The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery- page 13

The shrub soon stopped growing, and began to get ready to produce a flower.

• The: definite article, referring to a specific shrub [ðə]
• shrub: a woody plant of relatively low height, distinguished from a tree by having several stems rather than a single trunk [ʃrəb]
• soon: in or after a short time [sun]
• stopped: ceased to continue; brought to an end [stɑpt]
• growing: increasing in size or developing [groʊɪŋ]
• and: connects two related actions [ənd]
• began: started; commenced [bɪˈgæn]
• to get ready: to prepare oneself; to make arrangements [tɪ gɪt ˈrɛdi]
• to produce: to bring into existence; to create [tɪ ˈproʊdus]
• a flower: the seed-bearing part of a plant, consisting of petals, stamens, and pistils [ə flaʊər]

The little prince, who was present at the first appearance of a huge bud, felt at once that some sort of miraculous apparition must emerge from it.

• The: definite article, referring to a specific little prince [ðə]
• little prince: a young male member of a royal family [ˈlɪtəl prɪns]
• who: relative pronoun, referring to the little prince [hu]
• was present: being in a particular place; attending [wɑz ˈprɛzənt]
• at the first appearance: the initial instance of something being seen or noticed [æt ðə fərst əˈpɪrəns]
• of a huge bud: a swelling on a plant stem from which a flower, leaf, or shoot develops, described as huge [əv ə juʤ bəd]
• felt: experienced an emotion or sensation [fɛlt]
• at once: immediately; without delay [æt wəns]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• some sort of: a particular type or kind of [səm sɔrt əv]
• miraculous: of the nature of a miracle; extraordinary [mərˈækjələs]
• apparition: a remarkable or unexpected appearance of someone or something [ˌæpərˈɪʃən]
• must emerge: to come out; to become known [məst ˈimərʤ]
• from it: from the bud [frəm ɪt]

But the flower was not satisfied to complete the preparations for her beauty in the shelter of her green chamber.

• But: introduces a contrast [bət]
• the flower: the seed-bearing part of a plant, consisting of petals, stamens, and pistils [ðə flaʊər]
• was not satisfied: did not feel content or pleased [wɑz nɑt ˈsætɪsˌfaɪd]
• to complete: to finish; to bring to an end [tɪ kəmˈplit]
• the preparations: the actions or processes of preparing for something [ðə ˌprɛpərˈeɪʃənz]
• for her beauty: to enhance her attractive qualities [fər hər ˈbjuti]
• in the shelter: a place giving protection from bad weather or danger [ɪn ðə ˈʃɛltər]
• of her green chamber: referring to the calyx or other protective green parts surrounding the flower [əv hər grin ˈʧeɪmbər]

She chose her colors with the greatest care.

• She: referring to the flower [ʃi]
• chose: selected; picked out [ʧoʊz]
• her colors: the hues or shades of the flower's petals [hər ˈkələrz]
• with the greatest care: with extreme attention and caution [wɪθ ðə ˈgreɪtəst kɛr]

She dressed herself slowly.

• She: referring to the flower [ʃi]
• dressed herself: put on clothing; adorned herself [drɛst hərˈsɛlf]
• slowly: at a slow pace; not quickly [sˈloʊli]

She adjusted her petals one by one.

• She: referring to the flower [ʃi]
• adjusted: altered or moved slightly to achieve the desired fit or appearance [əˈʤəstɪd]
• her petals: the colorful parts of a flower [hər ˈpɛtəlz]
• one by one: individually; separately [wən baɪ wən]

She did not wish to go out into the world all rumpled, like the field poppies.

• She: referring to the flower [ʃi]
• did not wish: did not want [dɪd nɑt wɪʃ]
• to go out: to leave a place; to venture forth [tɪ goʊ aʊt]
• into the world: into the earth or all the people and things on it [ˈɪntu ðə wərld]
• all rumpled: creased, crushed, or disarranged [ɔl ˈrəmpəld]
• like: similar to [laɪk]
• the field poppies: wild flowers that grow in fields [ðə fild ˈpɑpiz]

It was only in the full radiance of her beauty that she wished to appear.

• It: refers to the flower's desire [ɪt]
• was only: only; solely [wɑz ˈoʊnli]
• in the full radiance: the state of being bright and shining [ɪn ðə fʊl ˈreɪˌdiəns]
• of her beauty: the quality of being pleasing to the eye [əv hər ˈbjuti]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• she wished: she wanted [ʃi wɪʃt]
• to appear: to become visible; to come into sight [tɪ əˈpɪr]

Oh, yes!

• Oh, yes: an expression of affirmation or agreement [oʊ jɛs]

She was a coquettish creature!

• She: referring to the flower [ʃi]
• was: past tense of 'is', indicating a state of being [wɑz]
• a coquettish creature: a flirtatious or teasing being [ə coquettish ˈkriʧər]

And her mysterious adornment lasted for days and days.

