AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
asideadverbUS /əˈsaɪd/
on or to one side
From this reading With little wit of mind or skill of hand he had been a common tool, used by this master and that for the roughest tasks, when needed, put aside, passed on, and dropped out of mind.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
AuldadjectiveUS /ɔːld/
a Scottish word
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
bairnless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wifeless, cotless, bairnless, he had slept, since early boyhood, under strange roofs, eaten the bread of the hireling, and sat dumb at other men's firesides.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading With little wit of mind or skill of hand he had been a common tool, used by this master and that for the roughest tasks, when needed, put aside, passed on, and dropped out of mind.
belongedverbUS /bɪˈlɔːŋd/
past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading Nothing ever belonged to the man but his scant earnings.
bleakadjectiveUS /bliːk/
offering little or no hope
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
boyhoodnounUS /ˈbɔɪhʊd/
the childhood of a boy
From this reading Wifeless, cotless, bairnless, he had slept, since early boyhood, under strange roofs, eaten the bread of the hireling, and sat dumb at other men's firesides.
breadnounUS /bred/
food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked
From this reading Wifeless, cotless, bairnless, he had slept, since early boyhood, under strange roofs, eaten the bread of the hireling, and sat dumb at other men's firesides.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He had come into the world unnoted in a shepherd's lonely cot.
commonadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmən/
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading With little wit of mind or skill of hand he had been a common tool, used by this master and that for the roughest tasks, when needed, put aside, passed on, and dropped out of mind.
cotnounUS /kɑːt/
a sheath worn to protect a finger
From this reading He had come into the world unnoted in a shepherd's lonely cot.
cotless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wifeless, cotless, bairnless, he had slept, since early boyhood, under strange roofs, eaten the bread of the hireling, and sat dumb at other men's firesides.
dozennounUS /ˈdʌzən/
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
droppedverbUS /drɑːpt/
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading With little wit of mind or skill of hand he had been a common tool, used by this master and that for the roughest tasks, when needed, put aside, passed on, and dropped out of mind.
dumbadjectiveUS /dʌm/
slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity
From this reading Wifeless, cotless, bairnless, he had slept, since early boyhood, under strange roofs, eaten the bread of the hireling, and sat dumb at other men's firesides.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Wifeless, cotless, bairnless, he had slept, since early boyhood, under strange roofs, eaten the bread of the hireling, and sat dumb at other men's firesides.
earningsnounUS /ˈɜːrnɪŋz/
the excess of revenues over outlays in a given period of time (including depreciation and other non-cash expenses)
From this reading Nothing ever belonged to the man but his scant earnings.
eatenverbUS /ˈiːtən/
inflected form of “eat” — take in solid food
From this reading Wifeless, cotless, bairnless, he had slept, since early boyhood, under strange roofs, eaten the bread of the hireling, and sat dumb at other men's firesides.
EdinburghnounUS /ˈedənbəroʊ/
the capital of Scotland; located in the Lothian Region on the south side of the Firth of Forth
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading Nothing ever belonged to the man but his scant earnings.
fibernounUS /ˈfaɪbər/
a slender and greatly elongated substance capable of being spun into yarn
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
FifenounUS /faɪf/
a small high-pitched flute similar to a piccolo; has a shrill tone and is used chiefly to accompany drums in a marching band
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
fiftynounUS /ˈfɪfti/
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
firesides
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wifeless, cotless, bairnless, he had slept, since early boyhood, under strange roofs, eaten the bread of the hireling, and sat dumb at other men's firesides.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading With little wit of mind or skill of hand he had been a common tool, used by this master and that for the roughest tasks, when needed, put aside, passed on, and dropped out of mind.
garretsnounUS /ˈɡerəts/
plural of “garret” — floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
gnarledadjectiveUS /nɑːrld/
used of old persons or old trees; covered with knobs or knots
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
grizzledadjectiveUS /ˈɡrɪzəld/
having dark hairs mixed with grey or white
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had come into the world unnoted in a shepherd's lonely cot.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading With little wit of mind or skill of hand he had been a common tool, used by this master and that for the roughest tasks, when needed, put aside, passed on, and dropped out of mind.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had come into the world unnoted in a shepherd's lonely cot.
hillsnounUS /hɪlz/
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
hirelingnoun
a person who works only for money
From this reading Wifeless, cotless, bairnless, he had slept, since early boyhood, under strange roofs, eaten the bread of the hireling, and sat dumb at other men's firesides.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Nothing ever belonged to the man but his scant earnings.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He had come into the world unnoted in a shepherd's lonely cot.
JocknounUS /dʒɑːk/
a person trained to compete in sports
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
lonelyadjectiveUS /ˈloʊnli/
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading He had come into the world unnoted in a shepherd's lonely cot.
lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
masternounUS /ˈmæstər/
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading With little wit of mind or skill of hand he had been a common tool, used by this master and that for the roughest tasks, when needed, put aside, passed on, and dropped out of mind.
men'snounUS /menz/
a public toilet for men
From this reading Wifeless, cotless, bairnless, he had slept, since early boyhood, under strange roofs, eaten the bread of the hireling, and sat dumb at other men's firesides.
