adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But it was not much of a task to Diamond, for his father took for his lesson-book those very rhymes his mother had picked up on the sea-shore; and as Diamond was not beginning too soon, he learned very fast indeed.
ableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪbəl/
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Within a month he was able to spell out most of the verses for himself.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He had looked through and through the book several times after he knew the letters and a few words, fancying he could tell the look of it, but had always failed to find one more like it than another.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading He had looked through and through the book several times after he knew the letters and a few words, fancying he could tell the look of it, but had always failed to find one more like it than another.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading He had looked through and through the book several times after he knew the letters and a few words, fancying he could tell the look of it, but had always failed to find one more like it than another.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
beddedadjectiveUS /ˈbedɪd/
deposited or arranged in horizontal layers
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
beginningnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading But it was not much of a task to Diamond, for his father took for his lesson-book those very rhymes his mother had picked up on the sea-shore; and as Diamond was not beginning too soon, he learned very fast indeed.
booknounUS /bʊk/
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading He had looked through and through the book several times after he knew the letters and a few words, fancying he could tell the look of it, but had always failed to find one more like it than another.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it was not much of a task to Diamond, for his father took for his lesson-book those very rhymes his mother had picked up on the sea-shore; and as Diamond was not beginning too soon, he learned very fast indeed.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But he had never come upon the poem he thought he had heard his mother read from it that day.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading But he had never come upon the poem he thought he had heard his mother read from it that day.
DiamondnounUS /ˈdaɪmənd/
a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
failedverbUS /feɪld/
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading He had looked through and through the book several times after he knew the letters and a few words, fancying he could tell the look of it, but had always failed to find one more like it than another.
fancying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had looked through and through the book several times after he knew the letters and a few words, fancying he could tell the look of it, but had always failed to find one more like it than another.
fastadverbUS /fæst/
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading But it was not much of a task to Diamond, for his father took for his lesson-book those very rhymes his mother had picked up on the sea-shore; and as Diamond was not beginning too soon, he learned very fast indeed.
fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading He had looked through and through the book several times after he knew the letters and a few words, fancying he could tell the look of it, but had always failed to find one more like it than another.
findverbUS /faɪnd/
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading He had looked through and through the book several times after he knew the letters and a few words, fancying he could tell the look of it, but had always failed to find one more like it than another.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But it was not much of a task to Diamond, for his father took for his lesson-book those very rhymes his mother had picked up on the sea-shore; and as Diamond was not beginning too soon, he learned very fast indeed.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But he had never come upon the poem he thought he had heard his mother read from it that day.
gentlemannounUS /ˈdʒentəlmən/
a man of refinement
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But it was not much of a task to Diamond, for his father took for his lesson-book those very rhymes his mother had picked up on the sea-shore; and as Diamond was not beginning too soon, he learned very fast indeed.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading But he had never come upon the poem he thought he had heard his mother read from it that day.
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Within a month he was able to spell out most of the verses for himself.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading But it was not much of a task to Diamond, for his father took for his lesson-book those very rhymes his mother had picked up on the sea-shore; and as Diamond was not beginning too soon, he learned very fast indeed.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
knewverbUS /nuː/
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He had looked through and through the book several times after he knew the letters and a few words, fancying he could tell the look of it, but had always failed to find one more like it than another.
learnedadjectiveUS /lɜːrnd/
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading But it was not much of a task to Diamond, for his father took for his lesson-book those very rhymes his mother had picked up on the sea-shore; and as Diamond was not beginning too soon, he learned very fast indeed.
lesson-book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was not much of a task to Diamond, for his father took for his lesson-book those very rhymes his mother had picked up on the sea-shore; and as Diamond was not beginning too soon, he learned very fast indeed.
lettersnounUS /ˈletərz/
the literary culture
From this reading He had looked through and through the book several times after he knew the letters and a few words, fancying he could tell the look of it, but had always failed to find one more like it than another.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He had looked through and through the book several times after he knew the letters and a few words, fancying he could tell the look of it, but had always failed to find one more like it than another.
lookverbUS /lʊk/
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He had looked through and through the book several times after he knew the letters and a few words, fancying he could tell the look of it, but had always failed to find one more like it than another.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He had looked through and through the book several times after he knew the letters and a few words, fancying he could tell the look of it, but had always failed to find one more like it than another.
