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 There is, in short, what is called a "line of holiday goods," fitting, it may be supposed, the periodic line of charity.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shrewd manufacturers of the world have taken notice of the periodic generosity of the race, and ingeniously produce articles to serve it, that is, to anticipate the taste and to thwart all individuality or spontaneity in it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The shrewd manufacturers of the world have taken notice of the periodic generosity of the race, and ingeniously produce articles to serve it, that is, to anticipate the taste and to thwart all individuality or spontaneity in it.
anticipate
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From this reading The shrewd manufacturers of the world have taken notice of the periodic generosity of the race, and ingeniously produce articles to serve it, that is, to anticipate the taste and to thwart all individuality or spontaneity in it.
apt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When a person receives some of these things in the blessed season of such, he is apt to be puzzled.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
articles
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From this reading The shrewd manufacturers of the world have taken notice of the periodic generosity of the race, and ingeniously produce articles to serve it, that is, to anticipate the taste and to thwart all individuality or spontaneity in it.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There is, in short, what is called a "line of holiday goods," fitting, it may be supposed, the periodic line of charity.
blessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When a person receives some of these things in the blessed season of such, he is apt to be puzzled.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
charity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is, in short, what is called a "line of holiday goods," fitting, it may be supposed, the periodic line of charity.
Christmas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
commercially
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
confining
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From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He wants to know what they are for, what he is to do with them.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
estimate
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From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
fitting
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From this reading There is, in short, what is called a "line of holiday goods," fitting, it may be supposed, the periodic line of charity.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He wants to know what they are for, what he is to do with them.
generosity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shrewd manufacturers of the world have taken notice of the periodic generosity of the race, and ingeniously produce articles to serve it, that is, to anticipate the taste and to thwart all individuality or spontaneity in it.
gifts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
giving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
goods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is, in short, what is called a "line of holiday goods," fitting, it may be supposed, the periodic line of charity.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The shrewd manufacturers of the world have taken notice of the periodic generosity of the race, and ingeniously produce articles to serve it, that is, to anticipate the taste and to thwart all individuality or spontaneity in it.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When a person receives some of these things in the blessed season of such, he is apt to be puzzled.
holiday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is, in short, what is called a "line of holiday goods," fitting, it may be supposed, the periodic line of charity.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
individuality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shrewd manufacturers of the world have taken notice of the periodic generosity of the race, and ingeniously produce articles to serve it, that is, to anticipate the taste and to thwart all individuality or spontaneity in it.
ingeniously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shrewd manufacturers of the world have taken notice of the periodic generosity of the race, and ingeniously produce articles to serve it, that is, to anticipate the taste and to thwart all individuality or spontaneity in it.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The shrewd manufacturers of the world have taken notice of the periodic generosity of the race, and ingeniously produce articles to serve it, that is, to anticipate the taste and to thwart all individuality or spontaneity in it.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He wants to know what they are for, what he is to do with them.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is, in short, what is called a "line of holiday goods," fitting, it may be supposed, the periodic line of charity.
manufacturers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shrewd manufacturers of the world have taken notice of the periodic generosity of the race, and ingeniously produce articles to serve it, that is, to anticipate the taste and to thwart all individuality or spontaneity in it.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading There is, in short, what is called a "line of holiday goods," fitting, it may be supposed, the periodic line of charity.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
notice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shrewd manufacturers of the world have taken notice of the periodic generosity of the race, and ingeniously produce articles to serve it, that is, to anticipate the taste and to thwart all individuality or spontaneity in it.
OfprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
periodic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shrewd manufacturers of the world have taken notice of the periodic generosity of the race, and ingeniously produce articles to serve it, that is, to anticipate the taste and to thwart all individuality or spontaneity in it.
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When a person receives some of these things in the blessed season of such, he is apt to be puzzled.
pleasure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
produce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shrewd manufacturers of the world have taken notice of the periodic generosity of the race, and ingeniously produce articles to serve it, that is, to anticipate the taste and to thwart all individuality or spontaneity in it.
puzzled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When a person receives some of these things in the blessed season of such, he is apt to be puzzled.
race
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From this reading The shrewd manufacturers of the world have taken notice of the periodic generosity of the race, and ingeniously produce articles to serve it, that is, to anticipate the taste and to thwart all individuality or spontaneity in it.
receives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When a person receives some of these things in the blessed season of such, he is apt to be puzzled.
receiving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
remarks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
season
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When a person receives some of these things in the blessed season of such, he is apt to be puzzled.
serve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shrewd manufacturers of the world have taken notice of the periodic generosity of the race, and ingeniously produce articles to serve it, that is, to anticipate the taste and to thwart all individuality or spontaneity in it.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading There is, in short, what is called a "line of holiday goods," fitting, it may be supposed, the periodic line of charity.
shrewd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shrewd manufacturers of the world have taken notice of the periodic generosity of the race, and ingeniously produce articles to serve it, that is, to anticipate the taste and to thwart all individuality or spontaneity in it.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When a person receives some of these things in the blessed season of such, he is apt to be puzzled.
spontaneity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shrewd manufacturers of the world have taken notice of the periodic generosity of the race, and ingeniously produce articles to serve it, that is, to anticipate the taste and to thwart all individuality or spontaneity in it.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading When a person receives some of these things in the blessed season of such, he is apt to be puzzled.
supposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is, in short, what is called a "line of holiday goods," fitting, it may be supposed, the periodic line of charity.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shrewd manufacturers of the world have taken notice of the periodic generosity of the race, and ingeniously produce articles to serve it, that is, to anticipate the taste and to thwart all individuality or spontaneity in it.
tasteverbUS /teɪst/
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading The shrewd manufacturers of the world have taken notice of the periodic generosity of the race, and ingeniously produce articles to serve it, that is, to anticipate the taste and to thwart all individuality or spontaneity in it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The shrewd manufacturers of the world have taken notice of the periodic generosity of the race, and ingeniously produce articles to serve it, that is, to anticipate the taste and to thwart all individuality or spontaneity in it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He wants to know what they are for, what he is to do with them.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He wants to know what they are for, what he is to do with them.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When a person receives some of these things in the blessed season of such, he is apt to be puzzled.
thwartnounUS /θwɔːrt/
a seat across a small boat for a rower
From this reading The shrewd manufacturers of the world have taken notice of the periodic generosity of the race, and ingeniously produce articles to serve it, that is, to anticipate the taste and to thwart all individuality or spontaneity in it.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
undertake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
wants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wants to know what they are for, what he is to do with them.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When a person receives some of these things in the blessed season of such, he is apt to be puzzled.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He wants to know what they are for, what he is to do with them.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shrewd manufacturers of the world have taken notice of the periodic generosity of the race, and ingeniously produce articles to serve it, that is, to anticipate the taste and to thwart all individuality or spontaneity in it.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Of course we are not confining our remarks to what are called Christmas gifts--commercially so called--nor would we undertake to estimate the pleasure there is in either receiving or giving these.
