Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I was already so deeply in his debt that he was compelled to carry me, inspired by the optimistic hope that some day the tide of my fortunes would turn.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Many a time had this lad ferried me to one steamer after another, until now his anxiety that I should obtain remunerative employment was nearly as great as my own.
anxiety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many a time had this lad ferried me to one steamer after another, until now his anxiety that I should obtain remunerative employment was nearly as great as my own.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I believe that commercial institutions are sometimes helped over a crisis in the same manner, as they owe so much their creditors dare not let them sink.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading So far as I could learn, the owner had not come ashore; therefore I hired a sampan from a boatman who trusted me.
ashore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So far as I could learn, the owner had not come ashore; therefore I hired a sampan from a boatman who trusted me.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
believenounUS /ˈbelieve/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I believe that commercial institutions are sometimes helped over a crisis in the same manner, as they owe so much their creditors dare not let them sink.
boatman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So far as I could learn, the owner had not come ashore; therefore I hired a sampan from a boatman who trusted me.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
carry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was already so deeply in his debt that he was compelled to carry me, inspired by the optimistic hope that some day the tide of my fortunes would turn.
Chicago
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So far as I could learn, the owner had not come ashore; therefore I hired a sampan from a boatman who trusted me.
commercial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that commercial institutions are sometimes helped over a crisis in the same manner, as they owe so much their creditors dare not let them sink.
compelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was already so deeply in his debt that he was compelled to carry me, inspired by the optimistic hope that some day the tide of my fortunes would turn.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading So far as I could learn, the owner had not come ashore; therefore I hired a sampan from a boatman who trusted me.
creditors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that commercial institutions are sometimes helped over a crisis in the same manner, as they owe so much their creditors dare not let them sink.
crisis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that commercial institutions are sometimes helped over a crisis in the same manner, as they owe so much their creditors dare not let them sink.
custom-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
dare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that commercial institutions are sometimes helped over a crisis in the same manner, as they owe so much their creditors dare not let them sink.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was already so deeply in his debt that he was compelled to carry me, inspired by the optimistic hope that some day the tide of my fortunes would turn.
debt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was already so deeply in his debt that he was compelled to carry me, inspired by the optimistic hope that some day the tide of my fortunes would turn.
deeply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was already so deeply in his debt that he was compelled to carry me, inspired by the optimistic hope that some day the tide of my fortunes would turn.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
employment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many a time had this lad ferried me to one steamer after another, until now his anxiety that I should obtain remunerative employment was nearly as great as my own.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So far as I could learn, the owner had not come ashore; therefore I hired a sampan from a boatman who trusted me.
ferried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many a time had this lad ferried me to one steamer after another, until now his anxiety that I should obtain remunerative employment was nearly as great as my own.
fortunes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was already so deeply in his debt that he was compelled to carry me, inspired by the optimistic hope that some day the tide of my fortunes would turn.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading So far as I could learn, the owner had not come ashore; therefore I hired a sampan from a boatman who trusted me.
frugal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Many a time had this lad ferried me to one steamer after another, until now his anxiety that I should obtain remunerative employment was nearly as great as my own.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading So far as I could learn, the owner had not come ashore; therefore I hired a sampan from a boatman who trusted me.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I was already so deeply in his debt that he was compelled to carry me, inspired by the optimistic hope that some day the tide of my fortunes would turn.
helped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that commercial institutions are sometimes helped over a crisis in the same manner, as they owe so much their creditors dare not let them sink.
Hemster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
hill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
hired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So far as I could learn, the owner had not come ashore; therefore I hired a sampan from a boatman who trusted me.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I was already so deeply in his debt that he was compelled to carry me, inspired by the optimistic hope that some day the tide of my fortunes would turn.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was already so deeply in his debt that he was compelled to carry me, inspired by the optimistic hope that some day the tide of my fortunes would turn.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I was already so deeply in his debt that he was compelled to carry me, inspired by the optimistic hope that some day the tide of my fortunes would turn.
inquiry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
inspired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was already so deeply in his debt that he was compelled to carry me, inspired by the optimistic hope that some day the tide of my fortunes would turn.
institutions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that commercial institutions are sometimes helped over a crisis in the same manner, as they owe so much their creditors dare not let them sink.
K
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
lad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many a time had this lad ferried me to one steamer after another, until now his anxiety that I should obtain remunerative employment was nearly as great as my own.
learn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So far as I could learn, the owner had not come ashore; therefore I hired a sampan from a boatman who trusted me.
learned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading I believe that commercial institutions are sometimes helped over a crisis in the same manner, as they owe so much their creditors dare not let them sink.
lower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
manner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that commercial institutions are sometimes helped over a crisis in the same manner, as they owe so much their creditors dare not let them sink.