monthnounUS /mʌnθ/
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Within a month he was able to spell out most of the verses for himself.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He had looked through and through the book several times after he knew the letters and a few words, fancying he could tell the look of it, but had always failed to find one more like it than another.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading Within a month he was able to spell out most of the verses for himself.
mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading But it was not much of a task to Diamond, for his father took for his lesson-book those very rhymes his mother had picked up on the sea-shore; and as Diamond was not beginning too soon, he learned very fast indeed.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading But it was not much of a task to Diamond, for his father took for his lesson-book those very rhymes his mother had picked up on the sea-shore; and as Diamond was not beginning too soon, he learned very fast indeed.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading But he had never come upon the poem he thought he had heard his mother read from it that day.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But it was not much of a task to Diamond, for his father took for his lesson-book those very rhymes his mother had picked up on the sea-shore; and as Diamond was not beginning too soon, he learned very fast indeed.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had looked through and through the book several times after he knew the letters and a few words, fancying he could tell the look of it, but had always failed to find one more like it than another.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Within a month he was able to spell out most of the verses for himself.
pickedverbUS /pɪkt/
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading But it was not much of a task to Diamond, for his father took for his lesson-book those very rhymes his mother had picked up on the sea-shore; and as Diamond was not beginning too soon, he learned very fast indeed.
poemnounUS /ˈpoʊəm/
a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
From this reading But he had never come upon the poem he thought he had heard his mother read from it that day.
questionverbUS /ˈkwestʃən/
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
readverbUS /red/
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
rhymesnounUS /raɪmz/
plural of “rhyme” — correspondence in the sounds of two or more lines (especially final sounds)
From this reading But it was not much of a task to Diamond, for his father took for his lesson-book those very rhymes his mother had picked up on the sea-shore; and as Diamond was not beginning too soon, he learned very fast indeed.
sea-shore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was not much of a task to Diamond, for his father took for his lesson-book those very rhymes his mother had picked up on the sea-shore; and as Diamond was not beginning too soon, he learned very fast indeed.
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
severaladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading He had looked through and through the book several times after he knew the letters and a few words, fancying he could tell the look of it, but had always failed to find one more like it than another.
soonadverbUS /suːn/
in the near future
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
spellverbUS /spel/
orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of
From this reading Within a month he was able to spell out most of the verses for himself.
suppered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
talladjectiveUS /tɔːl/
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
tasknounUS /tæsk/
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
tellverbUS /tel/
express in words
From this reading He had looked through and through the book several times after he knew the letters and a few words, fancying he could tell the look of it, but had always failed to find one more like it than another.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He had looked through and through the book several times after he knew the letters and a few words, fancying he could tell the look of it, but had always failed to find one more like it than another.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
thinkingnounUS /ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading But it was not much of a task to Diamond, for his father took for his lesson-book those very rhymes his mother had picked up on the sea-shore; and as Diamond was not beginning too soon, he learned very fast indeed.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading But he had never come upon the poem he thought he had heard his mother read from it that day.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He had looked through and through the book several times after he knew the letters and a few words, fancying he could tell the look of it, but had always failed to find one more like it than another.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
timesnounUS /taɪmz/
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading He had looked through and through the book several times after he knew the letters and a few words, fancying he could tell the look of it, but had always failed to find one more like it than another.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading But it was not much of a task to Diamond, for his father took for his lesson-book those very rhymes his mother had picked up on the sea-shore; and as Diamond was not beginning too soon, he learned very fast indeed.
tookverbUS /tʊk/
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading But it was not much of a task to Diamond, for his father took for his lesson-book those very rhymes his mother had picked up on the sea-shore; and as Diamond was not beginning too soon, he learned very fast indeed.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But it was not much of a task to Diamond, for his father took for his lesson-book those very rhymes his mother had picked up on the sea-shore; and as Diamond was not beginning too soon, he learned very fast indeed.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But he had never come upon the poem he thought he had heard his mother read from it that day.
versesnounUS /ˈvɜːrsəz/
plural of “verse” — literature in metrical form
From this reading Within a month he was able to spell out most of the verses for himself.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading THE question of the tall gentleman as to whether Diamond could read or not set his father thinking it was high time he could; and as soon as old Diamond was suppered and bedded, he began the task that very night.
WithinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Within a month he was able to spell out most of the verses for himself.
wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/
the words that are spoken
From this reading He had looked through and through the book several times after he knew the letters and a few words, fancying he could tell the look of it, but had always failed to find one more like it than another.
