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 He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were dancing and flashing with excitement now, and his whole frame was quivering with enthusiasm; with head thrown back, and tongue, hand, and foot all in motion, he seemed to have his audience completely spell-bound, and they listened with open eyes and mouths to his oration.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
animation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slim delicate little lad, with a finely cut face, and blue eyes that by turns would sparkle with animation, and then settle into a dreamy wistfulness, with a deep far-away look in them.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
audience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were dancing and flashing with excitement now, and his whole frame was quivering with enthusiasm; with head thrown back, and tongue, hand, and foot all in motion, he seemed to have his audience completely spell-bound, and they listened with open eyes and mouths to his oration.
Author
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author of 'Probable Sons,' 'Eric's Good News,' etc.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were dancing and flashing with excitement now, and his whole frame was quivering with enthusiasm; with head thrown back, and tongue, hand, and foot all in motion, he seemed to have his audience completely spell-bound, and they listened with open eyes and mouths to his oration.
bare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
blazing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
blue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slim delicate little lad, with a finely cut face, and blue eyes that by turns would sparkle with animation, and then settle into a dreamy wistfulness, with a deep far-away look in them.
boys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
brass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With one hand he was fingering a large brass button, which figured conspicuously in the centre of his small waistcoat, and this button was the subject of his theme.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
button
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With one hand he was fingering a large brass button, which figured conspicuously in the centre of his small waistcoat, and this button was the subject of his theme.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A slim delicate little lad, with a finely cut face, and blue eyes that by turns would sparkle with animation, and then settle into a dreamy wistfulness, with a deep far-away look in them.
centre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
completely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were dancing and flashing with excitement now, and his whole frame was quivering with enthusiasm; with head thrown back, and tongue, hand, and foot all in motion, he seemed to have his audience completely spell-bound, and they listened with open eyes and mouths to his oration.
conspicuously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With one hand he was fingering a large brass button, which figured conspicuously in the centre of his small waistcoat, and this button was the subject of his theme.
crop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
crowd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
curls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slim delicate little lad, with a finely cut face, and blue eyes that by turns would sparkle with animation, and then settle into a dreamy wistfulness, with a deep far-away look in them.
dancing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were dancing and flashing with excitement now, and his whole frame was quivering with enthusiasm; with head thrown back, and tongue, hand, and foot all in motion, he seemed to have his audience completely spell-bound, and they listened with open eyes and mouths to his oration.
deep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slim delicate little lad, with a finely cut face, and blue eyes that by turns would sparkle with animation, and then settle into a dreamy wistfulness, with a deep far-away look in them.
delicate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slim delicate little lad, with a finely cut face, and blue eyes that by turns would sparkle with animation, and then settle into a dreamy wistfulness, with a deep far-away look in them.
discomfort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
dreamy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slim delicate little lad, with a finely cut face, and blue eyes that by turns would sparkle with animation, and then settle into a dreamy wistfulness, with a deep far-away look in them.
engrossed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
enthusiasm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were dancing and flashing with excitement now, and his whole frame was quivering with enthusiasm; with head thrown back, and tongue, hand, and foot all in motion, he seemed to have his audience completely spell-bound, and they listened with open eyes and mouths to his oration.
Eric's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author of 'Probable Sons,' 'Eric's Good News,' etc.
etc
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author of 'Probable Sons,' 'Eric's Good News,' etc.
excitement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were dancing and flashing with excitement now, and his whole frame was quivering with enthusiasm; with head thrown back, and tongue, hand, and foot all in motion, he seemed to have his audience completely spell-bound, and they listened with open eyes and mouths to his oration.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slim delicate little lad, with a finely cut face, and blue eyes that by turns would sparkle with animation, and then settle into a dreamy wistfulness, with a deep far-away look in them.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slim delicate little lad, with a finely cut face, and blue eyes that by turns would sparkle with animation, and then settle into a dreamy wistfulness, with a deep far-away look in them.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
far-away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slim delicate little lad, with a finely cut face, and blue eyes that by turns would sparkle with animation, and then settle into a dreamy wistfulness, with a deep far-away look in them.
figured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With one hand he was fingering a large brass button, which figured conspicuously in the centre of his small waistcoat, and this button was the subject of his theme.
