Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 51

Meanwhile Frederick and his men had halted about the windmill.

• Meanwhile: in the intervening period of time; at the same time [ˈminˌwaɪl]
• Frederick: a proper noun, likely the name of a character [ˈfrɛdərɪk]
• and: a conjunction used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• his: belonging to Frederick [hɪz]
• men: plural of man; adult male humans [mɛn]
• had halted: had stopped; had come to a standstill [hæd ˈhɔltɪd]
• about: near; in the vicinity of [əˈbaʊt]
• the windmill: a structure that uses wind power to grind grain or perform other work [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]

The animals watched them, and a murmur of dismay went round.

• The animals: referring to the animals on the farm [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• watched: observed; looked at [wɔʧt]
• them: referring to Frederick and his men [ðɛm]
• and: a conjunction used to connect clauses [ənd]
• a murmur: a low, continuous sound [ə ˈmərmər]
• of dismay: of alarm, concern, or distress [əv dɪsˈmeɪ]
• went round: spread through the group [wɛnt raʊnd]

Two of the men had produced a crowbar and a sledge hammer.

• Two: the number 2 [tu]
• of: preposition indicating belonging or origin [əv]
• the men: referring to Frederick's men [ðə mɛn]
• had produced: had brought out; had presented [hæd prəˈdust]
• a crowbar: a metal bar with a flattened end, used for prying things open [ə ˈkroʊˌbɑr]
• and: a conjunction used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• a sledge hammer: a large, heavy hammer used for heavy work [ə slɛʤ ˈhæmər]

They were going to knock the windmill down.

• They: referring to the two men [ðeɪ]
• were going to knock: were intending to strike forcefully to cause to fall [wər goʊɪŋ tɪ nɑk]
• the windmill: the structure they intend to destroy [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]
• down: to the ground; into a fallen position [daʊn]

‘Impossible!’ cried Napoleon. ‘We have built the walls far too thick for that.

• Impossible: expressing disbelief or denial that something can happen [‘‘impossible]
• cried: exclaimed loudly [kraɪd]
• Napoleon: a proper noun, likely the name of a character [nəˈpoʊljən]
• We: referring to a group including the speaker [wi]
• have built: have constructed [hæv bɪlt]
• the walls: the sides of the structure [ðə wɔlz]
• far too thick: much too wide and solid [fɑr tu θɪk]
• for that: for that purpose; to withstand such force [fər ðət]

They could not knock it down in a week.

• They: referring to Frederick and his men [ðeɪ]
• could not knock: would not be able to strike forcefully to cause to fall [kʊd nɑt nɑk]
• it: referring to the windmill [ɪt]
• down: to the ground; into a fallen position [daʊn]
• in a week: within a period of seven days [ɪn ə wik]

But Benjamin was watching the movements of the men intently.

• But: a conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]
• Benjamin: a proper noun, likely the name of a character [ˈbɛnʤəmən]
• was watching: was observing; was looking at [wɑz ˈwɑʧɪŋ]
• the movements: the actions or motions [ðə ˈmuvmənts]
• of: preposition indicating belonging or origin [əv]
• the men: referring to Frederick's men [ðə mɛn]
• intently: with great concentration or focus [ˌɪnˈtɛntli]

The two with the hammer and the crowbar were drilling a hole near the base of the windmill.

• The two: referring to two of the men [ðə tu]
• with: accompanied by; holding [wɪθ]
• the hammer: a tool used for striking [ðə ˈhæmər]
• and: a conjunction used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• the crowbar: a metal bar used for prying things open [ðə ˈkroʊˌbɑr]
• were drilling: were making a hole [wər ˈdrɪlɪŋ]
• a hole: an opening [ə hoʊl]
• near: close to [nɪr]
• the base: the bottom or foundation [ðə beɪs]
• of: preposition indicating belonging or origin [əv]
• the windmill: the structure they intend to destroy [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]

Slowly, and with an air almost of amusement, Benjamin nodded his long muzzle.

• Slowly: at a slow pace [sˈloʊli]
• and: a conjunction used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• with: having; showing [wɪθ]
• an air: a manner or appearance [ən ɛr]
• almost: nearly; not quite [ˈɔlˌmoʊst]
• of amusement: of finding something funny or entertaining [əv əmˈjuzmənt]
• Benjamin: a proper noun, likely the name of a character [ˈbɛnʤəmən]
• nodded: lowered and raised his head slightly [ˈnɑdɪd]
• his: belonging to Benjamin [hɪz]
• long muzzle: the projecting part of an animal's face, including the nose and mouth [lɔŋ ˈməzəl]

‘I thought so,’ he said. ‘Do you not see what they are doing?

