1889
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
acquaintancesnounUS /əˈkweɪntənsɪz/
plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading In venturing out of my adoptive New England, where I had found myself at home with many imaginary friends, I found it natural to ask the company of these familiar acquaintances, but their company was not to be had at once for the asking.
adoptiveadjectiveUS /əˈdɑːptɪv/
of parents and children; related by adoption
From this reading In venturing out of my adoptive New England, where I had found myself at home with many imaginary friends, I found it natural to ask the company of these familiar acquaintances, but their company was not to be had at once for the asking.
adventurernounUS /ædˈventʃərər/
a person who enjoys taking risks
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
agenounUS /eɪdʒ/
how long something has existed
From this reading When I began speaking of them as Basil and Isabel, in the fashion of 'Their Wedding Journey,' they would not respond with the effect of early middle age which I desired in them.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was a character whom, with his wife, I have employed in some six or eight other stories, and whom I made as much the hero and heroine of 'Their Wedding Journey' as the slight fable would bear.
askverbUS /æsk/
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading In venturing out of my adoptive New England, where I had found myself at home with many imaginary friends, I found it natural to ask the company of these familiar acquaintances, but their company was not to be had at once for the asking.
askingnounUS /ˈæskɪŋ/
the verbal act of requesting
From this reading In venturing out of my adoptive New England, where I had found myself at home with many imaginary friends, I found it natural to ask the company of these familiar acquaintances, but their company was not to be had at once for the asking.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In venturing out of my adoptive New England, where I had found myself at home with many imaginary friends, I found it natural to ask the company of these familiar acquaintances, but their company was not to be had at once for the asking.
BasilnounUS /ˈbæzəl/
any of several Old World tropical aromatic annual or perennial herbs of the genus Ocimum
From this reading When I began speaking of them as Basil and Isabel, in the fashion of 'Their Wedding Journey,' they would not respond with the effect of early middle age which I desired in them.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In venturing out of my adoptive New England, where I had found myself at home with many imaginary friends, I found it natural to ask the company of these familiar acquaintances, but their company was not to be had at once for the asking.
bearverbUS /ber/
have
From this reading He was a character whom, with his wife, I have employed in some six or eight other stories, and whom I made as much the hero and heroine of 'Their Wedding Journey' as the slight fable would bear.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
BostonnounUS /ˈbɑːstən/
state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
bridaladjectiveUS /ˈbraɪdəl/
of or relating to a wedding
From this reading They remained wilfully, not to say woodenly, the young bridal pair of that romance, without the promise of novel functioning.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In venturing out of my adoptive New England, where I had found myself at home with many imaginary friends, I found it natural to ask the company of these familiar acquaintances, but their company was not to be had at once for the asking.
CambridgenounUS /ˈkeɪmbrɪdʒ/
a university in England
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
centurynounUS /ˈsentʃəri/
a period of 100 years
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading He was a character whom, with his wife, I have employed in some six or eight other stories, and whom I made as much the hero and heroine of 'Their Wedding Journey' as the slight fable would bear.
commercialadjectiveUS /kəˈmɜːrʃəl/
connected with or engaged in or sponsored by or used in commerce or commercial enterprises
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
companynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading In venturing out of my adoptive New England, where I had found myself at home with many imaginary friends, I found it natural to ask the company of these familiar acquaintances, but their company was not to be had at once for the asking.
desiredadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪərd/
wanted intensely
From this reading When I began speaking of them as Basil and Isabel, in the fashion of 'Their Wedding Journey,' they would not respond with the effect of early middle age which I desired in them.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading When I began speaking of them as Basil and Isabel, in the fashion of 'Their Wedding Journey,' they would not respond with the effect of early middle age which I desired in them.
effectnounUS /ɪˈfekt/
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading When I began speaking of them as Basil and Isabel, in the fashion of 'Their Wedding Journey,' they would not respond with the effect of early middle age which I desired in them.
