Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
1812
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of the boys said Solomon had gone crazy from fear of being drafted in the war of 1812; others that he had been crossed in love; but my boy did not quite know then what either meant.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
anguish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He only knew that Solomon Whistler lived at the poor-house beyond the eastern border of the town, and that he ranged between this sojourn and the illimitable wilderness north of the town on the western shore of the river.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Some of the boys said Solomon had gone crazy from fear of being drafted in the war of 1812; others that he had been crossed in love; but my boy did not quite know then what either meant.
belongs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the bridge he first saw the crazy man who belongs in every boy's town.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading He only knew that Solomon Whistler lived at the poor-house beyond the eastern border of the town, and that he ranged between this sojourn and the illimitable wilderness north of the town on the western shore of the river.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading He only knew that Solomon Whistler lived at the poor-house beyond the eastern border of the town, and that he ranged between this sojourn and the illimitable wilderness north of the town on the western shore of the river.
bloodnounUS /blood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
border
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He only knew that Solomon Whistler lived at the poor-house beyond the eastern border of the town, and that he ranged between this sojourn and the illimitable wilderness north of the town on the western shore of the river.
boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
boy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the bridge he first saw the crazy man who belongs in every boy's town.
boys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
bridge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the bridge he first saw the crazy man who belongs in every boy's town.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Some of the boys said Solomon had gone crazy from fear of being drafted in the war of 1812; others that he had been crossed in love; but my boy did not quite know then what either meant.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
crazy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the bridge he first saw the crazy man who belongs in every boy's town.
creaturenounUS /ˈcreature/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
crossed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of the boys said Solomon had gone crazy from fear of being drafted in the war of 1812; others that he had been crossed in love; but my boy did not quite know then what either meant.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Some of the boys said Solomon had gone crazy from fear of being drafted in the war of 1812; others that he had been crossed in love; but my boy did not quite know then what either meant.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
drafted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of the boys said Solomon had gone crazy from fear of being drafted in the war of 1812; others that he had been crossed in love; but my boy did not quite know then what either meant.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
eastern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He only knew that Solomon Whistler lived at the poor-house beyond the eastern border of the town, and that he ranged between this sojourn and the illimitable wilderness north of the town on the western shore of the river.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading Some of the boys said Solomon had gone crazy from fear of being drafted in the war of 1812; others that he had been crossed in love; but my boy did not quite know then what either meant.
endowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading On the bridge he first saw the crazy man who belongs in every boy's town.
expectverbUS /ɪkˈspekt/
to think that something will happen
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
fancy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
fear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of the boys said Solomon had gone crazy from fear of being drafted in the war of 1812; others that he had been crossed in love; but my boy did not quite know then what either meant.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On the bridge he first saw the crazy man who belongs in every boy's town.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Some of the boys said Solomon had gone crazy from fear of being drafted in the war of 1812; others that he had been crossed in love; but my boy did not quite know then what either meant.
froze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of the boys said Solomon had gone crazy from fear of being drafted in the war of 1812; others that he had been crossed in love; but my boy did not quite know then what either meant.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
guess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
hapless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
harmless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On the bridge he first saw the crazy man who belongs in every boy's town.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
illimitable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He only knew that Solomon Whistler lived at the poor-house beyond the eastern border of the town, and that he ranged between this sojourn and the illimitable wilderness north of the town on the western shore of the river.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On the bridge he first saw the crazy man who belongs in every boy's town.
insensibility
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Some of the boys said Solomon had gone crazy from fear of being drafted in the war of 1812; others that he had been crossed in love; but my boy did not quite know then what either meant.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He only knew that Solomon Whistler lived at the poor-house beyond the eastern border of the town, and that he ranged between this sojourn and the illimitable wilderness north of the town on the western shore of the river.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of the boys said Solomon had gone crazy from fear of being drafted in the war of 1812; others that he had been crossed in love; but my boy did not quite know then what either meant.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the bridge he first saw the crazy man who belongs in every boy's town.
marched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
meant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of the boys said Solomon had gone crazy from fear of being drafted in the war of 1812; others that he had been crossed in love; but my boy did not quite know then what either meant.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
midway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
north
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He only knew that Solomon Whistler lived at the poor-house beyond the eastern border of the town, and that he ranged between this sojourn and the illimitable wilderness north of the town on the western shore of the river.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the bridge he first saw the crazy man who belongs in every boy's town.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He only knew that Solomon Whistler lived at the poor-house beyond the eastern border of the town, and that he ranged between this sojourn and the illimitable wilderness north of the town on the western shore of the river.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of the boys said Solomon had gone crazy from fear of being drafted in the war of 1812; others that he had been crossed in love; but my boy did not quite know then what either meant.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
playfellows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
poor-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He only knew that Solomon Whistler lived at the poor-house beyond the eastern border of the town, and that he ranged between this sojourn and the illimitable wilderness north of the town on the western shore of the river.
presence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Some of the boys said Solomon had gone crazy from fear of being drafted in the war of 1812; others that he had been crossed in love; but my boy did not quite know then what either meant.
ranged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He only knew that Solomon Whistler lived at the poor-house beyond the eastern border of the town, and that he ranged between this sojourn and the illimitable wilderness north of the town on the western shore of the river.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He only knew that Solomon Whistler lived at the poor-house beyond the eastern border of the town, and that he ranged between this sojourn and the illimitable wilderness north of the town on the western shore of the river.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of the boys said Solomon had gone crazy from fear of being drafted in the war of 1812; others that he had been crossed in love; but my boy did not quite know then what either meant.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the bridge he first saw the crazy man who belongs in every boy's town.
shore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He only knew that Solomon Whistler lived at the poor-house beyond the eastern border of the town, and that he ranged between this sojourn and the illimitable wilderness north of the town on the western shore of the river.
shrivelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
silently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
sojourn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He only knew that Solomon Whistler lived at the poor-house beyond the eastern border of the town, and that he ranged between this sojourn and the illimitable wilderness north of the town on the western shore of the river.
Solomonproper nounUS /ˈsɒl.ə.mən/
A legendary king renowned for his wisdom and fabulous hidden mines.
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
sport
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
swiftly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
taught
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
terror
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On the bridge he first saw the crazy man who belongs in every boy's town.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of the boys said Solomon had gone crazy from fear of being drafted in the war of 1812; others that he had been crossed in love; but my boy did not quite know then what either meant.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the bridge he first saw the crazy man who belongs in every boy's town.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
vivid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
war
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of the boys said Solomon had gone crazy from fear of being drafted in the war of 1812; others that he had been crossed in love; but my boy did not quite know then what either meant.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
western
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He only knew that Solomon Whistler lived at the poor-house beyond the eastern border of the town, and that he ranged between this sojourn and the illimitable wilderness north of the town on the western shore of the river.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
whistled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
Whistler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading On the bridge he first saw the crazy man who belongs in every boy's town.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
wildernessnounUS /ˈwɪldərnəs/
a wild area where few people live
From this reading He only knew that Solomon Whistler lived at the poor-house beyond the eastern border of the town, and that he ranged between this sojourn and the illimitable wilderness north of the town on the western shore of the river.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading In this one he was a hapless, harmless creature, whom the boys knew as Solomon Whistler, perhaps because his name was Whistler, perhaps because he whistled; though when my boy met him midway of the bridge, he marched swiftly and silently by, with his head high and looking neither to the right nor to the left, with an insensibility to the boy's presence that froze his blood and shrivelled him up with terror.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading As his fancy early became the sport of playfellows not endowed with one so vivid, he was taught to expect that Solomon Whistler would get him some day, though what he would do with him when he had got him his anguish must have been too great even to let him guess.
