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 Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
able
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
allow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
anxious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since then there had been ten years of anxious, longing grief that had remained unconfessed until this night.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
awful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
bare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
beguiled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
believenounUS /ˈbelieve/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
believed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
bid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
bridal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading However, Davie and his father had both said things that neither could win over, and the lad had gone proudly down the hill with but a few shillings in his pocket.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
childhood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
comforting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
confidencenounUS /ˈconfidence/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading However, Davie and his father had both said things that neither could win over, and the lad had gone proudly down the hill with but a few shillings in his pocket.
Covenanter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
dancing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
Davie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Davie and his father had both said things that neither could win over, and the lad had gone proudly down the hill with but a few shillings in his pocket.
elapsed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
farewell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Davie and his father had both said things that neither could win over, and the lad had gone proudly down the hill with but a few shillings in his pocket.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Davie and his father had both said things that neither could win over, and the lad had gone proudly down the hill with but a few shillings in his pocket.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
follynounUS /ˈfɑːli/
an action or decision that shows a lack of good judgment
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
fond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Davie and his father had both said things that neither could win over, and the lad had gone proudly down the hill with but a few shillings in his pocket.
grief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since then there had been ten years of anxious, longing grief that had remained unconfessed until this night.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
Halliday's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
heart-breaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
hill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Davie and his father had both said things that neither could win over, and the lad had gone proudly down the hill with but a few shillings in his pocket.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
HoweveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, Davie and his father had both said things that neither could win over, and the lad had gone proudly down the hill with but a few shillings in his pocket.
hung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
ignorance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
isolation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
lad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Davie and his father had both said things that neither could win over, and the lad had gone proudly down the hill with but a few shillings in his pocket.
longing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since then there had been ten years of anxious, longing grief that had remained unconfessed until this night.
love-songs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
Mary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
miserable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
mother's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
Mysie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
neck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading However, Davie and his father had both said things that neither could win over, and the lad had gone proudly down the hill with but a few shillings in his pocket.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since then there had been ten years of anxious, longing grief that had remained unconfessed until this night.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading However, Davie and his father had both said things that neither could win over, and the lad had gone proudly down the hill with but a few shillings in his pocket.
plain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
pocket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Davie and his father had both said things that neither could win over, and the lad had gone proudly down the hill with but a few shillings in his pocket.
pretty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
proudly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Davie and his father had both said things that neither could win over, and the lad had gone proudly down the hill with but a few shillings in his pocket.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
remainednounUS /ˈremained/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Since then there had been ten years of anxious, longing grief that had remained unconfessed until this night.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Davie and his father had both said things that neither could win over, and the lad had gone proudly down the hill with but a few shillings in his pocket.
sair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
scenes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
seem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
shillings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Davie and his father had both said things that neither could win over, and the lad had gone proudly down the hill with but a few shillings in his pocket.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
sinful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
singing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
speaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
stern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
strict
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
sweet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
Ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since then there had been ten years of anxious, longing grief that had remained unconfessed until this night.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since then there had been ten years of anxious, longing grief that had remained unconfessed until this night.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Davie and his father had both said things that neither could win over, and the lad had gone proudly down the hill with but a few shillings in his pocket.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
transgressions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
tumble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
unconfessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since then there had been ten years of anxious, longing grief that had remained unconfessed until this night.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Since then there had been ten years of anxious, longing grief that had remained unconfessed until this night.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The confidence that came after this plain speaking was very sweet and comforting to both, although in their isolation and ignorance they knew not what steps to take in order to find Davie.
willing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
win
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Davie and his father had both said things that neither could win over, and the lad had gone proudly down the hill with but a few shillings in his pocket.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading However, Davie and his father had both said things that neither could win over, and the lad had gone proudly down the hill with but a few shillings in his pocket.
wrong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mysie had not been able to make herself believe that he was very wrong; dancing at pretty Mary Halliday's bridal and singing two or three love-songs did not seem to the fond mother such awful transgressions as the stern, strict Covenanter really believed them to be, though even Mysie was willing to allow that Davie, in being beguiled into such sinful folly, "had made a sair tumble."
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ten years had elapsed since he had hung for one heart-breaking moment on his mother's neck, and bid, as he told her, a farewell for ever to the miserable scenes of his hard, bare childhood.