eightadjectiveUS /eɪt/
being one more than seven
From this reading He was a character whom, with his wife, I have employed in some six or eight other stories, and whom I made as much the hero and heroine of 'Their Wedding Journey' as the slight fable would bear.
employedadjectiveUS /emˈplɔɪd/
having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary
From this reading He was a character whom, with his wife, I have employed in some six or eight other stories, and whom I made as much the hero and heroine of 'Their Wedding Journey' as the slight fable would bear.
endingnounUS /ˈendɪŋ/
the end of a word (a suffix or inflectional ending or final morpheme)
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
EnglandnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlənd/
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading In venturing out of my adoptive New England, where I had found myself at home with many imaginary friends, I found it natural to ask the company of these familiar acquaintances, but their company was not to be had at once for the asking.
experienceverbUS /ɪkˈspɪriəns/
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
fablenounUS /ˈfeɪbəl/
a deliberately false or improbable account
From this reading He was a character whom, with his wife, I have employed in some six or eight other stories, and whom I made as much the hero and heroine of 'Their Wedding Journey' as the slight fable would bear.
familiaradjectiveUS /fəˈmɪljər/
well known or easily recognized
From this reading In venturing out of my adoptive New England, where I had found myself at home with many imaginary friends, I found it natural to ask the company of these familiar acquaintances, but their company was not to be had at once for the asking.
fashionnounUS /ˈfæʃən/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading When I began speaking of them as Basil and Isabel, in the fashion of 'Their Wedding Journey,' they would not respond with the effect of early middle age which I desired in them.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In venturing out of my adoptive New England, where I had found myself at home with many imaginary friends, I found it natural to ask the company of these familiar acquaintances, but their company was not to be had at once for the asking.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading In venturing out of my adoptive New England, where I had found myself at home with many imaginary friends, I found it natural to ask the company of these familiar acquaintances, but their company was not to be had at once for the asking.
framingnounUS /ˈfreɪmɪŋ/
formulation of the plans and important details
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
friendsnounUS /frendz/
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading In venturing out of my adoptive New England, where I had found myself at home with many imaginary friends, I found it natural to ask the company of these familiar acquaintances, but their company was not to be had at once for the asking.
fruitnounUS /fruːt/
the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
functioningadjectiveUS /ˈfʌŋkʃənɪŋ/
performing or able to perform its regular function
From this reading They remained wilfully, not to say woodenly, the young bridal pair of that romance, without the promise of novel functioning.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In venturing out of my adoptive New England, where I had found myself at home with many imaginary friends, I found it natural to ask the company of these familiar acquaintances, but their company was not to be had at once for the asking.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He was a character whom, with his wife, I have employed in some six or eight other stories, and whom I made as much the hero and heroine of 'Their Wedding Journey' as the slight fable would bear.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was a character whom, with his wife, I have employed in some six or eight other stories, and whom I made as much the hero and heroine of 'Their Wedding Journey' as the slight fable would bear.
heronounUS /ˈhɪroʊ/
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading He was a character whom, with his wife, I have employed in some six or eight other stories, and whom I made as much the hero and heroine of 'Their Wedding Journey' as the slight fable would bear.
