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 He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
BEARDSLEY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BEARDSLEY BETRAYS HIMSELF.
beds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.
Belle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
BETRAYS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BEARDSLEY BETRAYS HIMSELF.
boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
care
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
companion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There was literally nothing he could do--at least that he _wanted_ to do.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
deal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading There was literally nothing he could do--at least that he _wanted_ to do.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.
drag
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.
exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
exciting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.
Fairy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
flower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
Gray's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.
grew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.
hardest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was literally nothing he could do--at least that he _wanted_ to do.
heavily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.
HIMSELFpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading BEARDSLEY BETRAYS HIMSELF.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
hung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.
Julius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.
learned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was literally nothing he could do--at least that he _wanted_ to do.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
literally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was literally nothing he could do--at least that he _wanted_ to do.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
lounge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
Marcy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
mother's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
neighboring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
NevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.
newspapers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading There was literally nothing he could do--at least that he _wanted_ to do.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
period
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.
planters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
pottering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
sailing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
settlement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.
shirk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
spent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was literally nothing he could do--at least that he _wanted_ to do.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was literally nothing he could do--at least that he _wanted_ to do.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was literally nothing he could do--at least that he _wanted_ to do.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
visiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was literally nothing he could do--at least that he _wanted_ to do.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was literally nothing he could do--at least that he _wanted_ to do.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.
weary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.
write
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.
