adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Methodist Society of Laurel Hill had built themselves a new church upon the corner of the common, and as a mark of respect had made black John their sexton.
accomplishmentnounUS /əˈkɑːmplɪʃmənt/
the action of accomplishing something
From this reading Perfectly delighted with the office, he discharged his duties faithfully, particularly the ringing of the bell, in which accomplishment he greatly excelled his Episcopal rival, who tried to imitate his peculiar style in vain.
actuallyadverbUS /ˈæktʃuːəli/
in actual fact
From this reading In short, it was conceded that on great occasions he actually made the old bell talk; and one day toward the last of September, and five months after the events of the preceding chapter, an opportunity was presented for a display of his skill.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading In short, it was conceded that on great occasions he actually made the old bell talk; and one day toward the last of September, and five months after the events of the preceding chapter, an opportunity was presented for a display of his skill.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In short, it was conceded that on great occasions he actually made the old bell talk; and one day toward the last of September, and five months after the events of the preceding chapter, an opportunity was presented for a display of his skill.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Methodist Society of Laurel Hill had built themselves a new church upon the corner of the common, and as a mark of respect had made black John their sexton.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Methodist Society of Laurel Hill had built themselves a new church upon the corner of the common, and as a mark of respect had made black John their sexton.
bellnounUS /bel/
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading Perfectly delighted with the office, he discharged his duties faithfully, particularly the ringing of the bell, in which accomplishment he greatly excelled his Episcopal rival, who tried to imitate his peculiar style in vain.
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 The Methodist Society of Laurel Hill had built themselves a new church upon the corner of the common, and as a mark of respect had made black John their sexton.
builtadjectiveUS /bɪlt/
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading The Methodist Society of Laurel Hill had built themselves a new church upon the corner of the common, and as a mark of respect had made black John their sexton.
changesnounUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒəz/
plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading No one could make such music as the negro, or ring so many changes.
chapternounUS /ˈtʃæptər/
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading In short, it was conceded that on great occasions he actually made the old bell talk; and one day toward the last of September, and five months after the events of the preceding chapter, an opportunity was presented for a display of his skill.
churchnounUS /tʃɜːrtʃ/
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading The Methodist Society of Laurel Hill had built themselves a new church upon the corner of the common, and as a mark of respect had made black John their sexton.
commonadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmən/
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading The Methodist Society of Laurel Hill had built themselves a new church upon the corner of the common, and as a mark of respect had made black John their sexton.
concededverbUS /kənˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “concede” — admit (to a wrongdoing)
From this reading In short, it was conceded that on great occasions he actually made the old bell talk; and one day toward the last of September, and five months after the events of the preceding chapter, an opportunity was presented for a display of his skill.
cornernounUS /ˈkɔːrnər/
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading The Methodist Society of Laurel Hill had built themselves a new church upon the corner of the common, and as a mark of respect had made black John their sexton.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading No one could make such music as the negro, or ring so many changes.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading In short, it was conceded that on great occasions he actually made the old bell talk; and one day toward the last of September, and five months after the events of the preceding chapter, an opportunity was presented for a display of his skill.
delightedadjectiveUS /dɪˈlaɪtəd/
greatly pleased
From this reading Perfectly delighted with the office, he discharged his duties faithfully, particularly the ringing of the bell, in which accomplishment he greatly excelled his Episcopal rival, who tried to imitate his peculiar style in vain.
dischargedadjectiveUS /dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒd/
having lost your job
From this reading Perfectly delighted with the office, he discharged his duties faithfully, particularly the ringing of the bell, in which accomplishment he greatly excelled his Episcopal rival, who tried to imitate his peculiar style in vain.
displaynounUS /dɪˈspleɪ/
something intended to communicate a particular impression
From this reading In short, it was conceded that on great occasions he actually made the old bell talk; and one day toward the last of September, and five months after the events of the preceding chapter, an opportunity was presented for a display of his skill.
dutiesnounUS /ˈduːtiz/
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Perfectly delighted with the office, he discharged his duties faithfully, particularly the ringing of the bell, in which accomplishment he greatly excelled his Episcopal rival, who tried to imitate his peculiar style in vain.
