adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was first taught to read English by Dame Oliver, a widow, who kept a school for young children in Lichfield.
addingverbUS /ˈædɪŋ/
-ing form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading He delighted in mentioning this early compliment: adding, with a smile, that 'this was as high a proof of his merit as he could conceive.'
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He told me she could read the black letter, and asked him to borrow for her, from his father, a bible in that character.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He delighted in mentioning this early compliment: adding, with a smile, that 'this was as high a proof of his merit as he could conceive.'
askedverbUS /æskt/
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading He told me she could read the black letter, and asked him to borrow for her, from his father, a bible in that character.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading His next instructor in English was a master, whom, when he spoke of him to me, he familiarly called Tom Brown, who, said he, 'published a spelling-book, and dedicated it to the UNIVERSE; but, I fear, no copy of it can now be had.'
bestnounUS /best/
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading When he was going to Oxford, she came to take leave of him, brought him, in the simplicity of her kindness, a present of gingerbread, and said, he was the best scholar she ever had.
biblenounUS /ˈbaɪbəl/
the sacred writings of the Christian religions
From this reading He told me she could read the black letter, and asked him to borrow for her, from his father, a bible in that character.
blackadjectiveUS /blæk/
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading He told me she could read the black letter, and asked him to borrow for her, from his father, a bible in that character.
borrowverbUS /ˈbɑːroʊ/
get temporarily
From this reading He told me she could read the black letter, and asked him to borrow for her, from his father, a bible in that character.
broughtverbUS /brɔːt/
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading When he was going to Oxford, she came to take leave of him, brought him, in the simplicity of her kindness, a present of gingerbread, and said, he was the best scholar she ever had.
BrownnounUS /braʊn/
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading His next instructor in English was a master, whom, when he spoke of him to me, he familiarly called Tom Brown, who, said he, 'published a spelling-book, and dedicated it to the UNIVERSE; but, I fear, no copy of it can now be had.'
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His next instructor in English was a master, whom, when he spoke of him to me, he familiarly called Tom Brown, who, said he, 'published a spelling-book, and dedicated it to the UNIVERSE; but, I fear, no copy of it can now be had.'
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He was first taught to read English by Dame Oliver, a widow, who kept a school for young children in Lichfield.
calledverbUS /kɔːld/
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading His next instructor in English was a master, whom, when he spoke of him to me, he familiarly called Tom Brown, who, said he, 'published a spelling-book, and dedicated it to the UNIVERSE; but, I fear, no copy of it can now be had.'
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading When he was going to Oxford, she came to take leave of him, brought him, in the simplicity of her kindness, a present of gingerbread, and said, he was the best scholar she ever had.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading His next instructor in English was a master, whom, when he spoke of him to me, he familiarly called Tom Brown, who, said he, 'published a spelling-book, and dedicated it to the UNIVERSE; but, I fear, no copy of it can now be had.'
characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading He told me she could read the black letter, and asked him to borrow for her, from his father, a bible in that character.
childrennounUS /ˈtʃɪldrən/
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading He was first taught to read English by Dame Oliver, a widow, who kept a school for young children in Lichfield.
complimentverbUS /ˈkɑːmpləment/
say something to someone that expresses praise
From this reading He delighted in mentioning this early compliment: adding, with a smile, that 'this was as high a proof of his merit as he could conceive.'
conceiveverbUS /kənˈsiːv/
have the idea for
From this reading He delighted in mentioning this early compliment: adding, with a smile, that 'this was as high a proof of his merit as he could conceive.'
copynounUS /ˈkɑːpi/
a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)
From this reading His next instructor in English was a master, whom, when he spoke of him to me, he familiarly called Tom Brown, who, said he, 'published a spelling-book, and dedicated it to the UNIVERSE; but, I fear, no copy of it can now be had.'
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He told me she could read the black letter, and asked him to borrow for her, from his father, a bible in that character.
DamenounUS /deɪm/
informal terms for a (young) woman
From this reading He was first taught to read English by Dame Oliver, a widow, who kept a school for young children in Lichfield.
dedicatedadjectiveUS /ˈdedəkeɪtəd/
devoted to a cause or ideal or purpose
From this reading His next instructor in English was a master, whom, when he spoke of him to me, he familiarly called Tom Brown, who, said he, 'published a spelling-book, and dedicated it to the UNIVERSE; but, I fear, no copy of it can now be had.'
delightedadjectiveUS /dɪˈlaɪtəd/
greatly pleased
From this reading He delighted in mentioning this early compliment: adding, with a smile, that 'this was as high a proof of his merit as he could conceive.'
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading He delighted in mentioning this early compliment: adding, with a smile, that 'this was as high a proof of his merit as he could conceive.'
EnglishnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading He was first taught to read English by Dame Oliver, a widow, who kept a school for young children in Lichfield.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading When he was going to Oxford, she came to take leave of him, brought him, in the simplicity of her kindness, a present of gingerbread, and said, he was the best scholar she ever had.
familiarlyadverb
in an intimately familiar manner
From this reading His next instructor in English was a master, whom, when he spoke of him to me, he familiarly called Tom Brown, who, said he, 'published a spelling-book, and dedicated it to the UNIVERSE; but, I fear, no copy of it can now be had.'
fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading He told me she could read the black letter, and asked him to borrow for her, from his father, a bible in that character.
fearverbUS /fɪr/
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading His next instructor in English was a master, whom, when he spoke of him to me, he familiarly called Tom Brown, who, said he, 'published a spelling-book, and dedicated it to the UNIVERSE; but, I fear, no copy of it can now be had.'
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He was first taught to read English by Dame Oliver, a widow, who kept a school for young children in Lichfield.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was first taught to read English by Dame Oliver, a widow, who kept a school for young children in Lichfield.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He told me she could read the black letter, and asked him to borrow for her, from his father, a bible in that character.
gingerbreadnounUS /ˈdʒɪndʒərbred/
cake flavored with ginger
From this reading When he was going to Oxford, she came to take leave of him, brought him, in the simplicity of her kindness, a present of gingerbread, and said, he was the best scholar she ever had.
goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/
the act of departing
From this reading When he was going to Oxford, she came to take leave of him, brought him, in the simplicity of her kindness, a present of gingerbread, and said, he was the best scholar she ever had.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When he was going to Oxford, she came to take leave of him, brought him, in the simplicity of her kindness, a present of gingerbread, and said, he was the best scholar she ever had.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was first taught to read English by Dame Oliver, a widow, who kept a school for young children in Lichfield.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He told me she could read the black letter, and asked him to borrow for her, from his father, a bible in that character.
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading He delighted in mentioning this early compliment: adding, with a smile, that 'this was as high a proof of his merit as he could conceive.'
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He told me she could read the black letter, and asked him to borrow for her, from his father, a bible in that character.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He told me she could read the black letter, and asked him to borrow for her, from his father, a bible in that character.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading His next instructor in English was a master, whom, when he spoke of him to me, he familiarly called Tom Brown, who, said he, 'published a spelling-book, and dedicated it to the UNIVERSE; but, I fear, no copy of it can now be had.'
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was first taught to read English by Dame Oliver, a widow, who kept a school for young children in Lichfield.
instructornounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌktər/
a person whose occupation is teaching
From this reading His next instructor in English was a master, whom, when he spoke of him to me, he familiarly called Tom Brown, who, said he, 'published a spelling-book, and dedicated it to the UNIVERSE; but, I fear, no copy of it can now be had.'
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His next instructor in English was a master, whom, when he spoke of him to me, he familiarly called Tom Brown, who, said he, 'published a spelling-book, and dedicated it to the UNIVERSE; but, I fear, no copy of it can now be had.'
keptadjectiveUS /kept/
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading He was first taught to read English by Dame Oliver, a widow, who kept a school for young children in Lichfield.
kindnessnounUS /ˈkaɪndnəs/
the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic
From this reading When he was going to Oxford, she came to take leave of him, brought him, in the simplicity of her kindness, a present of gingerbread, and said, he was the best scholar she ever had.
leaveverbUS /liːv/
go away from a place
From this reading When he was going to Oxford, she came to take leave of him, brought him, in the simplicity of her kindness, a present of gingerbread, and said, he was the best scholar she ever had.
letternounUS /ˈletər/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading He told me she could read the black letter, and asked him to borrow for her, from his father, a bible in that character.
Lichfield
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was first taught to read English by Dame Oliver, a widow, who kept a school for young children in Lichfield.
masternounUS /ˈmæstər/
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading His next instructor in English was a master, whom, when he spoke of him to me, he familiarly called Tom Brown, who, said he, 'published a spelling-book, and dedicated it to the UNIVERSE; but, I fear, no copy of it can now be had.'
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He told me she could read the black letter, and asked him to borrow for her, from his father, a bible in that character.
mentioningverbUS /ˈmenʃənɪŋ/
-ing form of “mention” — make reference to
From this reading He delighted in mentioning this early compliment: adding, with a smile, that 'this was as high a proof of his merit as he could conceive.'
meritnounUS /ˈmerət/
any admirable quality or attribute
From this reading He delighted in mentioning this early compliment: adding, with a smile, that 'this was as high a proof of his merit as he could conceive.'
nextadjectiveUS /nekst/
immediately following in time or order
From this reading His next instructor in English was a master, whom, when he spoke of him to me, he familiarly called Tom Brown, who, said he, 'published a spelling-book, and dedicated it to the UNIVERSE; but, I fear, no copy of it can now be had.'
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading His next instructor in English was a master, whom, when he spoke of him to me, he familiarly called Tom Brown, who, said he, 'published a spelling-book, and dedicated it to the UNIVERSE; but, I fear, no copy of it can now be had.'
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading His next instructor in English was a master, whom, when he spoke of him to me, he familiarly called Tom Brown, who, said he, 'published a spelling-book, and dedicated it to the UNIVERSE; but, I fear, no copy of it can now be had.'
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When he was going to Oxford, she came to take leave of him, brought him, in the simplicity of her kindness, a present of gingerbread, and said, he was the best scholar she ever had.
