adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading LOWER AND LOWER THE figure descended the great stairs, steadily, steadily; always verging, like a weight in deep water, to the black gulf at the bottom.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He then returned with promptitude to the national cinder-heap, and resumed his sifting for the odds and ends he wanted, and his throwing of the dust about into the eyes of other people who wanted other odds and ends—in fact resumed his parliamentary duties.
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 Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading LOWER AND LOWER THE figure descended the great stairs, steadily, steadily; always verging, like a weight in deep water, to the black gulf at the bottom.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mr. Gradgrind, apprised of his wife’s decease, made an expedition from London, and buried her in a business-like manner.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading LOWER AND LOWER THE figure descended the great stairs, steadily, steadily; always verging, like a weight in deep water, to the black gulf at the bottom.
animateverbUS /ˈænəmət/
heighten or intensify
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
apprisedverbUS /əˈpraɪzd/
past form of “apprise” — inform (somebody) of something
From this reading Mr. Gradgrind, apprised of his wife’s decease, made an expedition from London, and buried her in a business-like manner.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading LOWER AND LOWER THE figure descended the great stairs, steadily, steadily; always verging, like a weight in deep water, to the black gulf at the bottom.
blackadjectiveUS /blæk/
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading LOWER AND LOWER THE figure descended the great stairs, steadily, steadily; always verging, like a weight in deep water, to the black gulf at the bottom.
bottomnounUS /ˈbɑːtəm/
the lower side of anything
From this reading LOWER AND LOWER THE figure descended the great stairs, steadily, steadily; always verging, like a weight in deep water, to the black gulf at the bottom.
brothernounUS /ˈbrʌðər/
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
buriedadjectiveUS /ˈberid/
placed in a grave
From this reading Mr. Gradgrind, apprised of his wife’s decease, made an expedition from London, and buried her in a business-like manner.
business-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Gradgrind, apprised of his wife’s decease, made an expedition from London, and buried her in a business-like manner.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
cat-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
cinder-heap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He then returned with promptitude to the national cinder-heap, and resumed his sifting for the odds and ends he wanted, and his throwing of the dust about into the eyes of other people who wanted other odds and ends—in fact resumed his parliamentary duties.
Coketown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
deceasenounUS /dɪˈsiːs/
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Mr. Gradgrind, apprised of his wife’s decease, made an expedition from London, and buried her in a business-like manner.
deepadjectiveUS /diːp/
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading LOWER AND LOWER THE figure descended the great stairs, steadily, steadily; always verging, like a weight in deep water, to the black gulf at the bottom.
descendedverbUS /dɪˈsendəd/
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading LOWER AND LOWER THE figure descended the great stairs, steadily, steadily; always verging, like a weight in deep water, to the black gulf at the bottom.
dividingverbUS /dɪˈvaɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “divide” — separate into parts or portions
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
dustverbUS /dʌst/
remove the dust from
From this reading He then returned with promptitude to the national cinder-heap, and resumed his sifting for the odds and ends he wanted, and his throwing of the dust about into the eyes of other people who wanted other odds and ends—in fact resumed his parliamentary duties.
dutiesnounUS /ˈduːtiz/
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading He then returned with promptitude to the national cinder-heap, and resumed his sifting for the odds and ends he wanted, and his throwing of the dust about into the eyes of other people who wanted other odds and ends—in fact resumed his parliamentary duties.
endsnounUS /endz/
plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length
From this reading He then returned with promptitude to the national cinder-heap, and resumed his sifting for the odds and ends he wanted, and his throwing of the dust about into the eyes of other people who wanted other odds and ends—in fact resumed his parliamentary duties.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
expeditionnounUS /ˌekspəˈdɪʃən/
a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country
From this reading Mr. Gradgrind, apprised of his wife’s decease, made an expedition from London, and buried her in a business-like manner.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading He then returned with promptitude to the national cinder-heap, and resumed his sifting for the odds and ends he wanted, and his throwing of the dust about into the eyes of other people who wanted other odds and ends—in fact resumed his parliamentary duties.
factnounUS /fækt/
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading He then returned with promptitude to the national cinder-heap, and resumed his sifting for the odds and ends he wanted, and his throwing of the dust about into the eyes of other people who wanted other odds and ends—in fact resumed his parliamentary duties.
figurenounUS /ˈfɪɡjər/
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading LOWER AND LOWER THE figure descended the great stairs, steadily, steadily; always verging, like a weight in deep water, to the black gulf at the bottom.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He then returned with promptitude to the national cinder-heap, and resumed his sifting for the odds and ends he wanted, and his throwing of the dust about into the eyes of other people who wanted other odds and ends—in fact resumed his parliamentary duties.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Mr. Gradgrind, apprised of his wife’s decease, made an expedition from London, and buried her in a business-like manner.