EpiscopaladjectiveUS /ɪˈpɪskəpəl/
of or pertaining to or characteristic of the Episcopal church
From this reading Perfectly delighted with the office, he discharged his duties faithfully, particularly the ringing of the bell, in which accomplishment he greatly excelled his Episcopal rival, who tried to imitate his peculiar style in vain.
eventsnounUS /ɪˈvents/
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading In short, it was conceded that on great occasions he actually made the old bell talk; and one day toward the last of September, and five months after the events of the preceding chapter, an opportunity was presented for a display of his skill.
excelledverbUS /ɪkˈseld/
inflected form of “excel” — distinguish oneself
From this reading Perfectly delighted with the office, he discharged his duties faithfully, particularly the ringing of the bell, in which accomplishment he greatly excelled his Episcopal rival, who tried to imitate his peculiar style in vain.
faithfullyadverbUS /ˈfeɪθfəli/
in a faithful manner
From this reading Perfectly delighted with the office, he discharged his duties faithfully, particularly the ringing of the bell, in which accomplishment he greatly excelled his Episcopal rival, who tried to imitate his peculiar style in vain.
fivenounUS /faɪv/
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading In short, it was conceded that on great occasions he actually made the old bell talk; and one day toward the last of September, and five months after the events of the preceding chapter, an opportunity was presented for a display of his skill.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In short, it was conceded that on great occasions he actually made the old bell talk; and one day toward the last of September, and five months after the events of the preceding chapter, an opportunity was presented for a display of his skill.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading In short, it was conceded that on great occasions he actually made the old bell talk; and one day toward the last of September, and five months after the events of the preceding chapter, an opportunity was presented for a display of his skill.
greatlyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪtli/
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading Perfectly delighted with the office, he discharged his duties faithfully, particularly the ringing of the bell, in which accomplishment he greatly excelled his Episcopal rival, who tried to imitate his peculiar style in vain.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Methodist Society of Laurel Hill had built themselves a new church upon the corner of the common, and as a mark of respect had made black John their sexton.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Perfectly delighted with the office, he discharged his duties faithfully, particularly the ringing of the bell, in which accomplishment he greatly excelled his Episcopal rival, who tried to imitate his peculiar style in vain.
HillnounUS /hɪl/
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading The Methodist Society of Laurel Hill had built themselves a new church upon the corner of the common, and as a mark of respect had made black John their sexton.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Perfectly delighted with the office, he discharged his duties faithfully, particularly the ringing of the bell, in which accomplishment he greatly excelled his Episcopal rival, who tried to imitate his peculiar style in vain.
imitateverbUS /ˈɪməteɪt/
reproduce someone's behavior or looks
From this reading Perfectly delighted with the office, he discharged his duties faithfully, particularly the ringing of the bell, in which accomplishment he greatly excelled his Episcopal rival, who tried to imitate his peculiar style in vain.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Perfectly delighted with the office, he discharged his duties faithfully, particularly the ringing of the bell, in which accomplishment he greatly excelled his Episcopal rival, who tried to imitate his peculiar style in vain.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In short, it was conceded that on great occasions he actually made the old bell talk; and one day toward the last of September, and five months after the events of the preceding chapter, an opportunity was presented for a display of his skill.
JohnnounUS /dʒɑːn/
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading The Methodist Society of Laurel Hill had built themselves a new church upon the corner of the common, and as a mark of respect had made black John their sexton.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading In short, it was conceded that on great occasions he actually made the old bell talk; and one day toward the last of September, and five months after the events of the preceding chapter, an opportunity was presented for a display of his skill.
LaurelnounUS /ˈlɔːrəl/
any of various aromatic trees of the laurel family
From this reading The Methodist Society of Laurel Hill had built themselves a new church upon the corner of the common, and as a mark of respect had made black John their sexton.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The Methodist Society of Laurel Hill had built themselves a new church upon the corner of the common, and as a mark of respect had made black John their sexton.