finely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slim delicate little lad, with a finely cut face, and blue eyes that by turns would sparkle with animation, and then settle into a dreamy wistfulness, with a deep far-away look in them.
fingering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With one hand he was fingering a large brass button, which figured conspicuously in the centre of his small waistcoat, and this button was the subject of his theme.
flashing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were dancing and flashing with excitement now, and his whole frame was quivering with enthusiasm; with head thrown back, and tongue, hand, and foot all in motion, he seemed to have his audience completely spell-bound, and they listened with open eyes and mouths to his oration.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They were dancing and flashing with excitement now, and his whole frame was quivering with enthusiasm; with head thrown back, and tongue, hand, and foot all in motion, he seemed to have his audience completely spell-bound, and they listened with open eyes and mouths to his oration.
frame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were dancing and flashing with excitement now, and his whole frame was quivering with enthusiasm; with head thrown back, and tongue, hand, and foot all in motion, he seemed to have his audience completely spell-bound, and they listened with open eyes and mouths to his oration.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
golden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
GoodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Author of 'Probable Sons,' 'Eric's Good News,' etc.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were dancing and flashing with excitement now, and his whole frame was quivering with enthusiasm; with head thrown back, and tongue, hand, and foot all in motion, he seemed to have his audience completely spell-bound, and they listened with open eyes and mouths to his oration.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They were dancing and flashing with excitement now, and his whole frame was quivering with enthusiasm; with head thrown back, and tongue, hand, and foot all in motion, he seemed to have his audience completely spell-bound, and they listened with open eyes and mouths to his oration.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
heat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
heed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A slim delicate little lad, with a finely cut face, and blue eyes that by turns would sparkle with animation, and then settle into a dreamy wistfulness, with a deep far-away look in them.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
lad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slim delicate little lad, with a finely cut face, and blue eyes that by turns would sparkle with animation, and then settle into a dreamy wistfulness, with a deep far-away look in them.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With one hand he was fingering a large brass button, which figured conspicuously in the centre of his small waistcoat, and this button was the subject of his theme.
listened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were dancing and flashing with excitement now, and his whole frame was quivering with enthusiasm; with head thrown back, and tongue, hand, and foot all in motion, he seemed to have his audience completely spell-bound, and they listened with open eyes and mouths to his oration.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A slim delicate little lad, with a finely cut face, and blue eyes that by turns would sparkle with animation, and then settle into a dreamy wistfulness, with a deep far-away look in them.
motion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were dancing and flashing with excitement now, and his whole frame was quivering with enthusiasm; with head thrown back, and tongue, hand, and foot all in motion, he seemed to have his audience completely spell-bound, and they listened with open eyes and mouths to his oration.
mouths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were dancing and flashing with excitement now, and his whole frame was quivering with enthusiasm; with head thrown back, and tongue, hand, and foot all in motion, he seemed to have his audience completely spell-bound, and they listened with open eyes and mouths to his oration.
News
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author of 'Probable Sons,' 'Eric's Good News,' etc.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were dancing and flashing with excitement now, and his whole frame was quivering with enthusiasm; with head thrown back, and tongue, hand, and foot all in motion, he seemed to have his audience completely spell-bound, and they listened with open eyes and mouths to his oration.
occupation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Author of 'Probable Sons,' 'Eric's Good News,' etc.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading With one hand he was fingering a large brass button, which figured conspicuously in the centre of his small waistcoat, and this button was the subject of his theme.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading They were dancing and flashing with excitement now, and his whole frame was quivering with enthusiasm; with head thrown back, and tongue, hand, and foot all in motion, he seemed to have his audience completely spell-bound, and they listened with open eyes and mouths to his oration.
oration
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were dancing and flashing with excitement now, and his whole frame was quivering with enthusiasm; with head thrown back, and tongue, hand, and foot all in motion, he seemed to have his audience completely spell-bound, and they listened with open eyes and mouths to his oration.
