adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As the reader has seen, his school-days were few in number, and as he told Mr. Majors, in signing his first contract with him, he could use a rifle better than a pen.
acquiringnounUS /əˈkwaɪrɪŋ/
the act of acquiring something
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
actionnounUS /ˈækʃən/
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
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 "Life is too short," said he, "to make big letters when small ones will do; and as for punctuation, if my readers don't know enough to take their breath without those little marks, they'll have to lose it, that's all."
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As the reader has seen, his school-days were few in number, and as he told Mr. Majors, in signing his first contract with him, he could use a rifle better than a pen.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the reader has seen, his school-days were few in number, and as he told Mr. Majors, in signing his first contract with him, he could use a rifle better than a pen.
attentionnounUS /əˈtenʃən/
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading His attention was directed to these shortcomings, but Western life had cultivated a disdain for petty things.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading As the reader has seen, his school-days were few in number, and as he told Mr. Majors, in signing his first contract with him, he could use a rifle better than a pen.
bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Life is too short," said he, "to make big letters when small ones will do; and as for punctuation, if my readers don't know enough to take their breath without those little marks, they'll have to lose it, that's all."
breathnounUS /breθ/
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading "Life is too short," said he, "to make big letters when small ones will do; and as for punctuation, if my readers don't know enough to take their breath without those little marks, they'll have to lose it, that's all."
brother'snounUS /ˈbrʌðərz/
possessive form of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading IT was during this period of his life that my brother's first literary venture was made.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His attention was directed to these shortcomings, but Western life had cultivated a disdain for petty things.
capitalsnounUS /ˈkæpətəlz/
plural of “capital” — assets available for use in the production of further assets
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
constantadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnstənt/
unvarying in nature
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
contractverbUS /ˈkɑːntrækt/
enter into a contractual arrangement
From this reading As the reader has seen, his school-days were few in number, and as he told Mr. Majors, in signing his first contract with him, he could use a rifle better than a pen.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As the reader has seen, his school-days were few in number, and as he told Mr. Majors, in signing his first contract with him, he could use a rifle better than a pen.
cultivatedadjectiveUS /ˈkʌltəveɪtɪd/
(of land or fields) prepared for raising crops by plowing or fertilizing
From this reading His attention was directed to these shortcomings, but Western life had cultivated a disdain for petty things.
destituteadjectiveUS /ˈdestətuːt/
poor enough to need help from others
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
directedadjectiveUS /dərˈektəd/
(often used in combination) having a specified direction
From this reading His attention was directed to these shortcomings, but Western life had cultivated a disdain for petty things.
disdainverbUS /dɪsˈdeɪn/
look down on with disdain
From this reading His attention was directed to these shortcomings, but Western life had cultivated a disdain for petty things.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Life is too short," said he, "to make big letters when small ones will do; and as for punctuation, if my readers don't know enough to take their breath without those little marks, they'll have to lose it, that's all."
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Life is too short," said he, "to make big letters when small ones will do; and as for punctuation, if my readers don't know enough to take their breath without those little marks, they'll have to lose it, that's all."
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading IT was during this period of his life that my brother's first literary venture was made.
educationnounUS /ˌedʒəˈkeɪʃən/
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading "Life is too short," said he, "to make big letters when small ones will do; and as for punctuation, if my readers don't know enough to take their breath without those little marks, they'll have to lose it, that's all."
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading As the reader has seen, his school-days were few in number, and as he told Mr. Majors, in signing his first contract with him, he could use a rifle better than a pen.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading IT was during this period of his life that my brother's first literary venture was made.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
frontiernounUS /frənˈtɪr/
a wilderness at the edge of a settled area of a country
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His attention was directed to these shortcomings, but Western life had cultivated a disdain for petty things.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As the reader has seen, his school-days were few in number, and as he told Mr. Majors, in signing his first contract with him, he could use a rifle better than a pen.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Life is too short," said he, "to make big letters when small ones will do; and as for punctuation, if my readers don't know enough to take their breath without those little marks, they'll have to lose it, that's all."
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As the reader has seen, his school-days were few in number, and as he told Mr. Majors, in signing his first contract with him, he could use a rifle better than a pen.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As the reader has seen, his school-days were few in number, and as he told Mr. Majors, in signing his first contract with him, he could use a rifle better than a pen.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading IT was during this period of his life that my brother's first literary venture was made.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Life is too short," said he, "to make big letters when small ones will do; and as for punctuation, if my readers don't know enough to take their breath without those little marks, they'll have to lose it, that's all."
