adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Servants would be persons knowing that for a certain period certain tasks were imposed on them, tasks tantamount to those in which all their coevals were simultaneously engaged.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Servants would be persons knowing that for a certain period certain tasks were imposed on them, tasks tantamount to those in which all their coevals were simultaneously engaged.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Those who remain grow more and more touchy, knowing themselves a mock to the rest; and their qualms, even more uncomfortably than their demands and defects, are always haunting their employers.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To-day they are persons not knowing, as who should say, where they are, and wishing all the while they were elsewhere--and mostly, as I have said, going elsewhere.
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading I wish I could find another; but in writing one must be more explicit than one need be by word of mouth.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading To-day they are persons not knowing, as who should say, where they are, and wishing all the while they were elsewhere--and mostly, as I have said, going elsewhere.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading To-day they are persons not knowing, as who should say, where they are, and wishing all the while they were elsewhere--and mostly, as I have said, going elsewhere.
askverbUS /æsk/
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
awareadjectiveUS /əˈwer/
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Servants would be persons knowing that for a certain period certain tasks were imposed on them, tasks tantamount to those in which all their coevals were simultaneously engaged.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I wish I could find another; but in writing one must be more explicit than one need be by word of mouth.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I wish I could find another; but in writing one must be more explicit than one need be by word of mouth.
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Servants would be persons knowing that for a certain period certain tasks were imposed on them, tasks tantamount to those in which all their coevals were simultaneously engaged.
coevalsnoun
all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading Servants would be persons knowing that for a certain period certain tasks were imposed on them, tasks tantamount to those in which all their coevals were simultaneously engaged.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I wish I could find another; but in writing one must be more explicit than one need be by word of mouth.
defectsnounUS /ˈdiːfekts/
plural of “defect” — an imperfection in a bodily system
From this reading Those who remain grow more and more touchy, knowing themselves a mock to the rest; and their qualms, even more uncomfortably than their demands and defects, are always haunting their employers.
demandsnounUS /dɪˈmændz/
plural of “demand” — an urgent or peremptory request
From this reading Those who remain grow more and more touchy, knowing themselves a mock to the rest; and their qualms, even more uncomfortably than their demands and defects, are always haunting their employers.
elsewhereadverbUS /ˈelswer/
in or to another place
From this reading To-day they are persons not knowing, as who should say, where they are, and wishing all the while they were elsewhere--and mostly, as I have said, going elsewhere.
employersnounUS /emˈplɔɪərz/
plural of “employer” — a person or firm that employs workers
From this reading Those who remain grow more and more touchy, knowing themselves a mock to the rest; and their qualms, even more uncomfortably than their demands and defects, are always haunting their employers.
engagedadjectiveUS /enˈɡeɪdʒd/
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading Servants would be persons knowing that for a certain period certain tasks were imposed on them, tasks tantamount to those in which all their coevals were simultaneously engaged.
essaynounUS /eˈseɪ/
an analytic or interpretive literary composition
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading Those who remain grow more and more touchy, knowing themselves a mock to the rest; and their qualms, even more uncomfortably than their demands and defects, are always haunting their employers.
explicitadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsplɪsət/
precisely and clearly expressed or readily observable; leaving nothing to implication
From this reading I wish I could find another; but in writing one must be more explicit than one need be by word of mouth.
findverbUS /faɪnd/
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading I wish I could find another; but in writing one must be more explicit than one need be by word of mouth.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Servants would be persons knowing that for a certain period certain tasks were imposed on them, tasks tantamount to those in which all their coevals were simultaneously engaged.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/
the act of departing
From this reading To-day they are persons not knowing, as who should say, where they are, and wishing all the while they were elsewhere--and mostly, as I have said, going elsewhere.
growverbUS /ɡroʊ/
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Those who remain grow more and more touchy, knowing themselves a mock to the rest; and their qualms, even more uncomfortably than their demands and defects, are always haunting their employers.
hauntingadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːntɪŋ/
continually recurring to the mind
From this reading Those who remain grow more and more touchy, knowing themselves a mock to the rest; and their qualms, even more uncomfortably than their demands and defects, are always haunting their employers.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading To-day they are persons not knowing, as who should say, where they are, and wishing all the while they were elsewhere--and mostly, as I have said, going elsewhere.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading To-day they are persons not knowing, as who should say, where they are, and wishing all the while they were elsewhere--and mostly, as I have said, going elsewhere.
imposedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpoʊzd/
set forth authoritatively as obligatory
From this reading Servants would be persons knowing that for a certain period certain tasks were imposed on them, tasks tantamount to those in which all their coevals were simultaneously engaged.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Servants would be persons knowing that for a certain period certain tasks were imposed on them, tasks tantamount to those in which all their coevals were simultaneously engaged.
incredibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkredəbəl/
beyond belief or understanding
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
jarsnounUS /dʒɑːrz/
Wide-mouthed cylindrical containers made of clay or glass, used for storing goods.
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
knowingadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊɪŋ/
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading Servants would be persons knowing that for a certain period certain tasks were imposed on them, tasks tantamount to those in which all their coevals were simultaneously engaged.
masternounUS /ˈmæstər/
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
mistressnounUS /ˈmɪstrəs/
an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
mockverbUS /mɑːk/
treat with contempt
From this reading Those who remain grow more and more touchy, knowing themselves a mock to the rest; and their qualms, even more uncomfortably than their demands and defects, are always haunting their employers.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Those who remain grow more and more touchy, knowing themselves a mock to the rest; and their qualms, even more uncomfortably than their demands and defects, are always haunting their employers.
mostlyadverbUS /ˈmoʊstli/
in large part; mainly or chiefly
From this reading To-day they are persons not knowing, as who should say, where they are, and wishing all the while they were elsewhere--and mostly, as I have said, going elsewhere.
mouthnounUS /maʊθ/
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading I wish I could find another; but in writing one must be more explicit than one need be by word of mouth.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading I wish I could find another; but in writing one must be more explicit than one need be by word of mouth.
neednounUS /niːd/
a condition requiring relief
From this reading I wish I could find another; but in writing one must be more explicit than one need be by word of mouth.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading To-day they are persons not knowing, as who should say, where they are, and wishing all the while they were elsewhere--and mostly, as I have said, going elsewhere.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Servants would be persons knowing that for a certain period certain tasks were imposed on them, tasks tantamount to those in which all their coevals were simultaneously engaged.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I wish I could find another; but in writing one must be more explicit than one need be by word of mouth.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
periodnounUS /ˈpɪriəd/
an amount of time
From this reading Servants would be persons knowing that for a certain period certain tasks were imposed on them, tasks tantamount to those in which all their coevals were simultaneously engaged.
personsnounUS /ˈpɜːrsənz/
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading Servants would be persons knowing that for a certain period certain tasks were imposed on them, tasks tantamount to those in which all their coevals were simultaneously engaged.
qualmsnounUS /kwɑːmz/
plural of “qualm” — uneasiness about the fitness of an action
From this reading Those who remain grow more and more touchy, knowing themselves a mock to the rest; and their qualms, even more uncomfortably than their demands and defects, are always haunting their employers.
remainverbUS /rɪˈmeɪn/
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Those who remain grow more and more touchy, knowing themselves a mock to the rest; and their qualms, even more uncomfortably than their demands and defects, are always haunting their employers.
restverbUS /rest/
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Those who remain grow more and more touchy, knowing themselves a mock to the rest; and their qualms, even more uncomfortably than their demands and defects, are always haunting their employers.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading To-day they are persons not knowing, as who should say, where they are, and wishing all the while they were elsewhere--and mostly, as I have said, going elsewhere.
SarahnounUS /ˈserə/
(Old Testament) the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading To-day they are persons not knowing, as who should say, where they are, and wishing all the while they were elsewhere--and mostly, as I have said, going elsewhere.
seemsverbUS /siːmz/
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
ServantsnounUS /ˈsɜːrvənts/
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading Servants would be persons knowing that for a certain period certain tasks were imposed on them, tasks tantamount to those in which all their coevals were simultaneously engaged.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading To-day they are persons not knowing, as who should say, where they are, and wishing all the while they were elsewhere--and mostly, as I have said, going elsewhere.
simultaneouslyadverbUS /ˌsaɪməlˈteɪniəsli/
at the same instant
From this reading Servants would be persons knowing that for a certain period certain tasks were imposed on them, tasks tantamount to those in which all their coevals were simultaneously engaged.
