adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
accountsnounUS /əˈkaʊnts/
plural of “account” — a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading Then came the making out the accounts, a matter dreaded by all the family.
AlfrednounUS /ˈælfrəd/
king of Wessex; defeated the Vikings and encouraged writing in English (849-899)
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
Alfred's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
beenounUS /biː/
any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
booknounUS /bʊk/
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
bottlenounUS /ˈbɑːtəl/
a glass or plastic vessel used for storing drinks or other liquids; typically cylindrical without handles and with a narrow neck that can be plugged or capped
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Then came the making out the accounts, a matter dreaded by all the family.
cleanadjectiveUS /kliːn/
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
comingnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋ/
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
constantadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnstənt/
unvarying in nature
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
dotsnounUS /dɑːts/
plural of “dot” — a very small circular shape
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
dreadedadjectiveUS /ˈdredɪd/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading Then came the making out the accounts, a matter dreaded by all the family.
Ellen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
enjoyedverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪd/
past form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
enormousadjectiveUS /ɪˈnɔːrməs/
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
familynounUS /ˈfæməli/
a social unit living together
From this reading Then came the making out the accounts, a matter dreaded by all the family.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
gabbleverb
speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
getverbUS /ɡet/
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
grewverbUS /ɡruː/
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
handsnounUS /hændz/
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
happyadjectiveUS /ˈhæpi/
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
Harold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
hearverbUS /hiːr/
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
holdverbUS /hoʊld/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
horribleadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːrəbəl/
provoking horror
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
infinitelyadverbUS /ˈɪnfənətli/
without bounds
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
keptadjectiveUS /kept/
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
KingnounUS /kɪŋ/
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
makingnounUS /ˈmeɪkɪŋ/
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Then came the making out the accounts, a matter dreaded by all the family.
matternounUS /ˈmætər/
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Then came the making out the accounts, a matter dreaded by all the family.
MissverbUS /mɪs/
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
mumblingnounUS /ˈmʌmbəlɪŋ/
indistinct enunciation
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Then came the making out the accounts, a matter dreaded by all the family.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
PaulnounUS /pɔːl/
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
Paul'snounUS /pɔːlz/
possessive form of “paul” — United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
pencilnounUS /ˈpensəl/
a thin cylindrical pointed writing implement; a rod of marking substance encased in wood
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
prizenounUS /praɪz/
something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
readverbUS /red/
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
readingnounUS /ˈriːdɪŋ/
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
reckoningnounUS /ˈrekənɪŋ/
problem solving that involves numbers or quantities
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/
Identical; not different.
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
Selby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
sisternounUS /ˈsɪstər/
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
soonadverbUS /suːn/
in the near future
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
spareverbUS /sper/
refrain from harming
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
stumbleverbUS /ˈstʌmbəl/
walk unsteadily
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
SuchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
sumsnounUS /sʌmz/
plural of “sum” — a quantity of money
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
supplyverbUS /səˈplaɪ/
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
ThenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then came the making out the accounts, a matter dreaded by all the family.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
thumb-nail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
tookverbUS /tʊk/
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
treatverbUS /triːt/
interact in a certain way
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
usedadjectiveUS /juːzd/
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
workedverbUS /wɜːrkt/
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
wrongadjectiveUS /rɔːŋ/
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
