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Each spring they come back to this spot, the wood ducks, the bitterns, the teal, and the little blue heron family.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Their flashing, brilliant plumage lights up the sombre darkness of the jungles, while their strident cries make the spot less lonely.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
vastadjectiveUS /væst/

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
waternounUS /ˈwɔːtər/

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading This is what makes the place such a safe retreat for the birds.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading Their flashing, brilliant plumage lights up the sombre darkness of the jungles, while their strident cries make the spot less lonely.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
wildadjectiveUS /waɪld/

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading It is lonely and wild there.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
windingadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪndɪŋ/

marked by repeated turns and bends

From this reading THE PERIL OF THE SNOWY EGRETS In the heart of a certain dense cypress swamp, in the middle South, lies a pond of water, which is fed by many streams winding and percolating their sluggish courses through the vast swamp lands.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
woodnounUS /wʊd/

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading Each spring they come back to this spot, the wood ducks, the bitterns, the teal, and the little blue heron family.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 13 of Wild Kindred by Jean M. (Jean May) Thompson holds 107 sentences, grouped into 22 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 13 of Wild Kindred contain?

Chapter 13 holds 107 sentences of Wild Kindred, unabridged, divided into 22 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 13 of Wild Kindred by Jean M. (Jean May) Thompson exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 107 sentences, grouped into 22 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 13 of Wild Kindred?

Work through the 22 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 22 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 13 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 13 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Wild Kindred

Common questions about reading Wild Kindred by Jean M. (Jean May) Thompson on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Wild Kindred?

Yes. All 1514 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #60659 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Wild Kindred is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #60659, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Wild Kindred take to read?

About 126 minutes of reading across 303 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Wild Kindred section by section

How to work through Wild Kindred section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 16 chapters of Wild Kindred to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Wild Kindred

Words and structures a reader meets early in Wild Kindred, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Sounded
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Wild Kindred; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Swish
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Wild Kindred; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Silken
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Wild Kindred; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Wings
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Wild Kindred; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.