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As the reader has seen, his school-days were few in number, and as he told Mr. Majors, in signing his first contract with him, he could use a rifle better than a pen.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
ITpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IT was during this period of his life that my brother's first literary venture was made.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "Life is too short," said he, "to make big letters when small ones will do; and as for punctuation, if my readers don't know enough to take their breath without those little marks, they'll have to lose it, that's all."
leaveverbUS /liːv/
go away from a place
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
lettersnounUS /ˈletərz/
the literary culture
From this reading "Life is too short," said he, "to make big letters when small ones will do; and as for punctuation, if my readers don't know enough to take their breath without those little marks, they'll have to lose it, that's all."
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading IT was during this period of his life that my brother's first literary venture was made.
literaryadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəreri/
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading IT was during this period of his life that my brother's first literary venture was made.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Life is too short," said he, "to make big letters when small ones will do; and as for punctuation, if my readers don't know enough to take their breath without those little marks, they'll have to lose it, that's all."
loseverbUS /luːz/
fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading "Life is too short," said he, "to make big letters when small ones will do; and as for punctuation, if my readers don't know enough to take their breath without those little marks, they'll have to lose it, that's all."
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading IT was during this period of his life that my brother's first literary venture was made.
MajorsnounUS /ˈmeɪdʒərz/
the most important league in any sport (especially baseball)
From this reading As the reader has seen, his school-days were few in number, and as he told Mr. Majors, in signing his first contract with him, he could use a rifle better than a pen.
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading "Life is too short," said he, "to make big letters when small ones will do; and as for punctuation, if my readers don't know enough to take their breath without those little marks, they'll have to lose it, that's all."
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
marksnounUS /mɑːrks/
English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)
From this reading "Life is too short," said he, "to make big letters when small ones will do; and as for punctuation, if my readers don't know enough to take their breath without those little marks, they'll have to lose it, that's all."
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading As the reader has seen, his school-days were few in number, and as he told Mr. Majors, in signing his first contract with him, he could use a rifle better than a pen.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading IT was during this period of his life that my brother's first literary venture was made.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
numbernounUS /ˈnʌmbər/
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading As the reader has seen, his school-days were few in number, and as he told Mr. Majors, in signing his first contract with him, he could use a rifle better than a pen.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IT was during this period of his life that my brother's first literary venture was made.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
onesnounUS /wʌnz/
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading "Life is too short," said he, "to make big letters when small ones will do; and as for punctuation, if my readers don't know enough to take their breath without those little marks, they'll have to lose it, that's all."
pennounUS /pen/
a writing implement with a point from which ink flows
From this reading As the reader has seen, his school-days were few in number, and as he told Mr. Majors, in signing his first contract with him, he could use a rifle better than a pen.
periodnounUS /ˈpɪriəd/
an amount of time
From this reading IT was during this period of his life that my brother's first literary venture was made.
pettyadjectiveUS /ˈpetiː/
inferior in rank or status
From this reading His attention was directed to these shortcomings, but Western life had cultivated a disdain for petty things.
placesnounUS /ˈpleɪsəz/
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
publicationnounUS /ˌpʌblɪˈkeɪʃən/
a copy of a printed work offered for distribution
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
punctuationnounUS /ˌpʌŋktʃuːˈeɪʃən/
something that makes repeated and regular interruptions or divisions
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
readernounUS /ˈriːdər/
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading As the reader has seen, his school-days were few in number, and as he told Mr. Majors, in signing his first contract with him, he could use a rifle better than a pen.
readersnounUS /ˈriːdərz/
plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading
From this reading "Life is too short," said he, "to make big letters when small ones will do; and as for punctuation, if my readers don't know enough to take their breath without those little marks, they'll have to lose it, that's all."
rifleverbUS /ˈraɪfəl/
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading As the reader has seen, his school-days were few in number, and as he told Mr. Majors, in signing his first contract with him, he could use a rifle better than a pen.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Life is too short," said he, "to make big letters when small ones will do; and as for punctuation, if my readers don't know enough to take their breath without those little marks, they'll have to lose it, that's all."