heroinenounUS /ˈheroʊən/
the main good female character in a work of fiction
From this reading He was a character whom, with his wife, I have employed in some six or eight other stories, and whom I made as much the hero and heroine of 'Their Wedding Journey' as the slight fable would bear.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was a character whom, with his wife, I have employed in some six or eight other stories, and whom I made as much the hero and heroine of 'Their Wedding Journey' as the slight fable would bear.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading In venturing out of my adoptive New England, where I had found myself at home with many imaginary friends, I found it natural to ask the company of these familiar acquaintances, but their company was not to be had at once for the asking.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
imaginaryadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmædʒəneri/
not based on fact; existing only in the imagination
From this reading In venturing out of my adoptive New England, where I had found myself at home with many imaginary friends, I found it natural to ask the company of these familiar acquaintances, but their company was not to be had at once for the asking.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
Isabel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I began speaking of them as Basil and Isabel, in the fashion of 'Their Wedding Journey,' they would not respond with the effect of early middle age which I desired in them.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
JourneyverbUS /ˈdʒɜːrni/
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading He was a character whom, with his wife, I have employed in some six or eight other stories, and whom I made as much the hero and heroine of 'Their Wedding Journey' as the slight fable would bear.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
literaryadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəreri/
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
liveverbUS /laɪv/
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He was a character whom, with his wife, I have employed in some six or eight other stories, and whom I made as much the hero and heroine of 'Their Wedding Journey' as the slight fable would bear.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading In venturing out of my adoptive New England, where I had found myself at home with many imaginary friends, I found it natural to ask the company of these familiar acquaintances, but their company was not to be had at once for the asking.
metropolisnounUS /məˈtrɑːpələs/
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
middlenounUS /ˈmɪdəl/
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading When I began speaking of them as Basil and Isabel, in the fashion of 'Their Wedding Journey,' they would not respond with the effect of early middle age which I desired in them.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He was a character whom, with his wife, I have employed in some six or eight other stories, and whom I made as much the hero and heroine of 'Their Wedding Journey' as the slight fable would bear.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading In venturing out of my adoptive New England, where I had found myself at home with many imaginary friends, I found it natural to ask the company of these familiar acquaintances, but their company was not to be had at once for the asking.
naturaladjectiveUS /ˈnætʃərəl/
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading In venturing out of my adoptive New England, where I had found myself at home with many imaginary friends, I found it natural to ask the company of these familiar acquaintances, but their company was not to be had at once for the asking.
NewadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In venturing out of my adoptive New England, where I had found myself at home with many imaginary friends, I found it natural to ask the company of these familiar acquaintances, but their company was not to be had at once for the asking.
novelnounUS /ˈnɑːvəl/
an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
From this reading They remained wilfully, not to say woodenly, the young bridal pair of that romance, without the promise of novel functioning.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading In venturing out of my adoptive New England, where I had found myself at home with many imaginary friends, I found it natural to ask the company of these familiar acquaintances, but their company was not to be had at once for the asking.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He was a character whom, with his wife, I have employed in some six or eight other stories, and whom I made as much the hero and heroine of 'Their Wedding Journey' as the slight fable would bear.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He was a character whom, with his wife, I have employed in some six or eight other stories, and whom I made as much the hero and heroine of 'Their Wedding Journey' as the slight fable would bear.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading In venturing out of my adoptive New England, where I had found myself at home with many imaginary friends, I found it natural to ask the company of these familiar acquaintances, but their company was not to be had at once for the asking.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
pairnounUS /per/
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading They remained wilfully, not to say woodenly, the young bridal pair of that romance, without the promise of novel functioning.
promiseverbUS /ˈprɑːməs/
make a promise or commitment
From this reading They remained wilfully, not to say woodenly, the young bridal pair of that romance, without the promise of novel functioning.
quarternounUS /ˈkwɔːrtər/
one of four equal parts
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
remainedverbUS /rɪˈmeɪnd/
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading They remained wilfully, not to say woodenly, the young bridal pair of that romance, without the promise of novel functioning.
respondverbUS /rɪˈspɑːnd/
show a response or a reaction to something
From this reading When I began speaking of them as Basil and Isabel, in the fashion of 'Their Wedding Journey,' they would not respond with the effect of early middle age which I desired in them.
romancenounUS /roʊˈmæns/
a relationship between two lovers
From this reading They remained wilfully, not to say woodenly, the young bridal pair of that romance, without the promise of novel functioning.