Gradgrind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Gradgrind, apprised of his wife’s decease, made an expedition from London, and buried her in a business-like manner.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading LOWER AND LOWER THE figure descended the great stairs, steadily, steadily; always verging, like a weight in deep water, to the black gulf at the bottom.
gulfnounUS /ɡʌlf/
an arm of a sea or ocean partly enclosed by land; larger than a bay
From this reading LOWER AND LOWER THE figure descended the great stairs, steadily, steadily; always verging, like a weight in deep water, to the black gulf at the bottom.
Harthouse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He then returned with promptitude to the national cinder-heap, and resumed his sifting for the odds and ends he wanted, and his throwing of the dust about into the eyes of other people who wanted other odds and ends—in fact resumed his parliamentary duties.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Gradgrind, apprised of his wife’s decease, made an expedition from London, and buried her in a business-like manner.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Gradgrind, apprised of his wife’s decease, made an expedition from London, and buried her in a business-like manner.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
husbandnounUS /ˈhʌzbənd/
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading LOWER AND LOWER THE figure descended the great stairs, steadily, steadily; always verging, like a weight in deep water, to the black gulf at the bottom.
inanimateadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnænəmət/
belonging to the class of nouns denoting nonliving things
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He then returned with promptitude to the national cinder-heap, and resumed his sifting for the odds and ends he wanted, and his throwing of the dust about into the eyes of other people who wanted other odds and ends—in fact resumed his parliamentary duties.
ironnounUS /ˈaɪərn/
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
JamesnounUS /dʒeɪmz/
a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
keptadjectiveUS /kept/
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading In the meantime, Mrs. Sparsit kept unwinking watch and ward.
lengthnounUS /leŋkθ/
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
lettersnounUS /ˈletərz/
the literary culture
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading LOWER AND LOWER THE figure descended the great stairs, steadily, steadily; always verging, like a weight in deep water, to the black gulf at the bottom.
LondonnounUS /ˈlʌndən/
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading Mr. Gradgrind, apprised of his wife’s decease, made an expedition from London, and buried her in a business-like manner.
Louisa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
LOWERverbUS /ˈloʊər/
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading LOWER AND LOWER THE figure descended the great stairs, steadily, steadily; always verging, like a weight in deep water, to the black gulf at the bottom.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Mr. Gradgrind, apprised of his wife’s decease, made an expedition from London, and buried her in a business-like manner.
maintainedadjectiveUS /meɪnˈteɪnd/
kept in good condition
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
mannernounUS /ˈmænər/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Mr. Gradgrind, apprised of his wife’s decease, made an expedition from London, and buried her in a business-like manner.
meantimenounUS /ˈmiːntaɪm/
the time between one event, process, or period and another
From this reading In the meantime, Mrs. Sparsit kept unwinking watch and ward.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Gradgrind, apprised of his wife’s decease, made an expedition from London, and buried her in a business-like manner.
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading In the meantime, Mrs. Sparsit kept unwinking watch and ward.
nationaladjectiveUS /ˈnæʃənəl/
of or relating to or belonging to a nation or country
From this reading He then returned with promptitude to the national cinder-heap, and resumed his sifting for the odds and ends he wanted, and his throwing of the dust about into the eyes of other people who wanted other odds and ends—in fact resumed his parliamentary duties.
nearadverbUS /nɪr/
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
observationnounUS /ˌɑːbzərˈveɪʃən/
the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
oddsnounUS /ɑːdz/
the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring
From this reading He then returned with promptitude to the national cinder-heap, and resumed his sifting for the odds and ends he wanted, and his throwing of the dust about into the eyes of other people who wanted other odds and ends—in fact resumed his parliamentary duties.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mr. Gradgrind, apprised of his wife’s decease, made an expedition from London, and buried her in a business-like manner.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He then returned with promptitude to the national cinder-heap, and resumed his sifting for the odds and ends he wanted, and his throwing of the dust about into the eyes of other people who wanted other odds and ends—in fact resumed his parliamentary duties.
outsidesnounUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪdz/
plural of “outside” — the region that is outside of something
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
packetsnounUS /ˈpækɪts/
plural of “packet” — a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
parliamentaryadjectiveUS /ˌpɑːrləˈmentəri/
relating to or having the nature of a parliament
From this reading He then returned with promptitude to the national cinder-heap, and resumed his sifting for the odds and ends he wanted, and his throwing of the dust about into the eyes of other people who wanted other odds and ends—in fact resumed his parliamentary duties.
peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading He then returned with promptitude to the national cinder-heap, and resumed his sifting for the odds and ends he wanted, and his throwing of the dust about into the eyes of other people who wanted other odds and ends—in fact resumed his parliamentary duties.
