Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 49

Two days later the animals were called together for a special meeting in the barn.

• Two days later: A phrase indicating a time lapse of two days from a previous event [tu deɪz ˈleɪtər]
• the animals: Referring to the group of animals on the farm [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• were called together: Were summoned or gathered as a group [wər kɔld təˈgɛðər]
• for a special meeting: An assembly arranged for a particular purpose or discussion [fər ə ˈspɛʃəl ˈmitɪŋ]
• in the barn: The location of the meeting, a farm building used for storage or housing animals [ɪn ðə bɑrn]

They were struck dumb with surprise when Napoleon announced that he had sold the pile of timber to Frederick.

• They were struck dumb: They were so surprised that they were unable to speak [ðeɪ wər strək dəm]
• with surprise: The emotion they felt due to an unexpected event [wɪθ səˈpraɪz]
• when Napoleon announced: When Napoleon, the leader, made a formal declaration [wɪn nəˈpoʊljən əˈnaʊnst]
• that he had sold: That he had completed a transaction to give ownership of something in exchange for money [ðət hi hæd soʊld]
• the pile of timber: A stack or heap of wood prepared for use [ðə paɪl əv ˈtɪmbər]
• to Frederick: The recipient of the timber, a character in the story [tɪ ˈfrɛdərɪk]

Tomorrow Frederick's wagons would arrive and begin carting it away.

• Tomorrow: The day after the present day [təˈmɑˌroʊ]
• Frederick's wagons: Frederick's carts or vehicles for transportation [ˈfrɛdərɪks ˈwægənz]
• would arrive: Will get to the destination [wʊd əraɪv]
• and begin carting it away: And start transporting the timber elsewhere [ənd bɪˈgɪn ˈkɑrtɪŋ ɪt əˈweɪ]

Throughout the whole period of his seeming friendship with Pilkington, Napoleon had really been in secret agreement with Frederick.

• Throughout the whole period: During the entire duration [θruaʊt ðə hoʊl ˈpɪriəd]
• of his seeming friendship: Of his apparent or outward display of amity [əv hɪz ˈsimɪŋ ˈfrɛndʃɪp]
• with Pilkington: The individual with whom Napoleon appeared to be friendly [wɪθ ˈpɪlkɪŋtən]
• Napoleon had really been: Napoleon had actually been [nəˈpoʊljən hæd ˈrɪli bɪn]
• in secret agreement: In a clandestine understanding or pact [ɪn ˈsikrɪt əˈgrimənt]
• with Frederick: With Frederick, indicating a hidden alliance [wɪθ ˈfrɛdərɪk]

All relations with Foxwood had been broken off; insulting messages had been sent to Pilkington.

• All relations: Every connection or interaction [ɔl riˈleɪʃənz]
• with Foxwood: Referring to a specific place, likely a farm or estate [wɪθ ˈfɑksˌwʊd]
• had been broken off: Had been terminated or ceased [hæd bɪn ˈbroʊkən ɔf]
• insulting messages: Offensive or disrespectful communications [ˌɪnˈsəltɪŋ ˈmɛsɪʤɪz]
• had been sent: Were transmitted or delivered [hæd bɪn sɛnt]
• to Pilkington: To Pilkington, the recipient of the messages [tɪ ˈpɪlkɪŋtən]

The pigeons had been told to avoid Pinchfleld Farm and to alter their slogan from ‘Death to Frederick’ to ‘Death to Pilkington’. At the same time Napoleon assured the animals that the stories of an impending attack on Animal Farm were completely untrue, and that the tales about Frederick's cruelty to his own animals had been greatly exaggerated.

• The pigeons: Referring to a group of birds, likely used for communication [ðə ˈpɪʤənz]
• had been told: Were instructed or ordered [hæd bɪn toʊld]
• to avoid: To stay away from [tɪ əˈvɔɪd]
• Pinchfleld Farm: A specific location, likely a farm [pinchfleld fɑrm]
• and to alter: And to change or modify [ənd tɪ ˈɔltər]
• their slogan: Their motto or catchphrase [ðɛr sˈloʊgən]
• At the same time: Simultaneously or concurrently [æt ðə seɪm taɪm]
• Napoleon assured: Napoleon guaranteed or promised [nəˈpoʊljən əˈʃʊrd]
• the animals: The group of animals on the farm [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• that the stories: That the narratives or accounts [ðət ðə ˈstɔriz]
• of an impending attack: Of an imminent or forthcoming assault [əv ən ˌɪmˈpɛndɪŋ əˈtæk]
• on Animal Farm: The farm where the animals live [ɔn ˈænəməl fɑrm]
• were completely untrue: Were entirely false or without basis [wər kəmˈplitli ənˈtru]
• and that the tales: And that the stories or rumors [ənd ðət ðə teɪlz]
• about Frederick's cruelty: Regarding Frederick's harsh or inhumane behavior [əˈbaʊt ˈfrɛdərɪks ˈkruəlti]
• to his own animals: Towards the animals he owns or controls [tɪ hɪz oʊn ˈænəməlz]
• had been greatly exaggerated: Had been significantly overstated or amplified [hæd bɪn ˈgreɪtli ɪgˈzæʤərˌeɪtɪd]

