Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
any
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From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
bee
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From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.
begun
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From this reading Now the warfare of life had fairly begun for little Jerome Edwards.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.
chances
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From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.
clad
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From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
comradesnounUS /ˈkɑːmrædz/
people who share difficult work or danger, especially soldiers
From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.
easy
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From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
Edwards
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From this reading Now the warfare of life had fairly begun for little Jerome Edwards.
enlisted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
existence
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From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.
fairly
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From this reading Now the warfare of life had fairly begun for little Jerome Edwards.
far
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From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
fed
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From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
few
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From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.
file
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Now the warfare of life had fairly begun for little Jerome Edwards.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.
fully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.
gait
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From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Now the warfare of life had fairly begun for little Jerome Edwards.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
heels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.
hollow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.
idle
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From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.
Jerome
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From this reading Now the warfare of life had fairly begun for little Jerome Edwards.
labor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now the warfare of life had fairly begun for little Jerome Edwards.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now the warfare of life had fairly begun for little Jerome Edwards.
living
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.
lose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.
march
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
material
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
Mercury
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From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.
merry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.
more
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From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.
needs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.
Now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now the warfare of life had fairly begun for little Jerome Edwards.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Now the warfare of life had fairly begun for little Jerome Edwards.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
outspeeding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.
pace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
pause
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.
play
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
plight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
ProvidencenounUS /ˈprɑː.və.dəns/
The protective care of God or nature as a spiritual power. (Sự quan phòng, thiên ý phù hộ.)
From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.
race
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.
rank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.
rock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.
sake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.
scantily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.
shear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.
skirtednounUS /ˈskirted/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
snug
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.
soberadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbər/
not affected by alcohol
From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.
sorry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
sport
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.
stern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.
sweets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.
tasteverbUS /teɪst/
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Now the warfare of life had fairly begun for little Jerome Edwards.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.
there
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From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.
thereto
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
toilers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
Up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
Very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.
warfare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now the warfare of life had fairly begun for little Jerome Edwards.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.
wings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
worked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.
youthful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.