promptitudenoun
the characteristic of doing things without delay
From this reading He then returned with promptitude to the national cinder-heap, and resumed his sifting for the odds and ends he wanted, and his throwing of the dust about into the eyes of other people who wanted other odds and ends—in fact resumed his parliamentary duties.
resumedverbUS /rɪˈzuːmd/
past form of “resume” — take up or begin anew
From this reading He then returned with promptitude to the national cinder-heap, and resumed his sifting for the odds and ends he wanted, and his throwing of the dust about into the eyes of other people who wanted other odds and ends—in fact resumed his parliamentary duties.
returnedverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrnd/
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading He then returned with promptitude to the national cinder-heap, and resumed his sifting for the odds and ends he wanted, and his throwing of the dust about into the eyes of other people who wanted other odds and ends—in fact resumed his parliamentary duties.
roadnounUS /roʊd/
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
SeparatedadjectiveUS /ˈsepəreɪtɪd/
being or feeling set or kept apart from others
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
siftingnounUS /ˈsɪftɪŋ/
the act of separating grain from chaff
From this reading He then returned with promptitude to the national cinder-heap, and resumed his sifting for the odds and ends he wanted, and his throwing of the dust about into the eyes of other people who wanted other odds and ends—in fact resumed his parliamentary duties.
Sparsit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the meantime, Mrs. Sparsit kept unwinking watch and ward.
staircasenounUS /ˈsterkeɪs/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
stairsnounUS /sterz/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading LOWER AND LOWER THE figure descended the great stairs, steadily, steadily; always verging, like a weight in deep water, to the black gulf at the bottom.
steadilyadverbUS /ˈstedəli/
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading LOWER AND LOWER THE figure descended the great stairs, steadily, steadily; always verging, like a weight in deep water, to the black gulf at the bottom.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading LOWER AND LOWER THE figure descended the great stairs, steadily, steadily; always verging, like a weight in deep water, to the black gulf at the bottom.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He then returned with promptitude to the national cinder-heap, and resumed his sifting for the odds and ends he wanted, and his throwing of the dust about into the eyes of other people who wanted other odds and ends—in fact resumed his parliamentary duties.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
throwingverbUS /ˈθroʊɪŋ/
-ing form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading He then returned with promptitude to the national cinder-heap, and resumed his sifting for the odds and ends he wanted, and his throwing of the dust about into the eyes of other people who wanted other odds and ends—in fact resumed his parliamentary duties.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading LOWER AND LOWER THE figure descended the great stairs, steadily, steadily; always verging, like a weight in deep water, to the black gulf at the bottom.
unwinking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the meantime, Mrs. Sparsit kept unwinking watch and ward.
vergingverbUS /ˈvɜːrdʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “verge” — border on; come close to
From this reading LOWER AND LOWER THE figure descended the great stairs, steadily, steadily; always verging, like a weight in deep water, to the black gulf at the bottom.
wantedadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːntɪd/
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading He then returned with promptitude to the national cinder-heap, and resumed his sifting for the odds and ends he wanted, and his throwing of the dust about into the eyes of other people who wanted other odds and ends—in fact resumed his parliamentary duties.
wardnounUS /wɔːrd/
a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another
From this reading In the meantime, Mrs. Sparsit kept unwinking watch and ward.
watchverbUS /wɑːtʃ/
look attentively
From this reading In the meantime, Mrs. Sparsit kept unwinking watch and ward.
waternounUS /ˈwɔːtər/
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading LOWER AND LOWER THE figure descended the great stairs, steadily, steadily; always verging, like a weight in deep water, to the black gulf at the bottom.
weeknounUS /wiːk/
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
weightnounUS /weɪt/
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading LOWER AND LOWER THE figure descended the great stairs, steadily, steadily; always verging, like a weight in deep water, to the black gulf at the bottom.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He then returned with promptitude to the national cinder-heap, and resumed his sifting for the odds and ends he wanted, and his throwing of the dust about into the eyes of other people who wanted other odds and ends—in fact resumed his parliamentary duties.
wife'snounUS /waɪfs/
possessive form of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Mr. Gradgrind, apprised of his wife’s decease, made an expedition from London, and buried her in a business-like manner.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He then returned with promptitude to the national cinder-heap, and resumed his sifting for the odds and ends he wanted, and his throwing of the dust about into the eyes of other people who wanted other odds and ends—in fact resumed his parliamentary duties.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Separated from her staircase, all the week, by the length of iron road dividing Coketown from the country house, she yet maintained her cat-like observation of Louisa, through her husband, through her brother, through James Harthouse, through the outsides of letters and packets, through everything animate and inanimate that at any time went near the stairs.
