adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Frank was considered a remarkably well-bred and proper lad, and rather prided himself on his good reputation, for he never got into scrapes like the other fellows.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Once, in trying to investigate the mechanism of a toy specimen, which had its little boiler and ran about whistling and puffing in the most delightful way, he nearly set the house afire by the sparks that dropped on the straw carpet.
afireadjectiveUS /əˈfaɪr/
lighted up by or as by fire or flame
From this reading Once, in trying to investigate the mechanism of a toy specimen, which had its little boiler and ran about whistling and puffing in the most delightful way, he nearly set the house afire by the sparks that dropped on the straw carpet.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Steam-engines had been his idols for years, and they alone could lure him from the path of virtue.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Well, hardly ever, for we must confess that at rare intervals his besetting sin overcame his prudence, and he proved himself an erring, human boy.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The greatest people have their weak points, and the best-behaved boys now and then yield to temptation and get into trouble, as everybody knows.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The greatest people have their weak points, and the best-behaved boys now and then yield to temptation and get into trouble, as everybody knows.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Well, hardly ever, for we must confess that at rare intervals his besetting sin overcame his prudence, and he proved himself an erring, human boy.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Steam-engines had been his idols for years, and they alone could lure him from the path of virtue.
besettingverbUS /bɪˈsetɪŋ/
inflected form of “beset” — annoy continually or chronically
From this reading Well, hardly ever, for we must confess that at rare intervals his besetting sin overcame his prudence, and he proved himself an erring, human boy.
best-behaved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The greatest people have their weak points, and the best-behaved boys now and then yield to temptation and get into trouble, as everybody knows.
boilernounUS /ˈbɔɪlər/
sealed vessel where water is converted to steam
From this reading Once, in trying to investigate the mechanism of a toy specimen, which had its little boiler and ran about whistling and puffing in the most delightful way, he nearly set the house afire by the sparks that dropped on the straw carpet.
boynounUS /bɔɪ/
a youthful male person
From this reading Well, hardly ever, for we must confess that at rare intervals his besetting sin overcame his prudence, and he proved himself an erring, human boy.
boysnounUS /bɔɪz/
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The greatest people have their weak points, and the best-behaved boys now and then yield to temptation and get into trouble, as everybody knows.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Once, in trying to investigate the mechanism of a toy specimen, which had its little boiler and ran about whistling and puffing in the most delightful way, he nearly set the house afire by the sparks that dropped on the straw carpet.
carpetnounUS /ˈkɑːrpət/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading Once, in trying to investigate the mechanism of a toy specimen, which had its little boiler and ran about whistling and puffing in the most delightful way, he nearly set the house afire by the sparks that dropped on the straw carpet.
confessverbUS /kənˈfes/
confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading Well, hardly ever, for we must confess that at rare intervals his besetting sin overcame his prudence, and he proved himself an erring, human boy.
consideredadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərd/
carefully weighed
From this reading Frank was considered a remarkably well-bred and proper lad, and rather prided himself on his good reputation, for he never got into scrapes like the other fellows.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Steam-engines had been his idols for years, and they alone could lure him from the path of virtue.
delightfuladjectiveUS /dɪˈlaɪtfəl/
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading Once, in trying to investigate the mechanism of a toy specimen, which had its little boiler and ran about whistling and puffing in the most delightful way, he nearly set the house afire by the sparks that dropped on the straw carpet.
droppedverbUS /drɑːpt/
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading Once, in trying to investigate the mechanism of a toy specimen, which had its little boiler and ran about whistling and puffing in the most delightful way, he nearly set the house afire by the sparks that dropped on the straw carpet.
erringadjectiveUS /ˈerɪŋ/
capable of making an error
From this reading Well, hardly ever, for we must confess that at rare intervals his besetting sin overcame his prudence, and he proved himself an erring, human boy.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading Well, hardly ever, for we must confess that at rare intervals his besetting sin overcame his prudence, and he proved himself an erring, human boy.
everybodypronounUS /ˈevribɑːdi/
every person
From this reading The greatest people have their weak points, and the best-behaved boys now and then yield to temptation and get into trouble, as everybody knows.
fellowsnounUS /ˈfeloʊz/
plural of “fellow” — a boy or man
From this reading Frank was considered a remarkably well-bred and proper lad, and rather prided himself on his good reputation, for he never got into scrapes like the other fellows.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Frank was considered a remarkably well-bred and proper lad, and rather prided himself on his good reputation, for he never got into scrapes like the other fellows.
