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 It was a beautiful, crisp, clear dawn--the ideal day for a ride; and Will was singing as he worked.
actually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.
anticipation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.
beautiful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a beautiful, crisp, clear dawn--the ideal day for a ride; and Will was singing as he worked.
beaux
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
beforehand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
bid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
bitter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.
brother's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.
buckles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.
busily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
carriage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.
carriages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
cases
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
chances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.
clear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a beautiful, crisp, clear dawn--the ideal day for a ride; and Will was singing as he worked.
clerks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
compete
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
consequence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
crisp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a beautiful, crisp, clear dawn--the ideal day for a ride; and Will was singing as he worked.
cushions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.
customary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.
dawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a beautiful, crisp, clear dawn--the ideal day for a ride; and Will was singing as he worked.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a beautiful, crisp, clear dawn--the ideal day for a ride; and Will was singing as he worked.
demand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.
dictatorial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.
dusting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.
forgiveness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.
furnished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.
grew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.
harnesses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.
higher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.
horses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
ideal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a beautiful, crisp, clear dawn--the ideal day for a ride; and Will was singing as he worked.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.
joyous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.
livery-men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.
mud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
outbid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.
period
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.
polishing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.
prepare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.
real
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.
regained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.
ride
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a beautiful, crisp, clear dawn--the ideal day for a ride; and Will was singing as he worked.
rig
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.
rosettes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.
secured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.
self
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.
shame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.
singing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a beautiful, crisp, clear dawn--the ideal day for a ride; and Will was singing as he worked.
Slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.
surely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.
Thursday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.
top-buggies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.
washing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.
Willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.
worked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a beautiful, crisp, clear dawn--the ideal day for a ride; and Will was singing as he worked.