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 So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
asking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could think of nothing but going into the shops, or knocking at the house-doors, and asking for something to do.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He could think of nothing but going into the shops, or knocking at the house-doors, and asking for something to do.
BAKER'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BAKER’S CART.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
begun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
bornnounUS /born/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He could think of nothing but going into the shops, or knocking at the house-doors, and asking for something to do.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
CART
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From this reading THE BAKER’S CART.
chimneys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
claim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
Clare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
company
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
county
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
disadvantage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
dismayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
earn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
employ
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
faint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
filled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could think of nothing but going into the shops, or knocking at the house-doors, and asking for something to do.
grow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
house-doors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could think of nothing but going into the shops, or knocking at the house-doors, and asking for something to do.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
hungry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He could think of nothing but going into the shops, or knocking at the house-doors, and asking for something to do.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
knocking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could think of nothing but going into the shops, or knocking at the house-doors, and asking for something to do.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
leading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
mark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
mill-floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
neednounUS /need/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He could think of nothing but going into the shops, or knocking at the house-doors, and asking for something to do.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He could think of nothing but going into the shops, or knocking at the house-doors, and asking for something to do.
outward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
pond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
revolving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
rising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
road
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
shops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could think of nothing but going into the shops, or knocking at the house-doors, and asking for something to do.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading He could think of nothing but going into the shops, or knocking at the house-doors, and asking for something to do.
spires
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
sweepings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BAKER’S CART.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
thief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He could think of nothing but going into the shops, or knocking at the house-doors, and asking for something to do.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
Tommy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
undefined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
unwilling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.