SmithnounUS /smɪθ/
Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
tantamountadjectiveUS /ˈtæntəmaʊnt/
being essentially equal to something
From this reading Servants would be persons knowing that for a certain period certain tasks were imposed on them, tasks tantamount to those in which all their coevals were simultaneously engaged.
tasksnounUS /tæsks/
plural of “task” — any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading Servants would be persons knowing that for a certain period certain tasks were imposed on them, tasks tantamount to those in which all their coevals were simultaneously engaged.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Those who remain grow more and more touchy, knowing themselves a mock to the rest; and their qualms, even more uncomfortably than their demands and defects, are always haunting their employers.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Servants would be persons knowing that for a certain period certain tasks were imposed on them, tasks tantamount to those in which all their coevals were simultaneously engaged.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading To-day they are persons not knowing, as who should say, where they are, and wishing all the while they were elsewhere--and mostly, as I have said, going elsewhere.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Servants would be persons knowing that for a certain period certain tasks were imposed on them, tasks tantamount to those in which all their coevals were simultaneously engaged.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Servants would be persons knowing that for a certain period certain tasks were imposed on them, tasks tantamount to those in which all their coevals were simultaneously engaged.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Those who remain grow more and more touchy, knowing themselves a mock to the rest; and their qualms, even more uncomfortably than their demands and defects, are always haunting their employers.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To-day they are persons not knowing, as who should say, where they are, and wishing all the while they were elsewhere--and mostly, as I have said, going elsewhere.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Servants would be persons knowing that for a certain period certain tasks were imposed on them, tasks tantamount to those in which all their coevals were simultaneously engaged.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
titlenounUS /ˈtaɪtəl/
a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Servants would be persons knowing that for a certain period certain tasks were imposed on them, tasks tantamount to those in which all their coevals were simultaneously engaged.
To-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day they are persons not knowing, as who should say, where they are, and wishing all the while they were elsewhere--and mostly, as I have said, going elsewhere.
touchyadjectiveUS /ˈtʌtʃi/
quick to take offense
From this reading Those who remain grow more and more touchy, knowing themselves a mock to the rest; and their qualms, even more uncomfortably than their demands and defects, are always haunting their employers.
uncomfortablyadverbUS /ənˈkʌmfərtəbli/
in physical discomfort
From this reading Those who remain grow more and more touchy, knowing themselves a mock to the rest; and their qualms, even more uncomfortably than their demands and defects, are always haunting their employers.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Servants would be persons knowing that for a certain period certain tasks were imposed on them, tasks tantamount to those in which all their coevals were simultaneously engaged.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading To-day they are persons not knowing, as who should say, where they are, and wishing all the while they were elsewhere--and mostly, as I have said, going elsewhere.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Servants would be persons knowing that for a certain period certain tasks were imposed on them, tasks tantamount to those in which all their coevals were simultaneously engaged.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading To-day they are persons not knowing, as who should say, where they are, and wishing all the while they were elsewhere--and mostly, as I have said, going elsewhere.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading To-day they are persons not knowing, as who should say, where they are, and wishing all the while they were elsewhere--and mostly, as I have said, going elsewhere.
wishverbUS /wɪʃ/
hope for; have a wish
From this reading I wish I could find another; but in writing one must be more explicit than one need be by word of mouth.
wishesnounUS /ˈwɪʃɪz/
plural of “wish” — a specific feeling of desire
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
wishingnounUS /ˈwɪʃɪŋ/
a specific feeling of desire
From this reading To-day they are persons not knowing, as who should say, where they are, and wishing all the while they were elsewhere--and mostly, as I have said, going elsewhere.
wordnounUS /wɜːrd/
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading I wish I could find another; but in writing one must be more explicit than one need be by word of mouth.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Servants would be persons knowing that for a certain period certain tasks were imposed on them, tasks tantamount to those in which all their coevals were simultaneously engaged.
writingnounUS /ˈraɪtɪŋ/
the act of creating written works
From this reading I wish I could find another; but in writing one must be more explicit than one need be by word of mouth.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading It seems almost incredible that there was a time when Mrs. Smith said ‘Sarah, your master wishes--’ or Mr. Smith said ‘Sarah, go up and ask your mistress whether--’ I am well aware that the very title of this essay jars.