FrankadjectiveUS /fræŋk/
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading Frank was considered a remarkably well-bred and proper lad, and rather prided himself on his good reputation, for he never got into scrapes like the other fellows.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Steam-engines had been his idols for years, and they alone could lure him from the path of virtue.
getverbUS /ɡet/
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading The greatest people have their weak points, and the best-behaved boys now and then yield to temptation and get into trouble, as everybody knows.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Frank was considered a remarkably well-bred and proper lad, and rather prided himself on his good reputation, for he never got into scrapes like the other fellows.
gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Frank was considered a remarkably well-bred and proper lad, and rather prided himself on his good reputation, for he never got into scrapes like the other fellows.
greatestadjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtəst/
highest in quality
From this reading The greatest people have their weak points, and the best-behaved boys now and then yield to temptation and get into trouble, as everybody knows.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Steam-engines had been his idols for years, and they alone could lure him from the path of virtue.
hardlyadverbUS /ˈhɑːrdli/
only a very short time before
From this reading Well, hardly ever, for we must confess that at rare intervals his besetting sin overcame his prudence, and he proved himself an erring, human boy.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The greatest people have their weak points, and the best-behaved boys now and then yield to temptation and get into trouble, as everybody knows.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Frank was considered a remarkably well-bred and proper lad, and rather prided himself on his good reputation, for he never got into scrapes like the other fellows.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Steam-engines had been his idols for years, and they alone could lure him from the path of virtue.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Frank was considered a remarkably well-bred and proper lad, and rather prided himself on his good reputation, for he never got into scrapes like the other fellows.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Frank was considered a remarkably well-bred and proper lad, and rather prided himself on his good reputation, for he never got into scrapes like the other fellows.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Once, in trying to investigate the mechanism of a toy specimen, which had its little boiler and ran about whistling and puffing in the most delightful way, he nearly set the house afire by the sparks that dropped on the straw carpet.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading Well, hardly ever, for we must confess that at rare intervals his besetting sin overcame his prudence, and he proved himself an erring, human boy.
idolsnounUS /ˈaɪdəlz/
plural of “idol” — a material effigy that is worshipped
From this reading Steam-engines had been his idols for years, and they alone could lure him from the path of virtue.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Once, in trying to investigate the mechanism of a toy specimen, which had its little boiler and ran about whistling and puffing in the most delightful way, he nearly set the house afire by the sparks that dropped on the straw carpet.
intervalsnounUS /ˈɪntərvəlz/
plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading Well, hardly ever, for we must confess that at rare intervals his besetting sin overcame his prudence, and he proved himself an erring, human boy.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The greatest people have their weak points, and the best-behaved boys now and then yield to temptation and get into trouble, as everybody knows.
investigateverbUS /ˌɪnˈvestəɡeɪt/
investigate scientifically
From this reading Once, in trying to investigate the mechanism of a toy specimen, which had its little boiler and ran about whistling and puffing in the most delightful way, he nearly set the house afire by the sparks that dropped on the straw carpet.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Once, in trying to investigate the mechanism of a toy specimen, which had its little boiler and ran about whistling and puffing in the most delightful way, he nearly set the house afire by the sparks that dropped on the straw carpet.
knowsnounUS /noʊz/
plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people
From this reading The greatest people have their weak points, and the best-behaved boys now and then yield to temptation and get into trouble, as everybody knows.
ladnounUS /læd/
a boy or man
From this reading Frank was considered a remarkably well-bred and proper lad, and rather prided himself on his good reputation, for he never got into scrapes like the other fellows.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Frank was considered a remarkably well-bred and proper lad, and rather prided himself on his good reputation, for he never got into scrapes like the other fellows.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Once, in trying to investigate the mechanism of a toy specimen, which had its little boiler and ran about whistling and puffing in the most delightful way, he nearly set the house afire by the sparks that dropped on the straw carpet.
lurenounUS /lʊr/
qualities that attract by seeming to promise some kind of reward
From this reading Steam-engines had been his idols for years, and they alone could lure him from the path of virtue.
mechanismnounUS /ˈmekənɪzəm/
the atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction
From this reading Once, in trying to investigate the mechanism of a toy specimen, which had its little boiler and ran about whistling and puffing in the most delightful way, he nearly set the house afire by the sparks that dropped on the straw carpet.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading Once, in trying to investigate the mechanism of a toy specimen, which had its little boiler and ran about whistling and puffing in the most delightful way, he nearly set the house afire by the sparks that dropped on the straw carpet.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Well, hardly ever, for we must confess that at rare intervals his besetting sin overcame his prudence, and he proved himself an erring, human boy.
