adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
additionnounUS /əˈdɪʃən/
a component that is added to something to improve it
From this reading By means of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, settle everything somehow, and never wonder.
affectionsnounUS /əˈfekʃənz/
plural of “affection” — a positive feeling of liking
From this reading Herein lay the spring of the mechanical art and mystery of educating the reason without stooping to the cultivation of the sentiments and affections.
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/
anew
From this reading NEVER WONDER LET us strike the key-note again, before pursuing the tune.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading Herein lay the spring of the mechanical art and mystery of educating the reason without stooping to the cultivation of the sentiments and affections.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading NEVER WONDER LET us strike the key-note again, before pursuing the tune.
beginverbUS /bɪˈɡɪn/
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
brothernounUS /ˈbrʌðər/
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
conversationnounUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃən/
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
cultivationnounUS /ˌkʌltɪˈveɪʃən/
socialization through training and education to develop one's mind or manners
From this reading Herein lay the spring of the mechanical art and mystery of educating the reason without stooping to the cultivation of the sentiments and affections.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
divisionnounUS /dɪˈvɪʒən/
an army unit large enough to sustain combat
From this reading By means of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, settle everything somehow, and never wonder.
dozennounUS /ˈdʌzən/
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
educatingverbUS /ˈedʒəkeɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “educate” — give an education to
From this reading Herein lay the spring of the mechanical art and mystery of educating the reason without stooping to the cultivation of the sentiments and affections.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading By means of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, settle everything somehow, and never wonder.
forthadverbUS /fɔːrθ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
Gradgrind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
halfadjectiveUS /hæf/
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
HereinadverbUS /hɪˈrɪn/
in this place or thing or document
From this reading Herein lay the spring of the mechanical art and mystery of educating the reason without stooping to the cultivation of the sentiments and affections.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
key-note
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NEVER WONDER LET us strike the key-note again, before pursuing the tune.
layverbUS /leɪ/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Herein lay the spring of the mechanical art and mystery of educating the reason without stooping to the cultivation of the sentiments and affections.
LETauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading NEVER WONDER LET us strike the key-note again, before pursuing the tune.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
Louisa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
meansnounUS /miːnz/
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading By means of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, settle everything somehow, and never wonder.
mechanicaladjectiveUS /məˈkænɪkəl/
using (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices
From this reading Herein lay the spring of the mechanical art and mystery of educating the reason without stooping to the cultivation of the sentiments and affections.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
multiplicationnounUS /ˌmʌltəpləˈkeɪʃən/
the act of producing offspring or multiplying by such production
From this reading By means of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, settle everything somehow, and never wonder.
mysterynounUS /ˈmɪstəri/
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading Herein lay the spring of the mechanical art and mystery of educating the reason without stooping to the cultivation of the sentiments and affections.
NEVERadverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading NEVER WONDER LET us strike the key-note again, before pursuing the tune.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Herein lay the spring of the mechanical art and mystery of educating the reason without stooping to the cultivation of the sentiments and affections.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
overheardverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhɜːrd/
inflected form of “overhear” — hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
overhearingverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈhiːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “overhear” — hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
personnounUS /ˈpɜːrsən/
a human being
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
pursuingadjectiveUS /pərˈsuːɪŋ/
following in order to overtake or capture or as accompaniment to such pursuit
From this reading NEVER WONDER LET us strike the key-note again, before pursuing the tune.
reasonnounUS /ˈriːzən/
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Herein lay the spring of the mechanical art and mystery of educating the reason without stooping to the cultivation of the sentiments and affections.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
sayingnounUS /ˈseɪɪŋ/
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
sentimentsnounUS /ˈsentəmənts/
plural of “sentiment” — tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion
From this reading Herein lay the spring of the mechanical art and mystery of educating the reason without stooping to the cultivation of the sentiments and affections.
settleverbUS /ˈsetəl/
settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground
From this reading By means of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, settle everything somehow, and never wonder.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
somehowadverbUS /ˈsʌmhaʊ/
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading By means of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, settle everything somehow, and never wonder.
springnounUS /sprɪŋ/
the season of growth
From this reading Herein lay the spring of the mechanical art and mystery of educating the reason without stooping to the cultivation of the sentiments and affections.
steppedverbUS /stept/
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
stoopingadjectiveUS /ˈstuːpɪŋ/
having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
From this reading Herein lay the spring of the mechanical art and mystery of educating the reason without stooping to the cultivation of the sentiments and affections.
strikeverbUS /straɪk/
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading NEVER WONDER LET us strike the key-note again, before pursuing the tune.
subtractionnounUS /səbˈtrækʃən/
an arithmetic operation in which the difference between two numbers is calculated
From this reading By means of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, settle everything somehow, and never wonder.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading NEVER WONDER LET us strike the key-note again, before pursuing the tune.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
TomnounUS /tɑːm/
male cat
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
tunenounUS /tuːn/
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
From this reading NEVER WONDER LET us strike the key-note again, before pursuing the tune.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading NEVER WONDER LET us strike the key-note again, before pursuing the tune.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Herein lay the spring of the mechanical art and mystery of educating the reason without stooping to the cultivation of the sentiments and affections.
WONDERnounUS /ˈwʌndər/
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading NEVER WONDER LET us strike the key-note again, before pursuing the tune.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
youngeradjectiveUS /ˈjʌŋɡər/
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading When she was half a dozen years younger, Louisa had been overheard to begin a conversation with her brother one day, by saying ‘Tom, I wonder’—upon which Mr. Gradgrind, who was the person overhearing, stepped forth into the light and said, ‘Louisa, never wonder!’
