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 “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
administering
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From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
advice
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From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
air
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From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
all
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From this reading He handled the banjo and the guitar alternately, and talked all the time when he was not singing.
alternately
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From this reading He handled the banjo and the guitar alternately, and talked all the time when he was not singing.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
audience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
banjo
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From this reading He handled the banjo and the guitar alternately, and talked all the time when he was not singing.
blackenedadjectiveUS /ˈblækənd/
made dark by burning or soot made dark by soot, burning, or black marks
From this reading “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
brazen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
bright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
caliber
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From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
commenting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
company
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
compelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The favorite song, which the crowd compelled her to repeat, touched lightly the uncertainties of love, expressed in the falsetto pathetic refrain:
comrade
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From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
contrast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
correction
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From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
crowd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
deference
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
delicious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
enjoyment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
excitement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
exclaimed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
expressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The favorite song, which the crowd compelled her to repeat, touched lightly the uncertainties of love, expressed in the falsetto pathetic refrain:
falsetto
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From this reading The favorite song, which the crowd compelled her to repeat, touched lightly the uncertainties of love, expressed in the falsetto pathetic refrain:
favorite
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From this reading The favorite song, which the crowd compelled her to repeat, touched lightly the uncertainties of love, expressed in the falsetto pathetic refrain:
featured
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From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
fleeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
gayety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
generally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
glib
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
guitar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He handled the banjo and the guitar alternately, and talked all the time when he was not singing.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
Hampton's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
handled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He handled the banjo and the guitar alternately, and talked all the time when he was not singing.
Happy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
harder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
he's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
hearers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
humor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
impudence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
indifferent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
lightly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The favorite song, which the crowd compelled her to repeat, touched lightly the uncertainties of love, expressed in the falsetto pathetic refrain:
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The favorite song, which the crowd compelled her to repeat, touched lightly the uncertainties of love, expressed in the falsetto pathetic refrain:
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
Mary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
mingling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
Oh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
pathetic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The favorite song, which the crowd compelled her to repeat, touched lightly the uncertainties of love, expressed in the falsetto pathetic refrain:
patronage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
pleasednounUS /ˈpleased/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
promise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
ready
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
refrain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The favorite song, which the crowd compelled her to repeat, touched lightly the uncertainties of love, expressed in the falsetto pathetic refrain:
repeat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The favorite song, which the crowd compelled her to repeat, touched lightly the uncertainties of love, expressed in the falsetto pathetic refrain:
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
risque
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
rollicking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
rude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
sang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
sentiment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
singing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He handled the banjo and the guitar alternately, and talked all the time when he was not singing.
slaves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
solo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
song
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The favorite song, which the crowd compelled her to repeat, touched lightly the uncertainties of love, expressed in the falsetto pathetic refrain:
songs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
spontaneous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
strain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
sustained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
talked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He handled the banjo and the guitar alternately, and talked all the time when he was not singing.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
tonguenounUS /tongue/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
touched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The favorite song, which the crowd compelled her to repeat, touched lightly the uncertainties of love, expressed in the falsetto pathetic refrain:
treble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
uncertainties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The favorite song, which the crowd compelled her to repeat, touched lightly the uncertainties of love, expressed in the falsetto pathetic refrain:
untutored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary (how much harder featured and brazen a woman is in such a position than a man of the same caliber!) sang, in an untutored treble, songs of sentiment, often risque, in solo and in company with John, but with a cold, indifferent air, in contrast to the rollicking enjoyment of her comrade.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
Wade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The favorite song, which the crowd compelled her to repeat, touched lightly the uncertainties of love, expressed in the falsetto pathetic refrain:
wit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Happy John sustained the promise of his name by spontaneous gayety and enjoyment of the fleeting moment; he had a glib tongue and a ready, rude wit, and talked to his audience with a delicious mingling of impudence, deference, and patronage, commenting upon them generally, administering advice and correction in a strain of humor that kept his hearers in a pleased excitement.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
yes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, yes,” exclaimed a bright woman in the crowd, “Happy John was sure enough one of Wade Hampton's slaves, and he's right good looking when he's not blackened up.”