• I thought so: Indicates the speaker's confirmation of a previous thought or suspicion. [‘‘i θɔt so’*’]
• he: Refers to a male individual previously mentioned or understood in the context. [hi]
• said: The act of uttering words; here, indicating the speaker is conveying their thoughts. [sɛd]
• Do: Used to form a question or emphasize a statement. [‘‘do]
• you: Refers to the person being addressed. [ju]
• not: Negates the following verb, creating a negative question or statement. [nɑt]
• see: To perceive with the eyes; to understand or comprehend. [si]
• what: Used to inquire about the nature or identity of something. [wət]
• they: Refers to a group of people previously mentioned or understood. [ðeɪ]
• are doing: Present continuous tense of the verb 'to do', indicating an ongoing action or activity. [ər duɪŋ]

Terrified, the animals waited.

• Terrified: Feeling extreme fear or alarm. [ˈtɛrəˌfaɪd]
• the animals: Refers to the creatures in the story. [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• waited: Remained in place or delayed action, often with anticipation or expectation. [ˈweɪtɪd]

It was impossible now to venture out of the shelter of the buildings.

• It: Refers to the situation or action being described. [ɪt]
• was: Past tense of the verb 'to be'. [wɑz]
• impossible: Not able to occur or be done. [ˌɪmˈpɑsəbəl]
• now: At the present time or moment. [naʊ]
• to venture: To dare to go somewhere or do something risky. [tɪ ˈvɛnʧər]
• out of: Moving or extending away from the inside of something. [aʊt əv]
• the shelter: A place providing protection from danger or weather. [ðə ˈʃɛltər]
• of: Expressing the relationship between a part and a whole. [əv]
• the buildings: Refers to the structures providing shelter. [ðə ˈbɪldɪŋz]

After a few minutes the men were seen to be running in all directions.

• After: Following in time or sequence. [ˈæftər]
• a few minutes: A short period of time. [ə fju ˈmɪnəts]
• the men: Refers to the male individuals previously mentioned. [ðə mɛn]
• were seen: Observed or noticed by someone. [wər sin]
• to be running: Engaged in the act of moving rapidly on foot. [tɪ bi ˈrənɪŋ]
• in all directions: Moving towards various different places or points. [ɪn ɔl dɪˈrɛkʃɪnz]

Then there was a deafening roar.

• Then: Following in time or sequence; next. [ðɛn]
• there: Used to indicate the existence or presence of something. [ðɛr]
• was: Past tense of the verb 'to be'. [wɑz]
• a deafening roar: An extremely loud and overwhelming noise. [ə ˈdɛfənɪŋ rɔr]

The pigeons swirled into the air, and all the animals, except Napoleon, flung themselves flat on their bellies and hid their faces.

• The pigeons: Refers to the birds in the story. [ðə ˈpɪʤənz]
• swirled: Moved in a twisting or rotating pattern. [swərld]
• into: Expressing movement or direction toward the inside of something. [ˈɪntu]
• the air: The atmosphere surrounding the Earth. [ðə ɛr]
• and: Used to connect words or phrases. [ənd]
• all: The whole number or quantity of something. [ɔl]
• the animals: Refers to the creatures in the story. [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• except: Not including; excluding. [ɪkˈsɛpt]
• Napoleon: A proper noun, likely referring to a character in the story. [nəˈpoʊljən]
• flung: Past tense of 'fling', meaning to throw or cast forcefully. [fləŋ]
• themselves: Refers back to 'the animals', indicating they are acting upon themselves. [ðɛmˈsɛlvz]
• flat: Lying horizontally or level with the ground. [flæt]
• on: Expressing location or position on a surface. [ɔn]
• their bellies: The underside of an animal's body. [ðɛr ˈbɛliz]
• and: Used to connect words or phrases. [ənd]
• hid: Past tense of 'hide', meaning to conceal or keep out of sight. [hɪd]
• their faces: The front part of the head. [ðɛr ˈfeɪsɪz]

When they got up again a huge cloud of black smoke was hanging where the windmill had been.

