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 When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
almost
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From this reading That anyone should come and ask him for work, instead of his asking them, was in itself a singular matter for surprise and congratulation; that the request should be based on the avowed ground of his known political and social opinions was almost incredible.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
anyonepronounUS /ˈeniwʌn/
any person at all
From this reading That anyone should come and ask him for work, instead of his asking them, was in itself a singular matter for surprise and congratulation; that the request should be based on the avowed ground of his known political and social opinions was almost incredible.
appropriate
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From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Ernest felt that it was a triumph, not only for him, but for his dearly-loved principles and beliefs as well.
ask
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From this reading That anyone should come and ask him for work, instead of his asking them, was in itself a singular matter for surprise and congratulation; that the request should be based on the avowed ground of his known political and social opinions was almost incredible.
asking
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From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
avowed
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From this reading That anyone should come and ask him for work, instead of his asking them, was in itself a singular matter for surprise and congratulation; that the request should be based on the avowed ground of his known political and social opinions was almost incredible.
based
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From this reading That anyone should come and ask him for work, instead of his asking them, was in itself a singular matter for surprise and congratulation; that the request should be based on the avowed ground of his known political and social opinions was almost incredible.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading That anyone should come and ask him for work, instead of his asking them, was in itself a singular matter for surprise and congratulation; that the request should be based on the avowed ground of his known political and social opinions was almost incredible.
beliefs
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From this reading Ernest felt that it was a triumph, not only for him, but for his dearly-loved principles and beliefs as well.
Breton
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From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
business
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From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Ernest felt that it was a triumph, not only for him, but for his dearly-loved principles and beliefs as well.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That anyone should come and ask him for work, instead of his asking them, was in itself a singular matter for surprise and congratulation; that the request should be based on the avowed ground of his known political and social opinions was almost incredible.
congratulation
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From this reading That anyone should come and ask him for work, instead of his asking them, was in itself a singular matter for surprise and congratulation; that the request should be based on the avowed ground of his known political and social opinions was almost incredible.
consent
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From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
considered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in his life, he was going to undertake a piece of work which he not only thought not wrong, but even considered hopeful and praise-worthy.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
dearly-loved
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From this reading Ernest felt that it was a triumph, not only for him, but for his dearly-loved principles and beliefs as well.
delight
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From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
Ernest
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From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For the first time in his life, he was going to undertake a piece of work which he not only thought not wrong, but even considered hopeful and praise-worthy.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ernest felt that it was a triumph, not only for him, but for his dearly-loved principles and beliefs as well.
firm
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From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For the first time in his life, he was going to undertake a piece of work which he not only thought not wrong, but even considered hopeful and praise-worthy.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in his life, he was going to undertake a piece of work which he not only thought not wrong, but even considered hopeful and praise-worthy.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That anyone should come and ask him for work, instead of his asking them, was in itself a singular matter for surprise and congratulation; that the request should be based on the avowed ground of his known political and social opinions was almost incredible.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
hopeful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in his life, he was going to undertake a piece of work which he not only thought not wrong, but even considered hopeful and praise-worthy.
house
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From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
illustrated
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From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
incredible
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From this reading That anyone should come and ask him for work, instead of his asking them, was in itself a singular matter for surprise and congratulation; that the request should be based on the avowed ground of his known political and social opinions was almost incredible.
instead
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From this reading That anyone should come and ask him for work, instead of his asking them, was in itself a singular matter for surprise and congratulation; that the request should be based on the avowed ground of his known political and social opinions was almost incredible.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Ernest felt that it was a triumph, not only for him, but for his dearly-loved principles and beliefs as well.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading That anyone should come and ask him for work, instead of his asking them, was in itself a singular matter for surprise and congratulation; that the request should be based on the avowed ground of his known political and social opinions was almost incredible.
known
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From this reading That anyone should come and ask him for work, instead of his asking them, was in itself a singular matter for surprise and congratulation; that the request should be based on the avowed ground of his known political and social opinions was almost incredible.