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading They remained wilfully, not to say woodenly, the young bridal pair of that romance, without the promise of novel functioning.
sixnounUS /sɪks/
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading He was a character whom, with his wife, I have employed in some six or eight other stories, and whom I made as much the hero and heroine of 'Their Wedding Journey' as the slight fable would bear.
slightnounUS /slaɪt/
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading He was a character whom, with his wife, I have employed in some six or eight other stories, and whom I made as much the hero and heroine of 'Their Wedding Journey' as the slight fable would bear.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He was a character whom, with his wife, I have employed in some six or eight other stories, and whom I made as much the hero and heroine of 'Their Wedding Journey' as the slight fable would bear.
speakingnounUS /ˈspiːkɪŋ/
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading When I began speaking of them as Basil and Isabel, in the fashion of 'Their Wedding Journey,' they would not respond with the effect of early middle age which I desired in them.
storiesnounUS /ˈstɔːriz/
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading He was a character whom, with his wife, I have employed in some six or eight other stories, and whom I made as much the hero and heroine of 'Their Wedding Journey' as the slight fable would bear.
storynounUS /ˈstɔːri/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
supposititiousadjective
based primarily on surmise rather than adequate evidence
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
TheirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He was a character whom, with his wife, I have employed in some six or eight other stories, and whom I made as much the hero and heroine of 'Their Wedding Journey' as the slight fable would bear.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading When I began speaking of them as Basil and Isabel, in the fashion of 'Their Wedding Journey,' they would not respond with the effect of early middle age which I desired in them.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading In venturing out of my adoptive New England, where I had found myself at home with many imaginary friends, I found it natural to ask the company of these familiar acquaintances, but their company was not to be had at once for the asking.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When I began speaking of them as Basil and Isabel, in the fashion of 'Their Wedding Journey,' they would not respond with the effect of early middle age which I desired in them.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
transitionnounUS /trænˈzɪʃən/
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
usedadjectiveUS /juːzd/
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
venturingverbUS /ˈventʃərɪŋ/
-ing form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading In venturing out of my adoptive New England, where I had found myself at home with many imaginary friends, I found it natural to ask the company of these familiar acquaintances, but their company was not to be had at once for the asking.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
WeddingnounUS /ˈwedɪŋ/
the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading He was a character whom, with his wife, I have employed in some six or eight other stories, and whom I made as much the hero and heroine of 'Their Wedding Journey' as the slight fable would bear.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading In venturing out of my adoptive New England, where I had found myself at home with many imaginary friends, I found it natural to ask the company of these familiar acquaintances, but their company was not to be had at once for the asking.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
whollyadverbUS /ˈhoʊli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was a character whom, with his wife, I have employed in some six or eight other stories, and whom I made as much the hero and heroine of 'Their Wedding Journey' as the slight fable would bear.
wifenounUS /waɪf/
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading He was a character whom, with his wife, I have employed in some six or eight other stories, and whom I made as much the hero and heroine of 'Their Wedding Journey' as the slight fable would bear.
wilfullyadverbUS /ˈwɪlfəli/
in a willful manner
From this reading They remained wilfully, not to say woodenly, the young bridal pair of that romance, without the promise of novel functioning.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was a character whom, with his wife, I have employed in some six or eight other stories, and whom I made as much the hero and heroine of 'Their Wedding Journey' as the slight fable would bear.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading They remained wilfully, not to say woodenly, the young bridal pair of that romance, without the promise of novel functioning.
woodenlyadverb
without grace; rigidly
From this reading They remained wilfully, not to say woodenly, the young bridal pair of that romance, without the promise of novel functioning.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was a character whom, with his wife, I have employed in some six or eight other stories, and whom I made as much the hero and heroine of 'Their Wedding Journey' as the slight fable would bear.
YorknounUS /jɔːrk/
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading The following story was the first fruit of my New York life when I began to live it after my quarter of a century in Cambridge and Boston, ending in 1889; and I used my own transition to the commercial metropolis in framing the experience which was wholly that of my supposititious literary adventurer.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading They remained wilfully, not to say woodenly, the young bridal pair of that romance, without the promise of novel functioning.