• When: At the time or occasion that. [wɪn]
• they: Refers to the animals. [ðeɪ]
• got up: Rose from a lying or sitting position. [gɑt əp]
• again: Once more; another time. [əˈgɛn]
• a huge cloud: A very large mass of something suspended in the air. [ə juʤ klaʊd]
• of: Expressing the relationship between a part and a whole. [əv]
• black smoke: Dark-colored smoke, often associated with burning. [blæk smoʊk]
• was hanging: Suspended in the air. [wɑz ˈhæŋɪŋ]
• where: At or in the place that. [wɛr]
• the windmill: A structure that uses wind power to generate energy. [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]
• had been: Past perfect tense of 'to be', indicating a state that existed in the past. [hæd bɪn]

Slowly the breeze drifted it away.

• Slowly: In a slow manner; gradually. [sˈloʊli]
• the breeze: A gentle wind. [ðə briz]
• drifted: Moved gently by the wind or current. [ˈdrɪftɪd]
• it: Refers to the cloud of black smoke. [ɪt]
• away: To or at a distance from a particular place or person. [əˈweɪ]

The windmill had ceased to exist!

• The windmill: A structure that uses wind power to generate energy. [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]
• had ceased: Past perfect tense of 'cease', meaning to come to an end or stop. [hæd sist]
• to exist: To have objective reality or being. [tɪ ɪgˈzɪst]

At this sight the animals’ courage returned to them.

• At this sight: Upon seeing this; referring to something previously mentioned or observed [æt ðɪs saɪt]
• the animals’ courage: the bravery or boldness of the animals [ðə ˈænəməlz kərɪʤ]
• returned to them: was restored or regained by the animals [rɪˈtərnd tɪ ðɛm]

The fear and despair they had felt a moment earlier were drowned in their rage against this vile, contemptible act.

• The fear and despair: The feelings of being afraid and hopeless [ðə fɪr ənd dɪˈspɛr]
• they had felt: that the animals had experienced [ðeɪ hæd fɛlt]
• a moment earlier: just a short time before [ə ˈmoʊmənt ˈərliər]
• were drowned: were overwhelmed or suppressed [wər draʊnd]
• in their rage: by their intense anger [ɪn ðɛr reɪʤ]
• against this vile, contemptible act: directed towards this disgusting and despicable action [əˈgɛnst ðɪs vaɪl kənˈtɛmptəbəl ækt]

A mighty cry for vengeance went up, and without waiting for further orders they charged forth in a body and made straight for the enemy.

• A mighty cry for vengeance: A loud and powerful demand for revenge [ə ˈmaɪti kraɪ fər ˈvɛnʤəns]
• went up: was raised or expressed [wɛnt əp]
• and without waiting for further orders: and without pausing to receive additional instructions [ənd wɪˈθaʊt ˈweɪtɪŋ fər ˈfərðər ˈɔrdərz]
• they charged forth: they rushed forward aggressively [ðeɪ ʧɑrʤd fɔrθ]
• in a body: as a group [ɪn ə ˈbɑdi]
• and made straight for the enemy: and headed directly towards their opponents [ənd meɪd streɪt fər ðə ˈɛnəmi]

This time they did not heed the cruel pellets that swept over them like hail.

• This time: On this occasion [ðɪs taɪm]
• they did not heed: they ignored or paid no attention to [ðeɪ dɪd nɑt hid]
• the cruel pellets: the painful small projectiles (likely shot or bullets [ðə kruəl ˈpɛləts]
• that swept over them: that passed rapidly over them [ðət swɛpt ˈoʊvər ðɛm]
• like hail: similar to a heavy shower of ice pellets [laɪk heɪl]

It was a savage, bitter battle.

• It was a savage, bitter battle: The fight was brutal and filled with resentment [ɪt wɑz ə ˈsævɪʤ ˈbɪtər ˈbætəl]

The men fired again and again, and, when the animals got to close quarters, lashed out with their sticks and their heavy boots.

• The men fired again and again: The men repeatedly shot their weapons [ðə mɛn faɪərd əˈgɛn ənd əˈgɛn]
• and, when the animals got to close quarters: and when the animals came into close physical proximity [ənd wɪn ðə ˈænəməlz gɑt tɪ kloʊz kˈwɔrtərz]
• lashed out: struck out violently [læʃt aʊt]
• with their sticks and their heavy boots: using their wooden clubs and sturdy footwear as weapons [wɪθ ðɛr stɪks ənd ðɛr ˈhɛvi buts]

A cow, three sheep and two geese were killed, and nearly everyone was wounded.

• A cow, three sheep and two geese: Listing of animals [ə kaʊ θri ʃip ənd tu gis]
• were killed: died as a result of the battle [wər kɪld]
• and nearly everyone was wounded: and almost all of the animals sustained injuries [ənd ˈnɪrli ˈɛvriˌwən wɑz ˈwundɪd]

Even Napoleon, who was directing operations from the rear, had the dp of his tail chipped by a pellet. But the men did not go unscathed either.

