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 For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
all
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From this reading He occasionally encountered his friend Patsey, who rendered all the assistance he could, but it availed nothing.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Tom went to the morgue, and applied to the police, and, in fact, used every means at his command to learn something.
applied
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From this reading Tom went to the morgue, and applied to the police, and, in fact, used every means at his command to learn something.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
assistance
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From this reading He occasionally encountered his friend Patsey, who rendered all the assistance he could, but it availed nothing.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Tom went to the morgue, and applied to the police, and, in fact, used every means at his command to learn something.
availed
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From this reading He occasionally encountered his friend Patsey, who rendered all the assistance he could, but it availed nothing.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Such being the case, he felt that he was not making a success of his calling, as there was no reserve fund upon which to draw for clothing or other necessities.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
bread
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From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
calling
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From this reading Such being the case, he felt that he was not making a success of his calling, as there was no reserve fund upon which to draw for clothing or other necessities.
case
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From this reading Such being the case, he felt that he was not making a success of his calling, as there was no reserve fund upon which to draw for clothing or other necessities.
city
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From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
clothing
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From this reading Such being the case, he felt that he was not making a success of his calling, as there was no reserve fund upon which to draw for clothing or other necessities.
command
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From this reading Tom went to the morgue, and applied to the police, and, in fact, used every means at his command to learn something.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He occasionally encountered his friend Patsey, who rendered all the assistance he could, but it availed nothing.
daily
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From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
draw
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From this reading Such being the case, he felt that he was not making a success of his calling, as there was no reserve fund upon which to draw for clothing or other necessities.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading The greater portion of a month wore by, during which he never gained the slightest knowledge of the fate of Jim Travers.
earn
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From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
encountered
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From this reading He occasionally encountered his friend Patsey, who rendered all the assistance he could, but it availed nothing.
enough
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From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Tom went to the morgue, and applied to the police, and, in fact, used every means at his command to learn something.
experience
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From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
fact
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From this reading Tom went to the morgue, and applied to the police, and, in fact, used every means at his command to learn something.
fate
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From this reading The greater portion of a month wore by, during which he never gained the slightest knowledge of the fate of Jim Travers.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such being the case, he felt that he was not making a success of his calling, as there was no reserve fund upon which to draw for clothing or other necessities.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
friend
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From this reading He occasionally encountered his friend Patsey, who rendered all the assistance he could, but it availed nothing.
fund
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From this reading Such being the case, he felt that he was not making a success of his calling, as there was no reserve fund upon which to draw for clothing or other necessities.
gained
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From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
Gordon
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From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
greater
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The greater portion of a month wore by, during which he never gained the slightest knowledge of the fate of Jim Travers.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He occasionally encountered his friend Patsey, who rendered all the assistance he could, but it availed nothing.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The greater portion of a month wore by, during which he never gained the slightest knowledge of the fate of Jim Travers.
knowledge
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From this reading The greater portion of a month wore by, during which he never gained the slightest knowledge of the fate of Jim Travers.
learn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom went to the morgue, and applied to the police, and, in fact, used every means at his command to learn something.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such being the case, he felt that he was not making a success of his calling, as there was no reserve fund upon which to draw for clothing or other necessities.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom went to the morgue, and applied to the police, and, in fact, used every means at his command to learn something.
month
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The greater portion of a month wore by, during which he never gained the slightest knowledge of the fate of Jim Travers.
morgue
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From this reading Tom went to the morgue, and applied to the police, and, in fact, used every means at his command to learn something.
necessities
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From this reading Such being the case, he felt that he was not making a success of his calling, as there was no reserve fund upon which to draw for clothing or other necessities.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The greater portion of a month wore by, during which he never gained the slightest knowledge of the fate of Jim Travers.
New
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
newsboy
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From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Such being the case, he felt that he was not making a success of his calling, as there was no reserve fund upon which to draw for clothing or other necessities.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Such being the case, he felt that he was not making a success of his calling, as there was no reserve fund upon which to draw for clothing or other necessities.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
occasionally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He occasionally encountered his friend Patsey, who rendered all the assistance he could, but it availed nothing.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Such being the case, he felt that he was not making a success of his calling, as there was no reserve fund upon which to draw for clothing or other necessities.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such being the case, he felt that he was not making a success of his calling, as there was no reserve fund upon which to draw for clothing or other necessities.
Patsey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He occasionally encountered his friend Patsey, who rendered all the assistance he could, but it availed nothing.
police
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom went to the morgue, and applied to the police, and, in fact, used every means at his command to learn something.
portion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The greater portion of a month wore by, during which he never gained the slightest knowledge of the fate of Jim Travers.
prosecuted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
rendered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He occasionally encountered his friend Patsey, who rendered all the assistance he could, but it availed nothing.
reserve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such being the case, he felt that he was not making a success of his calling, as there was no reserve fund upon which to draw for clothing or other necessities.
slightest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The greater portion of a month wore by, during which he never gained the slightest knowledge of the fate of Jim Travers.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Tom went to the morgue, and applied to the police, and, in fact, used every means at his command to learn something.
success
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such being the case, he felt that he was not making a success of his calling, as there was no reserve fund upon which to draw for clothing or other necessities.
SuchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such being the case, he felt that he was not making a success of his calling, as there was no reserve fund upon which to draw for clothing or other necessities.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such being the case, he felt that he was not making a success of his calling, as there was no reserve fund upon which to draw for clothing or other necessities.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
Tom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
Travers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The greater portion of a month wore by, during which he never gained the slightest knowledge of the fate of Jim Travers.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Such being the case, he felt that he was not making a success of his calling, as there was no reserve fund upon which to draw for clothing or other necessities.
used
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom went to the morgue, and applied to the police, and, in fact, used every means at his command to learn something.
vocation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Such being the case, he felt that he was not making a success of his calling, as there was no reserve fund upon which to draw for clothing or other necessities.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Tom went to the morgue, and applied to the police, and, in fact, used every means at his command to learn something.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He occasionally encountered his friend Patsey, who rendered all the assistance he could, but it availed nothing.
wore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The greater portion of a month wore by, during which he never gained the slightest knowledge of the fate of Jim Travers.
York
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For two weeks Tom Gordon prosecuted his vocation as a newsboy in the city of New York, by which time he had gained enough experience to earn his daily bread, but nothing beyond that.