• And: connects two related statements [ənd]
• her mysterious adornment: her enigmatic decoration or embellishment [hər mɪˈstɪriəs əˈdɔrnmənt]
• lasted: continued for a specified period of time [ˈlæstɪd]
• for days and days: for a long period of time [fər deɪz ənd deɪz]

Arrivee de la fleur.jpg

Then one morning, exactly at sunrise, she suddenly showed herself.

• Then: at that time; next [ðɛn]
• one morning: a particular morning, unspecified but implied to be significant [wən ˈmɔrnɪŋ]
• exactly: precisely; at the specific time [ɪgˈzæktli]
• at sunrise: the time when the sun appears above the horizon in the morning [æt ˈsənˌraɪz]
• she: referring to a female person or character previously mentioned [ʃi]
• suddenly: quickly and unexpectedly [ˈsədənli]
• showed herself: revealed or made herself visible [ʃoʊd hərˈsɛlf]

And, after working with all this painstaking precision, she yawned and said:

• And: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• after: following in time or order [ˈæftər]
• working: exerting effort; performing a task [ˈwərkɪŋ]
• with: accompanied by; using [wɪθ]
• all: the whole quantity or extent of [ɔl]
• this: referring to something previously mentioned or understood [ðɪs]
• painstaking: done with or employing great care and thoroughness [ˈpeɪnˌsteɪkɪŋ]
• precision: the quality of being exact and accurate [priˈsɪʒən]
• she: referring to a female person or character previously mentioned [ʃi]
• yawned: to open the mouth wide and take a deep breath, usually due to tiredness or boredom [jɔnd]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• said: uttered words; spoke [sɛd]

"Ah!

• Ah: an exclamation, often expressing surprise, pleasure, or understanding [ɑ]

I am scarcely awake.

• I am: first-person singular present tense of 'to be' [aɪ æm]
• scarcely: barely; hardly; almost not [ˈskɛrsli]
• awake: not asleep; conscious [əˈweɪk]

I beg that you will excuse me.

• I beg: a polite way of making a request [aɪ bɛg]
• that: introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
• you will: future tense of 'will', used to express a polite request or command [ju wɪl]
• excuse me: a polite expression used when apologizing for an interruption or offense [ɪkˈskjuz mi]

But the little prince could not restrain his admiration:

• But: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]
• the little prince: a young, male member of a royal family [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]
• could not: past tense of 'can not', indicating inability [kʊd nɑt]
• restrain: to prevent (someone or something) from doing something; to keep under control or within limits [riˈstreɪn]
• his: belonging to or associated with the little prince [hɪz]
• admiration: respect and warm approval [ˌædmərˈeɪʃən]

"Oh!

• Oh: an exclamation, often expressing surprise, pleasure, or understanding [oʊ]

"Am I not?" the flower responded, sweetly. "And I was born at the same moment as the sun..."

• Am I: first-person singular present tense of 'to be', used in questions [æm aɪ]
• not: used to negate a statement [nɑt]
• the flower: the part of a plant that produces seeds [ðə flaʊər]
• responded: said something in reply [rɪˈspɑndɪd]
• sweetly: in a pleasant or kind manner [sˈwitli]
• And: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• I was: first-person singular past tense of 'to be' [aɪ wɑz]
• born: brought into life [bɔrn]
• at the same moment: at the exact same time [æt ðə seɪm ˈmoʊmənt]
• as: used to indicate similarity [ɛz]
• the sun: the star that provides light and heat to Earth [ðə sən]

The little prince could guess easily enough that she was not any too modest — but how moving — and exciting — she was!

• The little prince: a young, male member of a royal family [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]
• could: past tense of 'can', indicating ability or possibility [kʊd]
• guess: estimate or suppose (something) without sufficient information to be sure of being correct [gɛs]
• easily: without difficulty [ˈizəli]
• enough: sufficiently [ɪˈnəf]
• that: introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
• she: referring to a female person or character previously mentioned [ʃi]
• was not: past tense of 'to be' with negation [wɑz nɑt]
• any: used to refer to one or some of a thing or number of things, no matter how much or how many [ˈɛni]
• too: excessively; more than enough [tu]
• modest: unassuming or moderate in the estimation of one's abilities or achievements [ˈmɑdəst]
• but: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]
• how: to what extent; in what way [haʊ]
• moving: causing strong emotion, especially of sadness or sympathy [ˈmuvɪŋ]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• exciting: causing great enthusiasm and eagerness [ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ]
• she: referring to a female person or character previously mentioned [ʃi]
• was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]

"I think it is time for breakfast," she added an instant later. "If you would have the kindness to think of my needs — "

• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• think: to have a particular belief or idea [θɪŋk]
• it: refers to the situation or time [ɪt]
• is: third-person singular present of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]
• time: a point in time when something should happen [taɪm]
• for: indicating the purpose or reason of something [fər]
• breakfast: the first meal of the day [ˈbrɛkfəst]
• she: third-person singular female pronoun [ʃi]
• added: to say something more [ˈædɪd]
• an instant later: a very short time after [ən ˈɪnstənt ˈleɪtər]
• If: introducing a conditional clause [ɪf]
• you: second-person singular pronoun [ju]
• would have: expressing a polite request or condition [wʊd hæv]
• the kindness: the quality of being kind [ðə ˈkaɪndnəs]
• to think: to use one's mind to consider something [tɪ θɪŋk]
• of: expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• my: first-person singular possessive pronoun [maɪ]
• needs: things that are necessary or wanted [nidz]

Arrosoir.jpg

And the little prince, completely abashed, went to look for a sprinkling-can of fresh water.

• And: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific noun [ðə]
• little: small in size [ˈlɪtəl]
• prince: a male member of a royal family [prɪns]
• completely: totally; entirely [kəmˈplitli]
• abashed: embarrassed, ashamed, or nonplussed [əˈbæʃt]
• went: past tense of 'go', meaning to move or travel [wɛnt]
• to look: to try to find something [tɪ lʊk]
• for: indicating the purpose of an action [fər]
• a sprinkling-can: a can with a perforated nozzle for sprinkling water [ə sprinkling-can]
• of: indicating the material or contents of something [əv]
• fresh: newly made or obtained; not stale [frɛʃ]
• water: a clear, colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid [ˈwɔtər]

So, he tended the flower.

• So: therefore; for that reason [soʊ]
• he: third-person singular male pronoun [hi]
• tended: cared for; looked after [ˈtɛndɪd]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific noun [ðə]
• flower: the seed-bearing part of a plant [flaʊər]

So, too, she began very quickly to torment him with her vanity — which was, if the truth be known, a little difficult to deal with.

• So: in the same way; also [soʊ]
• too: in addition; also [tu]
• she: third-person singular female pronoun [ʃi]
• began: past tense of 'begin', meaning to start [bɪˈgæn]
• very: in a high degree; extremely [ˈvɛri]
• quickly: at a fast speed; rapidly [kˈwɪkli]
• to torment: to cause great suffering to someone [tɪ ˈtɔrˌmɛnt]
• him: third-person singular male object pronoun [ɪm]
• with: accompanied by; using [wɪθ]
• her: third-person singular female possessive pronoun [hər]
• vanity: excessive pride in or admiration of one's own appearance or achievements [ˈvænɪti]
• which: referring to something previously mentioned [wɪʧ]
• was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• if: introducing a conditional clause [ɪf]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific noun [ðə]
• truth: the actual state of a matter [truθ]
• be known: to be revealed or understood [bi noʊn]
• a little: a small amount [ə ˈlɪtəl]
• difficult: needing much effort or skill to accomplish, deal with, or understand [ˈdɪfəkəlt]
• to deal with: to take action to solve a problem [tɪ dil wɪθ]

"Let the tigers come with their claws!"

• Let: allow or permit [lɛt]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific noun [ðə]
• tigers: a large feline animal with a striped coat [ˈtaɪgərz]
• come: to move or travel towards or into a place [kəm]
• with: accompanied by; using [wɪθ]
• their: third-person plural possessive pronoun [ðɛr]
• claws: a sharp, curved nail on the foot of an animal or bird [klɔz]

Tigre.jpg

"There are no tigers on my planet," the little prince objected. "And, anyway, tigers do not eat weeds."

• There are: indicates existence or presence [ðɛr ər]
• no tigers: absence of tigers; tigers not present [noʊ ˈtaɪgərz]
• on my planet: located on the speaker's planet [ɔn maɪ ˈplænət]
• the little prince: refers to a character known as the little prince [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]
• objected: expressed disagreement or disapproval [əˈbʤɛktəd]
• And: used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]
• anyway: regardless of what was previously mentioned [ˈɛniˌweɪ]
• tigers: plural of tiger, a large feline animal [ˈtaɪgərz]
• do not eat: refusal or inability to consume [du nɑt it]
• weeds: unwanted plants [widz]

"I am not a weed," the flower replied, sweetly.

• I am: first-person singular present tense of the verb 'to be' [aɪ æm]
• not a weed: denial of being a weed; not classified as a weed [nɑt ə wid]
• the flower: refers to a specific flower [ðə flaʊər]
• replied: answered; responded in words [rɪˈplaɪd]
• sweetly: in a pleasant or kind manner [sˈwitli]

"Please excuse me..."

• Please excuse me: a polite expression used to ask for forgiveness or to be pardoned for something [pliz ɪkˈskjuz mi]