• Even Napoleon: Referring to a specific character named Napoleon [ˈivɪn nəˈpoʊljən]
• who was directing operations from the rear: who was overseeing the battle from a safer position behind the front lines [hu wɑz dɪˈrɛktɪŋ ˌɑpərˈeɪʃənz frəm ðə rɪr]
• But the men did not go unscathed either: However, the men also suffered injuries [bət ðə mɛn dɪd nɑt goʊ ənˈskeɪðd ˈiðər]

Three of them had their heads broken by blows from Boxer's hoofs, another was gored in the belly by a cow's horn, another had his trousers nearly torn off by Jessie and Bluebell.

• Three of them: Three of the men [θri əv ðɛm]
• had their heads broken: sustained head injuries [hæd ðɛr hɛdz ˈbroʊkən]
• by blows from Boxer's hoofs: caused by kicks from Boxer, a character, using his hooves [baɪ bloʊz frəm ˈbɑksərz hʊfs]
• another was gored in the belly: another man had his abdomen pierced [əˈnəðər wɑz gɔrd ɪn ðə ˈbɛli]
• by a cow's horn: by the horn of a cow [baɪ ə kaʊz hɔrn]
• another had his trousers nearly torn off: another man had his pants almost completely ripped [əˈnəðər hæd hɪz ˈtraʊzərz ˈnɪrli tɔrn ɔf]
• by Jessie and Bluebell: by two characters named Jessie and Bluebell [baɪ ˈʤɛsi ənd ˈbluˌbɛl]

And when the nine dogs of Napoleon's own bodyguard, whom he had instructed to make a detour under cover of the hedge, suddenly appeared on the men's flank, baying ferociously, panic overtook them.

• And when the nine dogs: Referring to a group of nine dogs [ənd wɪn ðə naɪn dɔgz]
• of Napoleon's own bodyguard: who served as Napoleon's personal protectors [əv nəˈpoʊliənz oʊn ˈbɑdiˌgɑrd]
• whom he had instructed: who he had ordered [hum hi hæd ˌɪnˈstrəktɪd]
• to make a detour under cover of the hedge: to go around secretly, hidden by the bushes [tɪ meɪk ə ˈditʊr ˈəndər ˈkəvər əv ðə hɛʤ]
• suddenly appeared on the men's flank: unexpectedly showed up on the side of the men [ˈsədənli əˈpɪrd ɔn ðə mɛnz flæŋk]
• baying ferociously: barking and howling aggressively [beɪɪŋ fərˈoʊʃɪsli]
• panic overtook them: they were overcome with sudden fear [ˈpænɪk ˌoʊvərˈtʊk ðɛm]

They saw that they were in danger of being surrounded.

• They saw that they were in danger of being surrounded: They realized they were at risk of being encircled [ðeɪ sɔ ðət ðeɪ wər ɪn ˈdeɪnʤər əv biɪŋ sərˈaʊndɪd]

Frederick shouted to his men to get out while the going was good, and the next moment the cowardly enemy was running for dear life.

• Frederick shouted to his men: Frederick, a character, yelled to his soldiers [ˈfrɛdərɪk ˈʃaʊtɪd tɪ hɪz mɛn]
• to get out while the going was good: to escape while they still had the chance [tɪ gɪt aʊt waɪl ðə goʊɪŋ wɑz gʊd]
• and the next moment: immediately afterwards [ənd ðə nɛkst ˈmoʊmənt]
• the cowardly enemy: the fearful opponents [ðə ˈkaʊərdli ˈɛnəmi]
• was running for dear life: were fleeing to save their lives [wɑz ˈrənɪŋ fər dɪr laɪf]

The animals chased them right down to the bottom of the field, and got in some last kicks at them as they forced their way through the thorn hedge.

• The animals chased them: The animals pursued them [ðə ˈænəməlz ʧeɪst ðɛm]
• right down to the bottom of the field: all the way to the end of the field [raɪt daʊn tɪ ðə ˈbɑtəm əv ðə fild]
• and got in some last kicks at them: and managed to land some final blows on them [ənd gɑt ɪn səm læst kɪks æt ðɛm]
• as they forced their way through the thorn hedge: while they struggled to escape through the prickly bushes [ɛz ðeɪ fɔrst ðɛr weɪ θru ðə θɔrn hɛʤ]