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 The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
absolute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
account
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few of them were making any money; most of them were losing on interest account, closed mills, or stock on hand that could not find purchasers.
also
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few of them were making any money; most of them were losing on interest account, closed mills, or stock on hand that could not find purchasers.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
assignment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
boil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
business-man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
circle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How closely every one in Tramlay’s business circle watched the iron-market!
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few of them were making any money; most of them were losing on interest account, closed mills, or stock on hand that could not find purchasers.
closely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How closely every one in Tramlay’s business circle watched the iron-market!
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Few of them were making any money; most of them were losing on interest account, closed mills, or stock on hand that could not find purchasers.
depressing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
Edgar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
elsewhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading How closely every one in Tramlay’s business circle watched the iron-market!
failure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
Few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few of them were making any money; most of them were losing on interest account, closed mills, or stock on hand that could not find purchasers.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few of them were making any money; most of them were losing on interest account, closed mills, or stock on hand that could not find purchasers.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few of them were making any money; most of them were losing on interest account, closed mills, or stock on hand that could not find purchasers.
holding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How closely every one in Tramlay’s business circle watched the iron-market!
humiliation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
infinitely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few of them were making any money; most of them were losing on interest account, closed mills, or stock on hand that could not find purchasers.
IRON
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IRON LOOKS UP.
iron-market
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How closely every one in Tramlay’s business circle watched the iron-market!
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
learning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
LOOKS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IRON LOOKS UP.
losing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few of them were making any money; most of them were losing on interest account, closed mills, or stock on hand that could not find purchasers.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few of them were making any money; most of them were losing on interest account, closed mills, or stock on hand that could not find purchasers.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
merely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
mills
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few of them were making any money; most of them were losing on interest account, closed mills, or stock on hand that could not find purchasers.
money
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few of them were making any money; most of them were losing on interest account, closed mills, or stock on hand that could not find purchasers.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few of them were making any money; most of them were losing on interest account, closed mills, or stock on hand that could not find purchasers.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Few of them were making any money; most of them were losing on interest account, closed mills, or stock on hand that could not find purchasers.
number
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Few of them were making any money; most of them were losing on interest account, closed mills, or stock on hand that could not find purchasers.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading How closely every one in Tramlay’s business circle watched the iron-market!
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Few of them were making any money; most of them were losing on interest account, closed mills, or stock on hand that could not find purchasers.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
period
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
pots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
proved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
provoking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
purchasers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few of them were making any money; most of them were losing on interest account, closed mills, or stock on hand that could not find purchasers.
regarding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
reluctance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
remainder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
saying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
sorrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
stock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few of them were making any money; most of them were losing on interest account, closed mills, or stock on hand that could not find purchasers.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Few of them were making any money; most of them were losing on interest account, closed mills, or stock on hand that could not find purchasers.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Few of them were making any money; most of them were losing on interest account, closed mills, or stock on hand that could not find purchasers.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
trade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
Tramlay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
Tramlay's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How closely every one in Tramlay’s business circle watched the iron-market!
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
uncomfortable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
UP
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IRON LOOKS UP.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
watched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of the old saying regarding the reluctance of watched pots to boil is proved as well in business as elsewhere, as Edgar Tramlay and a number of other men in the iron trade had for some time been learning to their sorrow.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Few of them were making any money; most of them were losing on interest account, closed mills, or stock on hand that could not find purchasers.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
worse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To know this was uncomfortable; to know that the remainder of the business world knew it also was worse: there is a sense of humiliation in merely holding one’s own for a long period which is infinitely more provoking and depressing to a business-man than an absolute failure or assignment.