school-days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the reader has seen, his school-days were few in number, and as he told Mr. Majors, in signing his first contract with him, he could use a rifle better than a pen.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading As the reader has seen, his school-days were few in number, and as he told Mr. Majors, in signing his first contract with him, he could use a rifle better than a pen.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
shortcomingsnounUS /ˈʃɔːrtkʌmɪŋz/
plural of “shortcoming” — a failing or deficiency
From this reading His attention was directed to these shortcomings, but Western life had cultivated a disdain for petty things.
signingnounUS /ˈsaɪnɪŋ/
language expressed by visible hand gestures
From this reading As the reader has seen, his school-days were few in number, and as he told Mr. Majors, in signing his first contract with him, he could use a rifle better than a pen.
sketchnounUS /sketʃ/
preliminary drawing for later elaboration
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Life is too short," said he, "to make big letters when small ones will do; and as for punctuation, if my readers don't know enough to take their breath without those little marks, they'll have to lose it, that's all."
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
takeverbUS /teɪk/
carry out
From this reading "Life is too short," said he, "to make big letters when small ones will do; and as for punctuation, if my readers don't know enough to take their breath without those little marks, they'll have to lose it, that's all."
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading As the reader has seen, his school-days were few in number, and as he told Mr. Majors, in signing his first contract with him, he could use a rifle better than a pen.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading IT was during this period of his life that my brother's first literary venture was made.
that's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Life is too short," said he, "to make big letters when small ones will do; and as for punctuation, if my readers don't know enough to take their breath without those little marks, they'll have to lose it, that's all."
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As the reader has seen, his school-days were few in number, and as he told Mr. Majors, in signing his first contract with him, he could use a rifle better than a pen.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading "Life is too short," said he, "to make big letters when small ones will do; and as for punctuation, if my readers don't know enough to take their breath without those little marks, they'll have to lose it, that's all."
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading His attention was directed to these shortcomings, but Western life had cultivated a disdain for petty things.
they'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Life is too short," said he, "to make big letters when small ones will do; and as for punctuation, if my readers don't know enough to take their breath without those little marks, they'll have to lose it, that's all."
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading His attention was directed to these shortcomings, but Western life had cultivated a disdain for petty things.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading IT was during this period of his life that my brother's first literary venture was made.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading "Life is too short," said he, "to make big letters when small ones will do; and as for punctuation, if my readers don't know enough to take their breath without those little marks, they'll have to lose it, that's all."
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His attention was directed to these shortcomings, but Western life had cultivated a disdain for petty things.
toldverbUS /toʊld/
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading As the reader has seen, his school-days were few in number, and as he told Mr. Majors, in signing his first contract with him, he could use a rifle better than a pen.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading "Life is too short," said he, "to make big letters when small ones will do; and as for punctuation, if my readers don't know enough to take their breath without those little marks, they'll have to lose it, that's all."
usenounUS /juːs/
the act of using
From this reading As the reader has seen, his school-days were few in number, and as he told Mr. Majors, in signing his first contract with him, he could use a rifle better than a pen.
venturenounUS /ˈventʃər/
any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome
From this reading IT was during this period of his life that my brother's first literary venture was made.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IT was during this period of his life that my brother's first literary venture was made.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As the reader has seen, his school-days were few in number, and as he told Mr. Majors, in signing his first contract with him, he could use a rifle better than a pen.
WesternadjectiveUS /ˈwestərn/
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading His attention was directed to these shortcomings, but Western life had cultivated a disdain for petty things.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading "Life is too short," said he, "to make big letters when small ones will do; and as for punctuation, if my readers don't know enough to take their breath without those little marks, they'll have to lose it, that's all."
Willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading As the reader has seen, his school-days were few in number, and as he told Mr. Majors, in signing his first contract with him, he could use a rifle better than a pen.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading "Life is too short," said he, "to make big letters when small ones will do; and as for punctuation, if my readers don't know enough to take their breath without those little marks, they'll have to lose it, that's all."
wondernounUS /ˈwʌndər/
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
wroteverbUS /roʊt/
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading A life of constant action on the frontier does not leave a man much time for acquiring an education; so it is no great wonder that the first sketch Will wrote for publication was destitute of punctuation and short of capitals in many places.