All these rumours had probably originated with Snowball and his agents.

• All these rumours: All of these unverified stories or reports [ɔl ðiz ˈrumərz]
• had probably originated: Had likely started or come from [hæd ˈprɑbəˌbli ərˈɪʤəˌneɪtəd]
• with Snowball: With Snowball, a character in the story [wɪθ sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• and his agents: And his representatives or intermediaries [ənd hɪz ˈeɪʤənts]

It now appeared that Snowball was not, after all, hiding on Pinchfield Farm, and in fact had never been there in his life: he was living-in considerable luxury, so it was said-at Foxwood, and had in reality been a pensioner of Pilkington for years past.

• It now appeared: It was now evident or seemed [ɪt naʊ əˈpɪrd]
• that Snowball: That Snowball, a character in the story [ðət sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• was not, after all: Was not, contrary to previous belief [wɑz nɑt ˈæftər ɔl]
• hiding: Concealing himself [ˈhaɪdɪŋ]
• on Pinchfield Farm: At Pinchfield Farm, a specific location [ɔn pinchfield fɑrm]
• and in fact: Actually or indeed [ənd ɪn fækt]
• had never been there: Had never been present at that location [hæd ˈnɛvər bɪn ðɛr]
• in his life: Ever [ɪn hɪz laɪf]
• he was living: He was residing [hi wɑz ˈlɪvɪŋ]
• in considerable luxury: In a state of great comfort and opulence [-ɪn kənˈsɪdərəbəl ˈləgʒəri]
• so it was said: According to rumors or reports [ soʊ ɪt wɑz sɛd]
• at Foxwood: At Foxwood, a specific location [-æt ˈfɑksˌwʊd]
• and had in reality: And actually [ ənd hæd ɪn ˌriˈæləˌti]
• been a pensioner: Been someone receiving regular payments [bɪn ə ˈpɛnʃənər]
• of Pilkington: From Pilkington [əv ˈpɪlkɪŋtən]
• for years past: For many years [fər jɪrz pæst]

The pigs were in ecstasies over Napoleon's cunning.

• The: definite article, referring to specific pigs [ðə]
• pigs: domesticated animals, here likely referring to characters in a story [pɪgz]
• were: past tense of 'to be', indicating a state of being [wər]
• in ecstasies: in a state of overwhelming joy or delight [ɪn ecstasies]
• over: expressing 'about' or 'concerning' [ˈoʊvər]
• Napoleon's: possessive form of 'Napoleon', indicating something belonging to him [nəˈpoʊliənz]
• cunning: skill in deception; slyness [ˈkənɪŋ]

By seeming to be friendly with Pilkington he had forced Frederick to raise his price by twelve pounds.

• By: preposition indicating means or method [baɪ]
• seeming: appearing or giving the impression of [ˈsimɪŋ]
• to be: linking verb, connecting 'seeming' to 'friendly' [tɪ bi]
• friendly: amiable; showing goodwill [ˈfrɛndli]
• with: indicating association or companionship [wɪθ]
• Pilkington: a proper noun, likely a character's name [ˈpɪlkɪŋtən]
• he: pronoun referring to Napoleon [hi]
• had forced: past perfect tense of 'to force', indicating a completed action in the past [hæd fɔrst]
• Frederick: a proper noun, likely a character's name [ˈfrɛdərɪk]
• to raise: to increase or elevate [tɪ reɪz]
• his: possessive pronoun, referring to Frederick [hɪz]
• price: the amount of money requested or paid for something [praɪs]
• by: indicating an amount of increase [baɪ]
• twelve: the number 12 [twɛlv]
• pounds: unit of currency [paʊnz]

But the superior quality of Napoleon's mind, said Squealer, was shown in the fact that he trusted nobody, not even Frederick.