Midlothian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading With little wit of mind or skill of hand he had been a common tool, used by this master and that for the roughest tasks, when needed, put aside, passed on, and dropped out of mind.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
neededadjectiveUS /ˈniːdəd/
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading With little wit of mind or skill of hand he had been a common tool, used by this master and that for the roughest tasks, when needed, put aside, passed on, and dropped out of mind.
NothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing ever belonged to the man but his scant earnings.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading With little wit of mind or skill of hand he had been a common tool, used by this master and that for the roughest tasks, when needed, put aside, passed on, and dropped out of mind.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Wifeless, cotless, bairnless, he had slept, since early boyhood, under strange roofs, eaten the bread of the hireling, and sat dumb at other men's firesides.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading With little wit of mind or skill of hand he had been a common tool, used by this master and that for the roughest tasks, when needed, put aside, passed on, and dropped out of mind.
putverbUS /pʊt/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading With little wit of mind or skill of hand he had been a common tool, used by this master and that for the roughest tasks, when needed, put aside, passed on, and dropped out of mind.
roofsnounUS /ruːfs/
plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading Wifeless, cotless, bairnless, he had slept, since early boyhood, under strange roofs, eaten the bread of the hireling, and sat dumb at other men's firesides.
roughestadjectiveUS /ˈrʌfəst/
superlative of “rough” — having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading With little wit of mind or skill of hand he had been a common tool, used by this master and that for the roughest tasks, when needed, put aside, passed on, and dropped out of mind.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Wifeless, cotless, bairnless, he had slept, since early boyhood, under strange roofs, eaten the bread of the hireling, and sat dumb at other men's firesides.
scantadjectiveUS /skænt/
less than the correct or legal or full amount often deliberately so
From this reading Nothing ever belonged to the man but his scant earnings.
shepherdnounUS /ˈʃepərd/
a clergyman who watches over a group of people
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
shepherd'snounUS /ˈʃepərdz/
possessive form of “shepherd” — a clergyman who watches over a group of people
From this reading He had come into the world unnoted in a shepherd's lonely cot.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Wifeless, cotless, bairnless, he had slept, since early boyhood, under strange roofs, eaten the bread of the hireling, and sat dumb at other men's firesides.
skillnounUS /skɪl/
an ability that has been acquired by training
From this reading With little wit of mind or skill of hand he had been a common tool, used by this master and that for the roughest tasks, when needed, put aside, passed on, and dropped out of mind.
sleptverbUS /slept/
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading Wifeless, cotless, bairnless, he had slept, since early boyhood, under strange roofs, eaten the bread of the hireling, and sat dumb at other men's firesides.
stablesnounUS /ˈsteɪbəlz/
plural of “stable” — a farm building for housing horses or other livestock
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
storm-buffeted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
strangeadjectiveUS /streɪndʒ/
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Wifeless, cotless, bairnless, he had slept, since early boyhood, under strange roofs, eaten the bread of the hireling, and sat dumb at other men's firesides.
tasksnounUS /tæsks/
plural of “task” — any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading With little wit of mind or skill of hand he had been a common tool, used by this master and that for the roughest tasks, when needed, put aside, passed on, and dropped out of mind.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading With little wit of mind or skill of hand he had been a common tool, used by this master and that for the roughest tasks, when needed, put aside, passed on, and dropped out of mind.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading With little wit of mind or skill of hand he had been a common tool, used by this master and that for the roughest tasks, when needed, put aside, passed on, and dropped out of mind.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Nothing ever belonged to the man but his scant earnings.
toolnounUS /tuːl/
an implement used in the practice of a vocation
From this reading With little wit of mind or skill of hand he had been a common tool, used by this master and that for the roughest tasks, when needed, put aside, passed on, and dropped out of mind.
toughadjectiveUS /tʌf/
not given to gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Wifeless, cotless, bairnless, he had slept, since early boyhood, under strange roofs, eaten the bread of the hireling, and sat dumb at other men's firesides.
unnotedadjective
not taken into account
From this reading He had come into the world unnoted in a shepherd's lonely cot.
usedadjectiveUS /juːzd/
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading With little wit of mind or skill of hand he had been a common tool, used by this master and that for the roughest tasks, when needed, put aside, passed on, and dropped out of mind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading With little wit of mind or skill of hand he had been a common tool, used by this master and that for the roughest tasks, when needed, put aside, passed on, and dropped out of mind.
Wifeless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wifeless, cotless, bairnless, he had slept, since early boyhood, under strange roofs, eaten the bread of the hireling, and sat dumb at other men's firesides.
wintersnounUS /ˈwɪntərz/
plural of “winter” — the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
witnounUS /wɪt/
a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
From this reading With little wit of mind or skill of hand he had been a common tool, used by this master and that for the roughest tasks, when needed, put aside, passed on, and dropped out of mind.
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading With little wit of mind or skill of hand he had been a common tool, used by this master and that for the roughest tasks, when needed, put aside, passed on, and dropped out of mind.
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading He had come into the world unnoted in a shepherd's lonely cot.
wornverbUS /wɔːrn/
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading A grizzled, gnarled little man was Auld Jock, of tough fiber, but worn out at last by fifty winters as a shepherd on the bleak hills of Midlothian and Fife, and a dozen more in the low stables and storm-buffeted garrets of Edinburgh.
