Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
1867
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Henry Machin first saw the smoke on the 27th May, 1867, in Brougham Street, Bursley, the most ancient of the Five Towns.
27th
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Henry Machin first saw the smoke on the 27th May, 1867, in Brougham Street, Bursley, the most ancient of the Five Towns.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In such surroundings was an extraordinary man born.
ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading Edward Henry Machin first saw the smoke on the 27th May, 1867, in Brougham Street, Bursley, the most ancient of the Five Towns.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
anxiety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the only anxiety of a widowed mother, who gained her livelihood and his by making up "ladies’ own materials" in ladies’ own houses.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
apart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
auction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
auctioneers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
bornnounUS /born/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In such surroundings was an extraordinary man born.
Brougham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Henry Machin first saw the smoke on the 27th May, 1867, in Brougham Street, Bursley, the most ancient of the Five Towns.
buildings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
Bursley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Henry Machin first saw the smoke on the 27th May, 1867, in Brougham Street, Bursley, the most ancient of the Five Towns.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
Canal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
consists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
cottages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
describe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
district
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
earthenware
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
Edward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Henry Machin first saw the smoke on the 27th May, 1867, in Brougham Street, Bursley, the most ancient of the Five Towns.
extensive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
extraordinary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In such surroundings was an extraordinary man born.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Edward Henry Machin first saw the smoke on the 27th May, 1867, in Brougham Street, Bursley, the most ancient of the Five Towns.
Five
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Henry Machin first saw the smoke on the 27th May, 1867, in Brougham Street, Bursley, the most ancient of the Five Towns.
flannel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
four-and-six
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
gained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the only anxiety of a widowed mother, who gained her livelihood and his by making up "ladies’ own materials" in ladies’ own houses.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was the only anxiety of a widowed mother, who gained her livelihood and his by making up "ladies’ own materials" in ladies’ own houses.
Henry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Henry Machin first saw the smoke on the 27th May, 1867, in Brougham Street, Bursley, the most ancient of the Five Towns.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He was the only anxiety of a widowed mother, who gained her livelihood and his by making up "ladies’ own materials" in ladies’ own houses.
highest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was the only anxiety of a widowed mother, who gained her livelihood and his by making up "ladies’ own materials" in ladies’ own houses.
houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the only anxiety of a widowed mother, who gained her livelihood and his by making up "ladies’ own materials" in ladies’ own houses.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Edward Henry Machin first saw the smoke on the 27th May, 1867, in Brougham Street, Bursley, the most ancient of the Five Towns.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
lace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
ladies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the only anxiety of a widowed mother, who gained her livelihood and his by making up "ladies’ own materials" in ladies’ own houses.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
livelihood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the only anxiety of a widowed mother, who gained her livelihood and his by making up "ladies’ own materials" in ladies’ own houses.
Luke's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
Machin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Henry Machin first saw the smoke on the 27th May, 1867, in Brougham Street, Bursley, the most ancient of the Five Towns.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the only anxiety of a widowed mother, who gained her livelihood and his by making up "ladies’ own materials" in ladies’ own houses.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In such surroundings was an extraordinary man born.
manufactories
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
materials
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the only anxiety of a widowed mother, who gained her livelihood and his by making up "ladies’ own materials" in ladies’ own houses.
Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Edward Henry Machin first saw the smoke on the 27th May, 1867, in Brougham Street, Bursley, the most ancient of the Five Towns.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Henry Machin first saw the smoke on the 27th May, 1867, in Brougham Street, Bursley, the most ancient of the Five Towns.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the only anxiety of a widowed mother, who gained her livelihood and his by making up "ladies’ own materials" in ladies’ own houses.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Edward Henry Machin first saw the smoke on the 27th May, 1867, in Brougham Street, Bursley, the most ancient of the Five Towns.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Edward Henry Machin first saw the smoke on the 27th May, 1867, in Brougham Street, Bursley, the most ancient of the Five Towns.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the only anxiety of a widowed mother, who gained her livelihood and his by making up "ladies’ own materials" in ladies’ own houses.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the only anxiety of a widowed mother, who gained her livelihood and his by making up "ladies’ own materials" in ladies’ own houses.
partly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
potbanks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
remainednounUS /ˈremained/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
rent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
ruining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
runs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Henry Machin first saw the smoke on the 27th May, 1867, in Brougham Street, Bursley, the most ancient of the Five Towns.
sew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
shrinking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
Shropshire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
smoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Henry Machin first saw the smoke on the 27th May, 1867, in Brougham Street, Bursley, the most ancient of the Five Towns.
sold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
specialty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
Square
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
straight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
Street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Henry Machin first saw the smoke on the 27th May, 1867, in Brougham Street, Bursley, the most ancient of the Five Towns.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading In such surroundings was an extraordinary man born.
surroundings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In such surroundings was an extraordinary man born.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Edward Henry Machin first saw the smoke on the 27th May, 1867, in Brougham Street, Bursley, the most ancient of the Five Towns.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
thus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
Towns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Henry Machin first saw the smoke on the 27th May, 1867, in Brougham Street, Bursley, the most ancient of the Five Towns.
Union
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the only anxiety of a widowed mother, who gained her livelihood and his by making up "ladies’ own materials" in ladies’ own houses.
vocation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In such surroundings was an extraordinary man born.
wash
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He was the only anxiety of a widowed mother, who gained her livelihood and his by making up "ladies’ own materials" in ladies’ own houses.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading Brougham Street runs down from St. Luke’s Square straight into the Shropshire Union Canal, and consists partly of buildings known as "potbanks" (until they come to be sold by auction, when auctioneers describe them as "extensive earthenware manufactories") and partly of cottages whose highest rent is four-and-six a week.
widowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the only anxiety of a widowed mother, who gained her livelihood and his by making up "ladies’ own materials" in ladies’ own houses.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Machin, however, had a specialty apart from her vocation; she could wash flannel with less shrinking than any other woman in the district, and she could wash fine lace without ruining it; thus often she came to sew and remained to wash.