• But: conjunction indicating contrast [bət]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific quality [ðə]
• superior: higher in rank, status, or quality [suˈpɪriər]
• quality: a distinctive attribute or characteristic [kˈwɑləti]
• of: indicating origin, possession, or association [əv]
• Napoleon's: possessive form of 'Napoleon', indicating something belonging to him [nəˈpoʊliənz]
• mind: the faculty of consciousness and thought [maɪnd]
• said: past tense of 'to say', indicating a statement [sɛd]
• Squealer: a proper noun, likely a character's name [squealer]
• was shown: past passive tense of 'to show', indicating something being revealed [wɑz ʃoʊn]
• in: expressing location or state within limits of space or time [ɪn]
• the fact: the truth or reality of a situation [ðə fækt]
• that: introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
• he: pronoun referring to Napoleon [hi]
• trusted: past tense of 'to trust', indicating reliance or confidence [ˈtrəstɪd]
• nobody: no person; not anyone [ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi]
• not: used to express negation [nɑt]
• even: used to emphasize something surprising or extreme [ˈivɪn]
• Frederick: a proper noun, likely a character's name [ˈfrɛdərɪk]

Frederick had wanted to pay for the timber with something called a cheque, which it seemed was a piece of paper with a promise to pay written upon it.

• Frederick: a proper noun, likely a character's name [ˈfrɛdərɪk]
• had wanted: past perfect tense of 'to want', indicating a desire in the past [hæd ˈwɔntɪd]
• to pay: to give money for goods or services [tɪ peɪ]
• for: indicating the reason or purpose of something [fər]
• the timber: wood prepared for use in building or carpentry [ðə ˈtɪmbər]
• with: indicating the instrument or means used [wɪθ]
• something: an unspecified or unknown thing [ˈsəmθɪŋ]
• called: named or known as [kɔld]
• a cheque: a written order directing a bank to pay a sum of money [ə ʧɛk]
• which: relative pronoun, referring to 'a cheque' [wɪʧ]
• it seemed: it appeared or gave the impression [ɪt simd]
• was: past tense of 'to be', indicating a state of being [wɑz]
• a piece: a portion or part of something [ə pis]
• of: indicating composition or content [əv]
• paper: a thin, flexible material made of pulp [ˈpeɪpər]
• with: indicating the presence of something [wɪθ]
• a promise: a declaration assuring that one will do something [ə ˈprɑməs]
• to pay: to give money for goods or services [tɪ peɪ]
• written: past participle of 'to write', indicating something recorded in writing [ˈrɪtən]
• upon: on; on top of [əˈpɑn]
• it: pronoun referring to 'a piece of paper' [ɪt]

But Napoleon was too clever for him.

• But: conjunction indicating contrast [bət]
• Napoleon: a proper noun, likely a character's name [nəˈpoʊljən]
• was: past tense of 'to be', indicating a state of being [wɑz]
• too clever: excessively intelligent or cunning [tu ˈklɛvər]
• for: indicating suitability or purpose [fər]
• him: pronoun referring to Frederick [ɪm]

He had demanded payment in real five-pound notes, which were to be handed over before the timber was removed.

• He: pronoun referring to Napoleon [hi]
• had demanded: past perfect tense of 'to demand', indicating a forceful request in the past [hæd dɪˈmændɪd]
• payment: the act of paying money [ˈpeɪmənt]
• in: indicating the form or manner of something [ɪn]
• real: genuine; authentic [ril]
• five-pound: referring to the value of five pounds [five-pound]
• notes: paper money [noʊts]
• which: relative pronoun, referring to 'five-pound notes' [wɪʧ]
• were: past tense of 'to be', indicating a state of being [wər]
• to be: expressing intention or arrangement [tɪ bi]
• handed over: given or transferred physically [ˈhændɪd ˈoʊvər]
• before: preposition indicating time [ˌbiˈfɔr]
• the timber: wood prepared for use in building or carpentry [ðə ˈtɪmbər]
• was removed: past passive tense of 'to remove', indicating something being taken away [wɑz riˈmuvd]

Already Frederick had paid up; and the sum he had paid was just enough to buy the machinery for the windmill.