nearlyadverbUS /ˈnɪrli/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Once, in trying to investigate the mechanism of a toy specimen, which had its little boiler and ran about whistling and puffing in the most delightful way, he nearly set the house afire by the sparks that dropped on the straw carpet.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Frank was considered a remarkably well-bred and proper lad, and rather prided himself on his good reputation, for he never got into scrapes like the other fellows.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The greatest people have their weak points, and the best-behaved boys now and then yield to temptation and get into trouble, as everybody knows.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Steam-engines had been his idols for years, and they alone could lure him from the path of virtue.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Frank was considered a remarkably well-bred and proper lad, and rather prided himself on his good reputation, for he never got into scrapes like the other fellows.
OnceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading Once, in trying to investigate the mechanism of a toy specimen, which had its little boiler and ran about whistling and puffing in the most delightful way, he nearly set the house afire by the sparks that dropped on the straw carpet.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Frank was considered a remarkably well-bred and proper lad, and rather prided himself on his good reputation, for he never got into scrapes like the other fellows.
overcameverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈkeɪm/
inflected form of “overcome” — win a victory over
From this reading Well, hardly ever, for we must confess that at rare intervals his besetting sin overcame his prudence, and he proved himself an erring, human boy.
pathnounUS /pæθ/
a course of conduct
From this reading Steam-engines had been his idols for years, and they alone could lure him from the path of virtue.
peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading The greatest people have their weak points, and the best-behaved boys now and then yield to temptation and get into trouble, as everybody knows.
pointsnounUS /pɔɪnts/
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The greatest people have their weak points, and the best-behaved boys now and then yield to temptation and get into trouble, as everybody knows.
pridedverbUS /ˈpraɪdɪd/
past form of “pride” — be proud of
From this reading Frank was considered a remarkably well-bred and proper lad, and rather prided himself on his good reputation, for he never got into scrapes like the other fellows.
properadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːpər/
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading Frank was considered a remarkably well-bred and proper lad, and rather prided himself on his good reputation, for he never got into scrapes like the other fellows.
provedadjectiveUS /pruːvd/
established beyond doubt
From this reading Well, hardly ever, for we must confess that at rare intervals his besetting sin overcame his prudence, and he proved himself an erring, human boy.
prudencenounUS /ˈpruːdəns/
discretion in practical affairs
From this reading Well, hardly ever, for we must confess that at rare intervals his besetting sin overcame his prudence, and he proved himself an erring, human boy.
puffingnounUS /ˈpʌfɪŋ/
blowing tobacco smoke out into the air
From this reading Once, in trying to investigate the mechanism of a toy specimen, which had its little boiler and ran about whistling and puffing in the most delightful way, he nearly set the house afire by the sparks that dropped on the straw carpet.
ranverbUS /ræn/
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Once, in trying to investigate the mechanism of a toy specimen, which had its little boiler and ran about whistling and puffing in the most delightful way, he nearly set the house afire by the sparks that dropped on the straw carpet.
rareadjectiveUS /rer/
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading Well, hardly ever, for we must confess that at rare intervals his besetting sin overcame his prudence, and he proved himself an erring, human boy.
ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/
on the contrary
From this reading Frank was considered a remarkably well-bred and proper lad, and rather prided himself on his good reputation, for he never got into scrapes like the other fellows.
remarkablyadverbUS /rɪˈmɑːrkəbli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading Frank was considered a remarkably well-bred and proper lad, and rather prided himself on his good reputation, for he never got into scrapes like the other fellows.
reputationnounUS /ˌrepjəˈteɪʃən/
the state of being held in high esteem and honor
From this reading Frank was considered a remarkably well-bred and proper lad, and rather prided himself on his good reputation, for he never got into scrapes like the other fellows.
scrapesnounUS /skreɪps/
plural of “scrape” — a harsh noise made by scraping
From this reading Frank was considered a remarkably well-bred and proper lad, and rather prided himself on his good reputation, for he never got into scrapes like the other fellows.
