adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading This morning, the wife came to see my honour to speak to me, and when she did see me she could not speak, she was crying so bitterly; she was in the greatest distress about her husband: he had, she said, in going to see her, been seized by a press-gang, and put on board a tender now on the Thames.
ALFREDnounUS /ˈælfrəd/
king of Wessex; defeated the Vikings and encouraged writing in English (849-899)
From this reading LETTER FROM ALFRED TO CAROLINE.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
AmsterdamnounUS /ˈæmstərdæm/
an industrial center and the nominal capital of the Netherlands; center of the diamond-cutting industry; seat of an important stock exchange; known for its canals and art museum
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
ay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading This morning, the wife came to see my honour to speak to me, and when she did see me she could not speak, she was crying so bitterly; she was in the greatest distress about her husband: he had, she said, in going to see her, been seized by a press-gang, and put on board a tender now on the Thames.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
bitterlyadverbUS /ˈbɪtərli/
with bitterness; in a resentful manner
From this reading This morning, the wife came to see my honour to speak to me, and when she did see me she could not speak, she was crying so bitterly; she was in the greatest distress about her husband: he had, she said, in going to see her, been seized by a press-gang, and put on board a tender now on the Thames.
boardnounUS /bɔːrd/
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading This morning, the wife came to see my honour to speak to me, and when she did see me she could not speak, she was crying so bitterly; she was in the greatest distress about her husband: he had, she said, in going to see her, been seized by a press-gang, and put on board a tender now on the Thames.
breakfast-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This morning, the wife came to see my honour to speak to me, and when she did see me she could not speak, she was crying so bitterly; she was in the greatest distress about her husband: he had, she said, in going to see her, been seized by a press-gang, and put on board a tender now on the Thames.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading This morning, the wife came to see my honour to speak to me, and when she did see me she could not speak, she was crying so bitterly; she was in the greatest distress about her husband: he had, she said, in going to see her, been seized by a press-gang, and put on board a tender now on the Thames.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/
capability to perform or produce
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
CAROLINEadjectiveUS /ˈkerəlaɪn/
of or relating to the life and times of kings Charles I or Charles II of England
From this reading LETTER FROM ALFRED TO CAROLINE.
coincidencesnounUS /koʊˈɪnsədənsɪz/
plural of “coincidence” — an event that might have been arranged although it was really accidental
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
combinationsnounUS /ˌkɑːmbəˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “combination” — a collection of things that have been combined; an assemblage of separate parts or qualities
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
confidencenounUS /ˈkɑːnfədəns/
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading This morning, the wife came to see my honour to speak to me, and when she did see me she could not speak, she was crying so bitterly; she was in the greatest distress about her husband: he had, she said, in going to see her, been seized by a press-gang, and put on board a tender now on the Thames.
cryingadjectiveUS /ˈkraɪɪŋ/
demanding attention
From this reading This morning, the wife came to see my honour to speak to me, and when she did see me she could not speak, she was crying so bitterly; she was in the greatest distress about her husband: he had, she said, in going to see her, been seized by a press-gang, and put on board a tender now on the Thames.
curiositynounUS /ˌkjʊriˈɑːsəti/
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
DEARadjectiveUS /dɪr/
dearly loved
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
defyverbUS /dɪˈfaɪ/
resist or confront with resistance
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading This morning, the wife came to see my honour to speak to me, and when she did see me she could not speak, she was crying so bitterly; she was in the greatest distress about her husband: he had, she said, in going to see her, been seized by a press-gang, and put on board a tender now on the Thames.
distressnounUS /dɪˈstres/
psychological suffering
From this reading This morning, the wife came to see my honour to speak to me, and when she did see me she could not speak, she was crying so bitterly; she was in the greatest distress about her husband: he had, she said, in going to see her, been seized by a press-gang, and put on board a tender now on the Thames.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
endnounUS /end/
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
ErasmusnounUS /ɪˈræzməs/
Dutch humanist and theologian who was the leading Renaissance scholar of northern Europe; although his criticisms of the Roman Catholic Church led to the Reformation, he opposed violence and condemned Martin Luther (1466-1536)
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
factnounUS /fækt/
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
fairlyadverbUS /ˈferli/
to certain extent or degree
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
fancynounUS /ˈfænsi/
something many people believe that is false
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
fellownounUS /ˈfeloʊ/
a boy or man
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
FROMprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading LETTER FROM ALFRED TO CAROLINE.
gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
giveverbUS /ɡɪv/
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
glanceverbUS /ɡlæns/
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/
the act of departing
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
GrantedadjectiveUS /ˈɡræntəd/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
greatestadjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtəst/
highest in quality
From this reading This morning, the wife came to see my honour to speak to me, and when she did see me she could not speak, she was crying so bitterly; she was in the greatest distress about her husband: he had, she said, in going to see her, been seized by a press-gang, and put on board a tender now on the Thames.
GreenwichnounUS /ˈɡrenɪtʃ/
a borough of Greater London on the Thames; zero degrees of longitude runs through Greenwich; time is measured relative to Greenwich Mean Time
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
GreshamnounUS /ˈɡreʃəm/
English financier (1519-1579)
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
GuessverbUS /ɡes/
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This morning, the wife came to see my honour to speak to me, and when she did see me she could not speak, she was crying so bitterly; she was in the greatest distress about her husband: he had, she said, in going to see her, been seized by a press-gang, and put on board a tender now on the Thames.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
hazardnounUS /ˈhæzərd/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading This morning, the wife came to see my honour to speak to me, and when she did see me she could not speak, she was crying so bitterly; she was in the greatest distress about her husband: he had, she said, in going to see her, been seized by a press-gang, and put on board a tender now on the Thames.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
honournounUS /ˈɑːnər/
the state of being honored
From this reading This morning, the wife came to see my honour to speak to me, and when she did see me she could not speak, she was crying so bitterly; she was in the greatest distress about her husband: he had, she said, in going to see her, been seized by a press-gang, and put on board a tender now on the Thames.
hopenounUS /hoʊp/
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
husbandnounUS /ˈhʌzbənd/
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading This morning, the wife came to see my honour to speak to me, and when she did see me she could not speak, she was crying so bitterly; she was in the greatest distress about her husband: he had, she said, in going to see her, been seized by a press-gang, and put on board a tender now on the Thames.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
imprudencenounUS /ˌɪmˈpruːdəns/
a lack of caution in practical affairs
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
imprudentadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːdənt/
not prudent or wise
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
inventiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈventɪv/
(used of persons or artifacts) marked by independence and creativity in thought or action
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
IrishmannounUS /ˈaɪrɪʃmən/
a man who is a native or inhabitant of Ireland
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
ladiesnounUS /ˈleɪdiz/
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
leaveverbUS /liːv/
go away from a place
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
LETTERnounUS /ˈletər/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading LETTER FROM ALFRED TO CAROLINE.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
livesnounUS /lɪvz/
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This morning, the wife came to see my honour to speak to me, and when she did see me she could not speak, she was crying so bitterly; she was in the greatest distress about her husband: he had, she said, in going to see her, been seized by a press-gang, and put on board a tender now on the Thames.
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading This morning, the wife came to see my honour to speak to me, and when she did see me she could not speak, she was crying so bitterly; she was in the greatest distress about her husband: he had, she said, in going to see her, been seized by a press-gang, and put on board a tender now on the Thames.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
MYdeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This morning, the wife came to see my honour to speak to me, and when she did see me she could not speak, she was crying so bitterly; she was in the greatest distress about her husband: he had, she said, in going to see her, been seized by a press-gang, and put on board a tender now on the Thames.
noticenounUS /ˈnoʊtəs/
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading This morning, the wife came to see my honour to speak to me, and when she did see me she could not speak, she was crying so bitterly; she was in the greatest distress about her husband: he had, she said, in going to see her, been seized by a press-gang, and put on board a tender now on the Thames.