• Already: before this time; previously [ɔˈrɛdi]
• Frederick: a proper noun, likely a character's name [ˈfrɛdərɪk]
• had paid up: past perfect tense of 'to pay up', meaning to pay the full amount owed [hæd peɪd əp]
• and: conjunction indicating addition [ənd]
• the sum: the total amount of money [ðə səm]
• he: pronoun referring to Frederick [hi]
• had paid: past perfect tense of 'to pay', indicating a completed action in the past [hæd peɪd]
• was: past tense of 'to be', indicating a state of being [wɑz]
• just enough: sufficient; adequate [ʤɪst ɪˈnəf]
• to buy: to purchase something [tɪ baɪ]
• the machinery: machines collectively [ðə məˈʃinəri]
• for: indicating purpose or use [fər]
• the windmill: a mill powered by the wind [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]

Meanwhile the timber was being carted away at high speed.

• Meanwhile: in the intervening period of time; at the same time [ˈminˌwaɪl]
• the timber: wood prepared for use in building and carpentry [ðə ˈtɪmbər]
• was being carted away: was in the process of being transported by cart or vehicle [wɑz biɪŋ ˈkɑrtɪd əˈweɪ]
• at high speed: very quickly; rapidly [æt haɪ spid]

When it was all gone another special meeting was held in the barn for the animals to inspect Frederick's bank-notes.

• When: at the time or occasion that [wɪn]
• it: referring to the timber [ɪt]
• was all gone: had completely disappeared or been removed [wɑz ɔl gɔn]
• another: one more; an additional [əˈnəðər]
• special meeting: a meeting arranged for a particular purpose or occasion [ˈspɛʃəl ˈmitɪŋ]
• was held: took place; occurred [wɑz hɛld]
• in the barn: inside the farm building used for storing grain, hay, or livestock [ɪn ðə bɑrn]
• for the animals: intended for the animals [fər ðə ˈænəməlz]
• to inspect: to look at something carefully in order to discover information about it [tɪ ˌɪnˈspɛkt]
• Frederick's: belonging to Frederick [ˈfrɛdərɪks]
• bank-notes: paper money issued by a bank [bank-notes]

Smiling beatifically, and wearing both his decorations, Napoleon reposed on a bed of straw on the platform, with the money at his side, neatly piled on a china dish from the farmhouse kitchen.

• Smiling beatifically: smiling in a blissful or saintly manner [sˈmaɪlɪŋ beatifically]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• wearing: having something on one's body as clothing or decoration [ˈwɛrɪŋ]
• both: referring to two things or people regarded together [boʊθ]
• his decorations: medals or other objects awarded as an honor [hɪz ˌdɛkərˈeɪʃənz]
• Napoleon: referring to the character Napoleon [nəˈpoʊljən]
• reposed: rested or lay down [reposed]
• on a bed of straw: on a surface made of dried stalks of grain [ɔn ə bɛd əv strɔ]
• on the platform: on a raised level surface [ɔn ðə ˈplætˌfɔrm]
• with: accompanied by [wɪθ]
• the money: the bank-notes [ðə ˈməni]
• at his side: next to him [æt hɪz saɪd]
• neatly piled: arranged in a tidy stack [ˈnitli paɪld]
• on a china dish: on a dish made of porcelain [ɔn ə ˈʧaɪnə dɪʃ]
• from the farmhouse kitchen: originating from the kitchen of the farmhouse [frəm ðə ˈfɑrmˌhaʊs ˈkɪʧən]

The animals filed slowly past, and each gazed his fill.

• The animals: referring to the animals [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• filed slowly past: moved in a line past something at a slow pace [faɪld sˈloʊli pæst]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• each: every one of a group of people or things, regarded individually [iʧ]
• gazed his fill: looked at something until completely satisfied [geɪzd hɪz fɪl]

And Boxer put out his nose to sniff at the bank-notes, and the flimsy white things stirred and rustled in his breath.

• And: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• Boxer: referring to the character Boxer [ˈbɑksər]
• put out: extended [pʊt aʊt]
• his nose: the part of the face above the mouth containing the nostrils [hɪz noʊz]
• to sniff at: to inhale through the nose in order to detect a smell [tɪ snɪf æt]
• the bank-notes: paper money issued by a bank [ðə bank-notes]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• the flimsy white things: the thin, fragile, and white objects, referring to the bank-notes [ðə ˈflɪmzi waɪt θɪŋz]
• stirred: moved slightly [stərd]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• rustled: made a soft, muffled crackling sound [rustled]
• in his breath: in the air exhaled from his mouth [ɪn hɪz brɛθ]