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 Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
abroad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
act
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
boughs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
Bud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was not Bud to be a prominent character?
character
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was not Bud to be a prominent character?
community
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
everywhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Tanner talked about it everywhere he went.
excitedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪd/
very enthusiastic or eager
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
fathers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mothers and fathers and sisters talked about it, and the work of preparing the play went on.
getting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mr. Tanner talked about it everywhere he went.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
manner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
mothers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mothers and fathers and sisters talked about it, and the work of preparing the play went on.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Tanner talked about it everywhere he went.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Tanner talked much about it.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Tanner talked much about it.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
noised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Was not Bud to be a prominent character?
Now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The mothers and fathers and sisters talked about it, and the work of preparing the play went on.
piano
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
play
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
players
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
preparing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mothers and fathers and sisters talked about it, and the work of preparing the play went on.
prominent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was not Bud to be a prominent character?
purchase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
scholars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
Shakespeare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
sisters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mothers and fathers and sisters talked about it, and the work of preparing the play went on.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
stage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
talked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Tanner talked much about it.
Tanner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Tanner talked much about it.
teacher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
tree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mr. Tanner talked about it everywhere he went.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
wonderfulnounUS /ˈwonderful/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Now when it became noised abroad that the new teacher wanted above all things to purchase a piano, and that to that end she was getting up a wonderful Shakespeare play in which the scholars were to act upon a stage set with tree boughs after the manner of some new kind of players, the whole community round about began to be excited.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mothers and fathers and sisters talked about it, and the work of preparing the play went on.
