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 Mou-Setse grew up to be a man, with a very fixed purpose in his heart.
accomplishment
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From this reading All his thoughts and all his desires were bent on its accomplishment; but, as I said before, he was reserved, and never spoke of this thought of his inmost heart to human being.
account
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From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
addressed
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From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
All
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From this reading All his thoughts and all his desires were bent on its accomplishment; but, as I said before, he was reserved, and never spoke of this thought of his inmost heart to human being.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading All his thoughts and all his desires were bent on its accomplishment; but, as I said before, he was reserved, and never spoke of this thought of his inmost heart to human being.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading All his thoughts and all his desires were bent on its accomplishment; but, as I said before, he was reserved, and never spoke of this thought of his inmost heart to human being.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Mou-Setse grew up to be a man, with a very fixed purpose in his heart.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading All his thoughts and all his desires were bent on its accomplishment; but, as I said before, he was reserved, and never spoke of this thought of his inmost heart to human being.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading All his thoughts and all his desires were bent on its accomplishment; but, as I said before, he was reserved, and never spoke of this thought of his inmost heart to human being.
bent
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From this reading All his thoughts and all his desires were bent on its accomplishment; but, as I said before, he was reserved, and never spoke of this thought of his inmost heart to human being.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
bravery
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From this reading He was by no means, however, wanting in bravery, as a little incident once showed.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It brought out, however, marked characteristics in his face, and those who knew him well often spoke of the fire and earnestness in his eyes.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading All his thoughts and all his desires were bent on its accomplishment; but, as I said before, he was reserved, and never spoke of this thought of his inmost heart to human being.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He was by no means, however, wanting in bravery, as a little incident once showed.
captainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
characteristics
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It brought out, however, marked characteristics in his face, and those who knew him well often spoke of the fire and earnestness in his eyes.
colour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
crewnounUS /crew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
desires
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All his thoughts and all his desires were bent on its accomplishment; but, as I said before, he was reserved, and never spoke of this thought of his inmost heart to human being.
earnestness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It brought out, however, marked characteristics in his face, and those who knew him well often spoke of the fire and earnestness in his eyes.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It brought out, however, marked characteristics in his face, and those who knew him well often spoke of the fire and earnestness in his eyes.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It brought out, however, marked characteristics in his face, and those who knew him well often spoke of the fire and earnestness in his eyes.
favourite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It brought out, however, marked characteristics in his face, and those who knew him well often spoke of the fire and earnestness in his eyes.
fixed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mou-Setse grew up to be a man, with a very fixed purpose in his heart.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
grew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mou-Setse grew up to be a man, with a very fixed purpose in his heart.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading All his thoughts and all his desires were bent on its accomplishment; but, as I said before, he was reserved, and never spoke of this thought of his inmost heart to human being.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mou-Setse grew up to be a man, with a very fixed purpose in his heart.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It brought out, however, marked characteristics in his face, and those who knew him well often spoke of the fire and earnestness in his eyes.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mou-Setse grew up to be a man, with a very fixed purpose in his heart.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading It brought out, however, marked characteristics in his face, and those who knew him well often spoke of the fire and earnestness in his eyes.
human
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All his thoughts and all his desires were bent on its accomplishment; but, as I said before, he was reserved, and never spoke of this thought of his inmost heart to human being.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading All his thoughts and all his desires were bent on its accomplishment; but, as I said before, he was reserved, and never spoke of this thought of his inmost heart to human being.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mou-Setse grew up to be a man, with a very fixed purpose in his heart.
incident
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was by no means, however, wanting in bravery, as a little incident once showed.
inmost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All his thoughts and all his desires were bent on its accomplishment; but, as I said before, he was reserved, and never spoke of this thought of his inmost heart to human being.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It brought out, however, marked characteristics in his face, and those who knew him well often spoke of the fire and earnestness in his eyes.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading All his thoughts and all his desires were bent on its accomplishment; but, as I said before, he was reserved, and never spoke of this thought of his inmost heart to human being.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It brought out, however, marked characteristics in his face, and those who knew him well often spoke of the fire and earnestness in his eyes.
lips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was by no means, however, wanting in bravery, as a little incident once showed.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mou-Setse grew up to be a man, with a very fixed purpose in his heart.
marked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It brought out, however, marked characteristics in his face, and those who knew him well often spoke of the fire and earnestness in his eyes.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was by no means, however, wanting in bravery, as a little incident once showed.
missionaries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
Mou-Setse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mou-Setse grew up to be a man, with a very fixed purpose in his heart.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading All his thoughts and all his desires were bent on its accomplishment; but, as I said before, he was reserved, and never spoke of this thought of his inmost heart to human being.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading All his thoughts and all his desires were bent on its accomplishment; but, as I said before, he was reserved, and never spoke of this thought of his inmost heart to human being.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It brought out, however, marked characteristics in his face, and those who knew him well often spoke of the fire and earnestness in his eyes.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading All his thoughts and all his desires were bent on its accomplishment; but, as I said before, he was reserved, and never spoke of this thought of his inmost heart to human being.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was by no means, however, wanting in bravery, as a little incident once showed.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It brought out, however, marked characteristics in his face, and those who knew him well often spoke of the fire and earnestness in his eyes.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
purpose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mou-Setse grew up to be a man, with a very fixed purpose in his heart.
reserved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All his thoughts and all his desires were bent on its accomplishment; but, as I said before, he was reserved, and never spoke of this thought of his inmost heart to human being.
retort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
rude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All his thoughts and all his desires were bent on its accomplishment; but, as I said before, he was reserved, and never spoke of this thought of his inmost heart to human being.
sailor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
showed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was by no means, however, wanting in bravery, as a little incident once showed.
skin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
spoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All his thoughts and all his desires were bent on its accomplishment; but, as I said before, he was reserved, and never spoke of this thought of his inmost heart to human being.
supposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It brought out, however, marked characteristics in his face, and those who knew him well often spoke of the fire and earnestness in his eyes.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading All his thoughts and all his desires were bent on its accomplishment; but, as I said before, he was reserved, and never spoke of this thought of his inmost heart to human being.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It brought out, however, marked characteristics in his face, and those who knew him well often spoke of the fire and earnestness in his eyes.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading All his thoughts and all his desires were bent on its accomplishment; but, as I said before, he was reserved, and never spoke of this thought of his inmost heart to human being.
thoughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All his thoughts and all his desires were bent on its accomplishment; but, as I said before, he was reserved, and never spoke of this thought of his inmost heart to human being.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mou-Setse grew up to be a man, with a very fixed purpose in his heart.
treated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mou-Setse grew up to be a man, with a very fixed purpose in his heart.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mou-Setse grew up to be a man, with a very fixed purpose in his heart.
wanting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was by no means, however, wanting in bravery, as a little incident once showed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading All his thoughts and all his desires were bent on its accomplishment; but, as I said before, he was reserved, and never spoke of this thought of his inmost heart to human being.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It brought out, however, marked characteristics in his face, and those who knew him well often spoke of the fire and earnestness in his eyes.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading All his thoughts and all his desires were bent on its accomplishment; but, as I said before, he was reserved, and never spoke of this thought of his inmost heart to human being.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It brought out, however, marked characteristics in his face, and those who knew him well often spoke of the fire and earnestness in his eyes.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mou-Setse grew up to be a man, with a very fixed purpose in his heart.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a sailor, he was a favourite with the crew and with the captain--that is, he was as great a favourite as any boy with a black skin could be, for it must not be supposed that all white people were as kind to him as the good missionaries; but, on the whole, he was well treated, and no rude words addressed to him on account of his colour brought a retort from his lips.