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading No one could make such music as the negro, or ring so many changes.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading No one could make such music as the negro, or ring so many changes.
markverbUS /mɑːrk/
attach a tag or label to
From this reading The Methodist Society of Laurel Hill had built themselves a new church upon the corner of the common, and as a mark of respect had made black John their sexton.
MethodistadjectiveUS /ˈmeθədəst/
of or pertaining to or characteristic of the branch of Protestantism adhering to the views of Wesley
From this reading The Methodist Society of Laurel Hill had built themselves a new church upon the corner of the common, and as a mark of respect had made black John their sexton.
monthsnounUS /mʌnθs/
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading In short, it was conceded that on great occasions he actually made the old bell talk; and one day toward the last of September, and five months after the events of the preceding chapter, an opportunity was presented for a display of his skill.
musicnounUS /ˈmjuːzɪk/
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading No one could make such music as the negro, or ring so many changes.
negronounUS /ˈniːɡroʊ/
a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today
From this reading No one could make such music as the negro, or ring so many changes.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The Methodist Society of Laurel Hill had built themselves a new church upon the corner of the common, and as a mark of respect had made black John their sexton.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading No one could make such music as the negro, or ring so many changes.
occasionsnounUS /əˈkeɪʒənz/
something you have to do
From this reading In short, it was conceded that on great occasions he actually made the old bell talk; and one day toward the last of September, and five months after the events of the preceding chapter, an opportunity was presented for a display of his skill.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Methodist Society of Laurel Hill had built themselves a new church upon the corner of the common, and as a mark of respect had made black John their sexton.
officenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading Perfectly delighted with the office, he discharged his duties faithfully, particularly the ringing of the bell, in which accomplishment he greatly excelled his Episcopal rival, who tried to imitate his peculiar style in vain.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading In short, it was conceded that on great occasions he actually made the old bell talk; and one day toward the last of September, and five months after the events of the preceding chapter, an opportunity was presented for a display of his skill.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In short, it was conceded that on great occasions he actually made the old bell talk; and one day toward the last of September, and five months after the events of the preceding chapter, an opportunity was presented for a display of his skill.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading No one could make such music as the negro, or ring so many changes.
opportunitynounUS /ˌɑːpərˈtuːnəti/
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading In short, it was conceded that on great occasions he actually made the old bell talk; and one day toward the last of September, and five months after the events of the preceding chapter, an opportunity was presented for a display of his skill.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading No one could make such music as the negro, or ring so many changes.
particularlyadverbUS /ˌpɑːrˈtɪkjələrli/
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Perfectly delighted with the office, he discharged his duties faithfully, particularly the ringing of the bell, in which accomplishment he greatly excelled his Episcopal rival, who tried to imitate his peculiar style in vain.
peculiaradjectiveUS /pəˈkjuːljər/
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading Perfectly delighted with the office, he discharged his duties faithfully, particularly the ringing of the bell, in which accomplishment he greatly excelled his Episcopal rival, who tried to imitate his peculiar style in vain.
PerfectlyadverbUS /ˈpɜːrfəktli/
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading Perfectly delighted with the office, he discharged his duties faithfully, particularly the ringing of the bell, in which accomplishment he greatly excelled his Episcopal rival, who tried to imitate his peculiar style in vain.
precedingadjectiveUS /priˈsiːdɪŋ/
existing or coming before
From this reading In short, it was conceded that on great occasions he actually made the old bell talk; and one day toward the last of September, and five months after the events of the preceding chapter, an opportunity was presented for a display of his skill.
presentedverbUS /priˈzentɪd/
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading In short, it was conceded that on great occasions he actually made the old bell talk; and one day toward the last of September, and five months after the events of the preceding chapter, an opportunity was presented for a display of his skill.
respectnounUS /rɪˈspekt/
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading The Methodist Society of Laurel Hill had built themselves a new church upon the corner of the common, and as a mark of respect had made black John their sexton.
ringverbUS /rɪŋ/
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading No one could make such music as the negro, or ring so many changes.