O'BriennounUS /oʊˈbraɪɪn/
Irish writer (born in 1932)
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
offadverbUS /ɔːf/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
pagenounUS /peɪdʒ/
one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
PatiencenounUS /ˈpeɪʃəns/
good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
pleaseverbUS /pliːz/
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
porternounUS /ˈpɔːrtər/
a person employed to carry luggage and supplies
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
press-gang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This morning, the wife came to see my honour to speak to me, and when she did see me she could not speak, she was crying so bitterly; she was in the greatest distress about her husband: he had, she said, in going to see her, been seized by a press-gang, and put on board a tender now on the Thames.
promiseverbUS /ˈprɑːməs/
make a promise or commitment
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
putverbUS /pʊt/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading This morning, the wife came to see my honour to speak to me, and when she did see me she could not speak, she was crying so bitterly; she was in the greatest distress about her husband: he had, she said, in going to see her, been seized by a press-gang, and put on board a tender now on the Thames.
readverbUS /red/
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
realadjectiveUS /riːl/
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/
To recall to mind.
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
romancenounUS /roʊˈmæns/
a relationship between two lovers
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
romancesnounUS /roʊˈmænsɪz/
plural of “romance” — a relationship between two lovers
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
Rosamond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
roundnounUS /raʊnd/
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading This morning, the wife came to see my honour to speak to me, and when she did see me she could not speak, she was crying so bitterly; she was in the greatest distress about her husband: he had, she said, in going to see her, been seized by a press-gang, and put on board a tender now on the Thames.
satisfyverbUS /ˈsætəsfaɪ/
meet the requirements or expectations of
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
saysnounUS /sez/
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
seizedverbUS /siːzd/
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading This morning, the wife came to see my honour to speak to me, and when she did see me she could not speak, she was crying so bitterly; she was in the greatest distress about her husband: he had, she said, in going to see her, been seized by a press-gang, and put on board a tender now on the Thames.
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This morning, the wife came to see my honour to speak to me, and when she did see me she could not speak, she was crying so bitterly; she was in the greatest distress about her husband: he had, she said, in going to see her, been seized by a press-gang, and put on board a tender now on the Thames.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
speakverbUS /spiːk/
express in speech
From this reading This morning, the wife came to see my honour to speak to me, and when she did see me she could not speak, she was crying so bitterly; she was in the greatest distress about her husband: he had, she said, in going to see her, been seized by a press-gang, and put on board a tender now on the Thames.
story-teller
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
surprisenounUS /sərˈpraɪz/
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
tenderadjectiveUS /ˈtendər/
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading This morning, the wife came to see my honour to speak to me, and when she did see me she could not speak, she was crying so bitterly; she was in the greatest distress about her husband: he had, she said, in going to see her, been seized by a press-gang, and put on board a tender now on the Thames.
ThamesnounUS /temz/
the longest river in England; flows eastward through London to the North Sea
From this reading This morning, the wife came to see my honour to speak to me, and when she did see me she could not speak, she was crying so bitterly; she was in the greatest distress about her husband: he had, she said, in going to see her, been seized by a press-gang, and put on board a tender now on the Thames.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
thingnounUS /θɪŋ/
a special situation
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
TOparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading LETTER FROM ALFRED TO CAROLINE.
tookverbUS /tʊk/
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
turnverbUS /tɜːrn/
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
weeknounUS /wiːk/
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
WhompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
wifenounUS /waɪf/
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading “You remember, I hope, the Irishman, O’Brien, to whom Erasmus was so good, and whom Mr. Gresham, kind as he always is, took for his porter: when Mr. Gresham set off last week for Amsterdam, he gave this fellow leave to go home to his wife, who lives at Greenwich.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “MY DEAR CAROLINE, “I am going to surprise you--I know it is the most imprudent thing a story-teller can do to give notice or promise of a surprise; but you see, I have such confidence at this moment in my fact, that I hazard this imprudence--Whom do you think I have seen?
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
yourspronounUS /jʊrz/
the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to
From this reading Guess--guess all round the breakfast-table--father, mother, Caroline, Rosamond--I defy you all--ay, Rosamond, even you, with all your capacity for romance; the romance of real life is beyond all other romances--its coincidences beyond the combinations of the most inventive fancy--even of yours, Rosamond--Granted--go on--Patience, ladies, if you please, and don’t turn over the page, or glance to the end of my letter to satisfy your curiosity, but read fairly on, says my father.