Le
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From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
letter
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From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
letterpress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For the first time in his life, he was going to undertake a piece of work which he not only thought not wrong, but even considered hopeful and praise-worthy.
London
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From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That anyone should come and ask him for work, instead of his asking them, was in itself a singular matter for surprise and congratulation; that the request should be based on the avowed ground of his known political and social opinions was almost incredible.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Ernest felt that it was a triumph, not only for him, but for his dearly-loved principles and beliefs as well.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ernest felt that it was a triumph, not only for him, but for his dearly-loved principles and beliefs as well.
opinions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That anyone should come and ask him for work, instead of his asking them, was in itself a singular matter for surprise and congratulation; that the request should be based on the avowed ground of his known political and social opinions was almost incredible.
piece
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in his life, he was going to undertake a piece of work which he not only thought not wrong, but even considered hopeful and praise-worthy.
political
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That anyone should come and ask him for work, instead of his asking them, was in itself a singular matter for surprise and congratulation; that the request should be based on the avowed ground of his known political and social opinions was almost incredible.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
positively
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From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
praise-worthy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in his life, he was going to undertake a piece of work which he not only thought not wrong, but even considered hopeful and praise-worthy.
preparation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
principles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ernest felt that it was a triumph, not only for him, but for his dearly-loved principles and beliefs as well.
publishing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/
a feeling of comfort after worry or pain
From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
request
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That anyone should come and ask him for work, instead of his asking them, was in itself a singular matter for surprise and congratulation; that the request should be based on the avowed ground of his known political and social opinions was almost incredible.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading That anyone should come and ask him for work, instead of his asking them, was in itself a singular matter for surprise and congratulation; that the request should be based on the avowed ground of his known political and social opinions was almost incredible.
singular
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From this reading That anyone should come and ask him for work, instead of his asking them, was in itself a singular matter for surprise and congratulation; that the request should be based on the avowed ground of his known political and social opinions was almost incredible.
social
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That anyone should come and ask him for work, instead of his asking them, was in itself a singular matter for surprise and congratulation; that the request should be based on the avowed ground of his known political and social opinions was almost incredible.
supply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That anyone should come and ask him for work, instead of his asking them, was in itself a singular matter for surprise and congratulation; that the request should be based on the avowed ground of his known political and social opinions was almost incredible.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That anyone should come and ask him for work, instead of his asking them, was in itself a singular matter for surprise and congratulation; that the request should be based on the avowed ground of his known political and social opinions was almost incredible.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TIDE TURNS.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading That anyone should come and ask him for work, instead of his asking them, was in itself a singular matter for surprise and congratulation; that the request should be based on the avowed ground of his known political and social opinions was almost incredible.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For the first time in his life, he was going to undertake a piece of work which he not only thought not wrong, but even considered hopeful and praise-worthy.
TIDE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TIDE TURNS.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For the first time in his life, he was going to undertake a piece of work which he not only thought not wrong, but even considered hopeful and praise-worthy.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
triumph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ernest felt that it was a triumph, not only for him, but for his dearly-loved principles and beliefs as well.
TURNS
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From this reading THE TIDE TURNS.
unbounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
undertake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in his life, he was going to undertake a piece of work which he not only thought not wrong, but even considered hopeful and praise-worthy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That anyone should come and ask him for work, instead of his asking them, was in itself a singular matter for surprise and congratulation; that the request should be based on the avowed ground of his known political and social opinions was almost incredible.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ernest felt that it was a triumph, not only for him, but for his dearly-loved principles and beliefs as well.
well-known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For the first time in his life, he was going to undertake a piece of work which he not only thought not wrong, but even considered hopeful and praise-worthy.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading When Ernest Le Breton got a letter from the business house of a well-known publishing firm, asking him whether he would consent to supply appropriate letterpress for an illustrated work on the poor of London, then in course of preparation, his delight and relief were positively unbounded.
wrong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in his life, he was going to undertake a piece of work which he not only thought not wrong, but even considered hopeful and praise-worthy.