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading Perfectly delighted with the office, he discharged his duties faithfully, particularly the ringing of the bell, in which accomplishment he greatly excelled his Episcopal rival, who tried to imitate his peculiar style in vain.
rivalverbUS /ˈraɪvəl/
be equal to in quality or ability
From this reading Perfectly delighted with the office, he discharged his duties faithfully, particularly the ringing of the bell, in which accomplishment he greatly excelled his Episcopal rival, who tried to imitate his peculiar style in vain.
SeptembernounUS /sepˈtembər/
the month following August and preceding October
From this reading In short, it was conceded that on great occasions he actually made the old bell talk; and one day toward the last of September, and five months after the events of the preceding chapter, an opportunity was presented for a display of his skill.
SEXTONnounUS /ˈsekstən/
United States poet (1928-1974)
From this reading THE SEXTON.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading In short, it was conceded that on great occasions he actually made the old bell talk; and one day toward the last of September, and five months after the events of the preceding chapter, an opportunity was presented for a display of his skill.
skillnounUS /skɪl/
an ability that has been acquired by training
From this reading In short, it was conceded that on great occasions he actually made the old bell talk; and one day toward the last of September, and five months after the events of the preceding chapter, an opportunity was presented for a display of his skill.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading No one could make such music as the negro, or ring so many changes.
SocietynounUS /səˈsaɪəti/
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading The Methodist Society of Laurel Hill had built themselves a new church upon the corner of the common, and as a mark of respect had made black John their sexton.
stylenounUS /staɪl/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Perfectly delighted with the office, he discharged his duties faithfully, particularly the ringing of the bell, in which accomplishment he greatly excelled his Episcopal rival, who tried to imitate his peculiar style in vain.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading No one could make such music as the negro, or ring so many changes.
talkverbUS /tɔːk/
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading In short, it was conceded that on great occasions he actually made the old bell talk; and one day toward the last of September, and five months after the events of the preceding chapter, an opportunity was presented for a display of his skill.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In short, it was conceded that on great occasions he actually made the old bell talk; and one day toward the last of September, and five months after the events of the preceding chapter, an opportunity was presented for a display of his skill.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SEXTON.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Methodist Society of Laurel Hill had built themselves a new church upon the corner of the common, and as a mark of respect had made black John their sexton.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The Methodist Society of Laurel Hill had built themselves a new church upon the corner of the common, and as a mark of respect had made black John their sexton.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Perfectly delighted with the office, he discharged his duties faithfully, particularly the ringing of the bell, in which accomplishment he greatly excelled his Episcopal rival, who tried to imitate his peculiar style in vain.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading In short, it was conceded that on great occasions he actually made the old bell talk; and one day toward the last of September, and five months after the events of the preceding chapter, an opportunity was presented for a display of his skill.
triedadjectiveUS /traɪd/
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading Perfectly delighted with the office, he discharged his duties faithfully, particularly the ringing of the bell, in which accomplishment he greatly excelled his Episcopal rival, who tried to imitate his peculiar style in vain.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The Methodist Society of Laurel Hill had built themselves a new church upon the corner of the common, and as a mark of respect had made black John their sexton.
vainadjectiveUS /veɪn/
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading Perfectly delighted with the office, he discharged his duties faithfully, particularly the ringing of the bell, in which accomplishment he greatly excelled his Episcopal rival, who tried to imitate his peculiar style in vain.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In short, it was conceded that on great occasions he actually made the old bell talk; and one day toward the last of September, and five months after the events of the preceding chapter, an opportunity was presented for a display of his skill.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Perfectly delighted with the office, he discharged his duties faithfully, particularly the ringing of the bell, in which accomplishment he greatly excelled his Episcopal rival, who tried to imitate his peculiar style in vain.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Perfectly delighted with the office, he discharged his duties faithfully, particularly the ringing of the bell, in which accomplishment he greatly excelled his Episcopal rival, who tried to imitate his peculiar style in vain.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Perfectly delighted with the office, he discharged his duties faithfully, particularly the ringing of the bell, in which accomplishment he greatly excelled his Episcopal rival, who tried to imitate his peculiar style in vain.