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Once, in trying to investigate the mechanism of a toy specimen, which had its little boiler and ran about whistling and puffing in the most delightful way, he nearly set the house afire by the sparks that dropped on the straw carpet.
sinnounUS /sɪn/
estrangement from god
From this reading Well, hardly ever, for we must confess that at rare intervals his besetting sin overcame his prudence, and he proved himself an erring, human boy.
sparksnounUS /spɑːrks/
plural of “spark” — a momentary flash of light
From this reading Once, in trying to investigate the mechanism of a toy specimen, which had its little boiler and ran about whistling and puffing in the most delightful way, he nearly set the house afire by the sparks that dropped on the straw carpet.
specimennounUS /ˈspesəmən/
an example regarded as typical of its class
From this reading Once, in trying to investigate the mechanism of a toy specimen, which had its little boiler and ran about whistling and puffing in the most delightful way, he nearly set the house afire by the sparks that dropped on the straw carpet.
Steam-engines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Steam-engines had been his idols for years, and they alone could lure him from the path of virtue.
strawnounUS /strɔː/
plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder
From this reading Once, in trying to investigate the mechanism of a toy specimen, which had its little boiler and ran about whistling and puffing in the most delightful way, he nearly set the house afire by the sparks that dropped on the straw carpet.
temptationnounUS /temˈteɪʃən/
something that seduces or has the quality to seduce
From this reading The greatest people have their weak points, and the best-behaved boys now and then yield to temptation and get into trouble, as everybody knows.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Well, hardly ever, for we must confess that at rare intervals his besetting sin overcame his prudence, and he proved himself an erring, human boy.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The greatest people have their weak points, and the best-behaved boys now and then yield to temptation and get into trouble, as everybody knows.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The greatest people have their weak points, and the best-behaved boys now and then yield to temptation and get into trouble, as everybody knows.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The greatest people have their weak points, and the best-behaved boys now and then yield to temptation and get into trouble, as everybody knows.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Steam-engines had been his idols for years, and they alone could lure him from the path of virtue.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The greatest people have their weak points, and the best-behaved boys now and then yield to temptation and get into trouble, as everybody knows.
toynounUS /tɔɪ/
an artifact designed to be played with
From this reading Once, in trying to investigate the mechanism of a toy specimen, which had its little boiler and ran about whistling and puffing in the most delightful way, he nearly set the house afire by the sparks that dropped on the straw carpet.
troublenounUS /ˈtrʌbəl/
a source of difficulty
From this reading The greatest people have their weak points, and the best-behaved boys now and then yield to temptation and get into trouble, as everybody knows.
tryingadjectiveUS /ˈtraɪɪŋ/
hard to endure
From this reading Once, in trying to investigate the mechanism of a toy specimen, which had its little boiler and ran about whistling and puffing in the most delightful way, he nearly set the house afire by the sparks that dropped on the straw carpet.
virtuenounUS /ˈvɝː.tʃuː/
Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.
From this reading Steam-engines had been his idols for years, and they alone could lure him from the path of virtue.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Frank was considered a remarkably well-bred and proper lad, and rather prided himself on his good reputation, for he never got into scrapes like the other fellows.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Once, in trying to investigate the mechanism of a toy specimen, which had its little boiler and ran about whistling and puffing in the most delightful way, he nearly set the house afire by the sparks that dropped on the straw carpet.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Well, hardly ever, for we must confess that at rare intervals his besetting sin overcame his prudence, and he proved himself an erring, human boy.
weakadjectiveUS /wiːk/
wanting in physical strength
From this reading The greatest people have their weak points, and the best-behaved boys now and then yield to temptation and get into trouble, as everybody knows.
WelladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Well, hardly ever, for we must confess that at rare intervals his besetting sin overcame his prudence, and he proved himself an erring, human boy.
well-bredadjective
of good upbringing
From this reading Frank was considered a remarkably well-bred and proper lad, and rather prided himself on his good reputation, for he never got into scrapes like the other fellows.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Once, in trying to investigate the mechanism of a toy specimen, which had its little boiler and ran about whistling and puffing in the most delightful way, he nearly set the house afire by the sparks that dropped on the straw carpet.
whistlingnounUS /ˈwɪslɪŋ/
the sound made by something moving rapidly or by steam coming out of a small aperture
From this reading Once, in trying to investigate the mechanism of a toy specimen, which had its little boiler and ran about whistling and puffing in the most delightful way, he nearly set the house afire by the sparks that dropped on the straw carpet.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading Steam-engines had been his idols for years, and they alone could lure him from the path of virtue.
yieldverbUS /jiːld/
be the cause or source of
From this reading The greatest people have their weak points, and the best-behaved boys now and then yield to temptation and get into trouble, as everybody knows.