Probable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author of 'Probable Sons,' 'Eric's Good News,' etc.
protect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
quivering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were dancing and flashing with excitement now, and his whole frame was quivering with enthusiasm; with head thrown back, and tongue, hand, and foot all in motion, he seemed to have his audience completely spell-bound, and they listened with open eyes and mouths to his oration.
rays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
settle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slim delicate little lad, with a finely cut face, and blue eyes that by turns would sparkle with animation, and then settle into a dreamy wistfulness, with a deep far-away look in them.
slim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slim delicate little lad, with a finely cut face, and blue eyes that by turns would sparkle with animation, and then settle into a dreamy wistfulness, with a deep far-away look in them.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With one hand he was fingering a large brass button, which figured conspicuously in the centre of his small waistcoat, and this button was the subject of his theme.
Sons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author of 'Probable Sons,' 'Eric's Good News,' etc.
sparkle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slim delicate little lad, with a finely cut face, and blue eyes that by turns would sparkle with animation, and then settle into a dreamy wistfulness, with a deep far-away look in them.
spell-bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were dancing and flashing with excitement now, and his whole frame was quivering with enthusiasm; with head thrown back, and tongue, hand, and foot all in motion, he seemed to have his audience completely spell-bound, and they listened with open eyes and mouths to his oration.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
subject
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With one hand he was fingering a large brass button, which figured conspicuously in the centre of his small waistcoat, and this button was the subject of his theme.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A slim delicate little lad, with a finely cut face, and blue eyes that by turns would sparkle with animation, and then settle into a dreamy wistfulness, with a deep far-away look in them.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A slim delicate little lad, with a finely cut face, and blue eyes that by turns would sparkle with animation, and then settle into a dreamy wistfulness, with a deep far-away look in them.
theme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With one hand he was fingering a large brass button, which figured conspicuously in the centre of his small waistcoat, and this button was the subject of his theme.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slim delicate little lad, with a finely cut face, and blue eyes that by turns would sparkle with animation, and then settle into a dreamy wistfulness, with a deep far-away look in them.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were dancing and flashing with excitement now, and his whole frame was quivering with enthusiasm; with head thrown back, and tongue, hand, and foot all in motion, he seemed to have his audience completely spell-bound, and they listened with open eyes and mouths to his oration.
thick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading With one hand he was fingering a large brass button, which figured conspicuously in the centre of his small waistcoat, and this button was the subject of his theme.
thrown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were dancing and flashing with excitement now, and his whole frame was quivering with enthusiasm; with head thrown back, and tongue, hand, and foot all in motion, he seemed to have his audience completely spell-bound, and they listened with open eyes and mouths to his oration.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
tonguenounUS /tongue/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They were dancing and flashing with excitement now, and his whole frame was quivering with enthusiasm; with head thrown back, and tongue, hand, and foot all in motion, he seemed to have his audience completely spell-bound, and they listened with open eyes and mouths to his oration.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
turns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slim delicate little lad, with a finely cut face, and blue eyes that by turns would sparkle with animation, and then settle into a dreamy wistfulness, with a deep far-away look in them.
village
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
waistcoat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With one hand he was fingering a large brass button, which figured conspicuously in the centre of his small waistcoat, and this button was the subject of his theme.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He stood in the centre of a little crowd of village boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were dancing and flashing with excitement now, and his whole frame was quivering with enthusiasm; with head thrown back, and tongue, hand, and foot all in motion, he seemed to have his audience completely spell-bound, and they listened with open eyes and mouths to his oration.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading With one hand he was fingering a large brass button, which figured conspicuously in the centre of his small waistcoat, and this button was the subject of his theme.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were dancing and flashing with excitement now, and his whole frame was quivering with enthusiasm; with head thrown back, and tongue, hand, and foot all in motion, he seemed to have his audience completely spell-bound, and they listened with open eyes and mouths to his oration.
wistfulness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slim delicate little lad, with a finely cut face, and blue eyes that by turns would sparkle with animation, and then settle into a dreamy wistfulness, with a deep far-away look in them.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading A slim delicate little lad, with a finely cut face, and blue eyes that by turns would sparkle with animation, and then settle into a dreamy wistfulness, with a deep far-away look in them.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A slim delicate little lad, with a finely cut face, and blue eyes that by turns would sparkle with animation, and then settle into a dreamy wistfulness, with a deep far-away look in them.