Many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many a time had this lad ferried me to one steamer after another, until now his anxiety that I should obtain remunerative employment was nearly as great as my own.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading So far as I could learn, the owner had not come ashore; therefore I hired a sampan from a boatman who trusted me.
Michigan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that commercial institutions are sometimes helped over a crisis in the same manner, as they owe so much their creditors dare not let them sink.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I was already so deeply in his debt that he was compelled to carry me, inspired by the optimistic hope that some day the tide of my fortunes would turn.
named
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many a time had this lad ferried me to one steamer after another, until now his anxiety that I should obtain remunerative employment was nearly as great as my own.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading So far as I could learn, the owner had not come ashore; therefore I hired a sampan from a boatman who trusted me.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many a time had this lad ferried me to one steamer after another, until now his anxiety that I should obtain remunerative employment was nearly as great as my own.
obtainverbUS /əbˈteɪn/
to get something, especially through effort
From this reading Many a time had this lad ferried me to one steamer after another, until now his anxiety that I should obtain remunerative employment was nearly as great as my own.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Many a time had this lad ferried me to one steamer after another, until now his anxiety that I should obtain remunerative employment was nearly as great as my own.
optimistic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was already so deeply in his debt that he was compelled to carry me, inspired by the optimistic hope that some day the tide of my fortunes would turn.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading I believe that commercial institutions are sometimes helped over a crisis in the same manner, as they owe so much their creditors dare not let them sink.
owe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that commercial institutions are sometimes helped over a crisis in the same manner, as they owe so much their creditors dare not let them sink.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many a time had this lad ferried me to one steamer after another, until now his anxiety that I should obtain remunerative employment was nearly as great as my own.
owned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
owner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So far as I could learn, the owner had not come ashore; therefore I hired a sampan from a boatman who trusted me.
remunerative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many a time had this lad ferried me to one steamer after another, until now his anxiety that I should obtain remunerative employment was nearly as great as my own.
repast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I believe that commercial institutions are sometimes helped over a crisis in the same manner, as they owe so much their creditors dare not let them sink.
sampan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So far as I could learn, the owner had not come ashore; therefore I hired a sampan from a boatman who trusted me.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Many a time had this lad ferried me to one steamer after another, until now his anxiety that I should obtain remunerative employment was nearly as great as my own.
Silas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
sink
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that commercial institutions are sometimes helped over a crisis in the same manner, as they owe so much their creditors dare not let them sink.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So far as I could learn, the owner had not come ashore; therefore I hired a sampan from a boatman who trusted me.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was already so deeply in his debt that he was compelled to carry me, inspired by the optimistic hope that some day the tide of my fortunes would turn.
sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that commercial institutions are sometimes helped over a crisis in the same manner, as they owe so much their creditors dare not let them sink.
steamer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many a time had this lad ferried me to one steamer after another, until now his anxiety that I should obtain remunerative employment was nearly as great as my own.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading I believe that commercial institutions are sometimes helped over a crisis in the same manner, as they owe so much their creditors dare not let them sink.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I believe that commercial institutions are sometimes helped over a crisis in the same manner, as they owe so much their creditors dare not let them sink.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading So far as I could learn, the owner had not come ashore; therefore I hired a sampan from a boatman who trusted me.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I believe that commercial institutions are sometimes helped over a crisis in the same manner, as they owe so much their creditors dare not let them sink.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Many a time had this lad ferried me to one steamer after another, until now his anxiety that I should obtain remunerative employment was nearly as great as my own.
tide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was already so deeply in his debt that he was compelled to carry me, inspired by the optimistic hope that some day the tide of my fortunes would turn.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Many a time had this lad ferried me to one steamer after another, until now his anxiety that I should obtain remunerative employment was nearly as great as my own.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
trusted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So far as I could learn, the owner had not come ashore; therefore I hired a sampan from a boatman who trusted me.
turn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was already so deeply in his debt that he was compelled to carry me, inspired by the optimistic hope that some day the tide of my fortunes would turn.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Many a time had this lad ferried me to one steamer after another, until now his anxiety that I should obtain remunerative employment was nearly as great as my own.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading So far as I could learn, the owner had not come ashore; therefore I hired a sampan from a boatman who trusted me.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I was already so deeply in his debt that he was compelled to carry me, inspired by the optimistic hope that some day the tide of my fortunes would turn.
yacht
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a frugal repast I went down the hill to the lower town, and on inquiry at the custom-house learned that the yacht was named the “Michigan,” and that she was owned by Silas K. Hemster, of Chicago.