OlivernounUS /ˈɑːləvər/
United States jazz musician who influenced the style of Louis Armstrong (1885-1938)
From this reading He was first taught to read English by Dame Oliver, a widow, who kept a school for young children in Lichfield.
OxfordnounUS /ˈɑːksfərd/
a city in southern England to the northwest of London; site of Oxford University
From this reading When he was going to Oxford, she came to take leave of him, brought him, in the simplicity of her kindness, a present of gingerbread, and said, he was the best scholar she ever had.
presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading When he was going to Oxford, she came to take leave of him, brought him, in the simplicity of her kindness, a present of gingerbread, and said, he was the best scholar she ever had.
proofnounUS /pruːf/
any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
From this reading He delighted in mentioning this early compliment: adding, with a smile, that 'this was as high a proof of his merit as he could conceive.'
publishedadjectiveUS /ˈpʌblɪʃt/
prepared and printed for distribution and sale
From this reading His next instructor in English was a master, whom, when he spoke of him to me, he familiarly called Tom Brown, who, said he, 'published a spelling-book, and dedicated it to the UNIVERSE; but, I fear, no copy of it can now be had.'
readverbUS /red/
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading He was first taught to read English by Dame Oliver, a widow, who kept a school for young children in Lichfield.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading When he was going to Oxford, she came to take leave of him, brought him, in the simplicity of her kindness, a present of gingerbread, and said, he was the best scholar she ever had.
scholarnounUS /ˈskɒl.ər/
A specialist in a particular branch of study; a distinguished student.
From this reading When he was going to Oxford, she came to take leave of him, brought him, in the simplicity of her kindness, a present of gingerbread, and said, he was the best scholar she ever had.
schoolnounUS /skuːl/
an educational institution
From this reading He was first taught to read English by Dame Oliver, a widow, who kept a school for young children in Lichfield.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He told me she could read the black letter, and asked him to borrow for her, from his father, a bible in that character.
simplicitynounUS /sɪmˈplɪsəti/
the quality of being simple or uncompounded
From this reading When he was going to Oxford, she came to take leave of him, brought him, in the simplicity of her kindness, a present of gingerbread, and said, he was the best scholar she ever had.
smileverbUS /smaɪl/
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading He delighted in mentioning this early compliment: adding, with a smile, that 'this was as high a proof of his merit as he could conceive.'
spelling-book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His next instructor in English was a master, whom, when he spoke of him to me, he familiarly called Tom Brown, who, said he, 'published a spelling-book, and dedicated it to the UNIVERSE; but, I fear, no copy of it can now be had.'
spokenounUS /spoʊk/
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading His next instructor in English was a master, whom, when he spoke of him to me, he familiarly called Tom Brown, who, said he, 'published a spelling-book, and dedicated it to the UNIVERSE; but, I fear, no copy of it can now be had.'
takeverbUS /teɪk/
carry out
From this reading When he was going to Oxford, she came to take leave of him, brought him, in the simplicity of her kindness, a present of gingerbread, and said, he was the best scholar she ever had.
taughtverbUS /tɔːt/
inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading He was first taught to read English by Dame Oliver, a widow, who kept a school for young children in Lichfield.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He told me she could read the black letter, and asked him to borrow for her, from his father, a bible in that character.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He told me she could read the black letter, and asked him to borrow for her, from his father, a bible in that character.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He delighted in mentioning this early compliment: adding, with a smile, that 'this was as high a proof of his merit as he could conceive.'
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was first taught to read English by Dame Oliver, a widow, who kept a school for young children in Lichfield.
toldverbUS /toʊld/
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading He told me she could read the black letter, and asked him to borrow for her, from his father, a bible in that character.
TomnounUS /tɑːm/
male cat
From this reading His next instructor in English was a master, whom, when he spoke of him to me, he familiarly called Tom Brown, who, said he, 'published a spelling-book, and dedicated it to the UNIVERSE; but, I fear, no copy of it can now be had.'
UNIVERSEnounUS /ˈjuːnəvɜːrs/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading His next instructor in English was a master, whom, when he spoke of him to me, he familiarly called Tom Brown, who, said he, 'published a spelling-book, and dedicated it to the UNIVERSE; but, I fear, no copy of it can now be had.'
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was first taught to read English by Dame Oliver, a widow, who kept a school for young children in Lichfield.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When he was going to Oxford, she came to take leave of him, brought him, in the simplicity of her kindness, a present of gingerbread, and said, he was the best scholar she ever had.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He was first taught to read English by Dame Oliver, a widow, who kept a school for young children in Lichfield.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His next instructor in English was a master, whom, when he spoke of him to me, he familiarly called Tom Brown, who, said he, 'published a spelling-book, and dedicated it to the UNIVERSE; but, I fear, no copy of it can now be had.'
widownounUS /ˈwɪdoʊ/
a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading He was first taught to read English by Dame Oliver, a widow, who kept a school for young children in Lichfield.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He delighted in mentioning this early compliment: adding, with a smile, that 'this was as high a proof of his merit as he could conceive.'
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading He was first taught to read English by Dame Oliver, a widow, who kept a school for young children in Lichfield.
