adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading During the first few days he kept the fact diligently before his mind that he was in a land where there was “work and bread for all.”
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 During the first few days he kept the fact diligently before his mind that he was in a land where there was “work and bread for all.”
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading His first effort was to get an upper clerkship in one of the departments, where his Oxford education could come into play and do him service.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading During the first few days he kept the fact diligently before his mind that he was in a land where there was “work and bread for all.”
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In fact, for convenience’ sake he fitted it to a little tune and hummed it to himself; but as time wore on the fact itself began to take on a doubtful look, and next the tune got fatigued and presently ran down and stopped.
backingnounUS /ˈbækɪŋ/
the act of providing approval and support
From this reading There, competency was no recommendation; political backing, without competency, was worth six of it.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading During the first few days he kept the fact diligently before his mind that he was in a land where there was “work and bread for all.”
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading In fact, for convenience’ sake he fitted it to a little tune and hummed it to himself; but as time wore on the fact itself began to take on a doubtful look, and next the tune got fatigued and presently ran down and stopped.
breadnounUS /bred/
food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked
From this reading During the first few days he kept the fact diligently before his mind that he was in a land where there was “work and bread for all.”
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In fact, for convenience’ sake he fitted it to a little tune and hummed it to himself; but as time wore on the fact itself began to take on a doubtful look, and next the tune got fatigued and presently ran down and stopped.
chancenounUS /tʃæns/
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading But he stood no chance whatever.
clerkshipnoun
the job of clerk
From this reading His first effort was to get an upper clerkship in one of the departments, where his Oxford education could come into play and do him service.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading His first effort was to get an upper clerkship in one of the departments, where his Oxford education could come into play and do him service.
competencynounUS /ˈkɑːmpətɪnsi/
the quality of being adequately or well qualified physically and intellectually
From this reading There, competency was no recommendation; political backing, without competency, was worth six of it.
conveniencenounUS /kənˈviːnjəns/
the state of being suitable or opportune
From this reading In fact, for convenience’ sake he fitted it to a little tune and hummed it to himself; but as time wore on the fact itself began to take on a doubtful look, and next the tune got fatigued and presently ran down and stopped.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading His first effort was to get an upper clerkship in one of the departments, where his Oxford education could come into play and do him service.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading During the first few days he kept the fact diligently before his mind that he was in a land where there was “work and bread for all.”
departmentsnounUS /dɪˈpɑːrtmənts/
plural of “department” — a specialized division of a large organization
From this reading His first effort was to get an upper clerkship in one of the departments, where his Oxford education could come into play and do him service.
diligentlyadverbUS /ˈdɪlədʒəntli/
with diligence; in a diligent manner
From this reading During the first few days he kept the fact diligently before his mind that he was in a land where there was “work and bread for all.”
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading His first effort was to get an upper clerkship in one of the departments, where his Oxford education could come into play and do him service.
doubtfuladjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtfəl/
open to doubt or suspicion
From this reading In fact, for convenience’ sake he fitted it to a little tune and hummed it to himself; but as time wore on the fact itself began to take on a doubtful look, and next the tune got fatigued and presently ran down and stopped.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading In fact, for convenience’ sake he fitted it to a little tune and hummed it to himself; but as time wore on the fact itself began to take on a doubtful look, and next the tune got fatigued and presently ran down and stopped.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the first few days he kept the fact diligently before his mind that he was in a land where there was “work and bread for all.”
educationnounUS /ˌedʒəˈkeɪʃən/
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading His first effort was to get an upper clerkship in one of the departments, where his Oxford education could come into play and do him service.
effortnounUS /ˈefərt/
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading His first effort was to get an upper clerkship in one of the departments, where his Oxford education could come into play and do him service.
factnounUS /fækt/
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading During the first few days he kept the fact diligently before his mind that he was in a land where there was “work and bread for all.”
fatiguedadjectiveUS /fəˈtiːɡd/
drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted
From this reading In fact, for convenience’ sake he fitted it to a little tune and hummed it to himself; but as time wore on the fact itself began to take on a doubtful look, and next the tune got fatigued and presently ran down and stopped.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading During the first few days he kept the fact diligently before his mind that he was in a land where there was “work and bread for all.”
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading During the first few days he kept the fact diligently before his mind that he was in a land where there was “work and bread for all.”
fittedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtəd/
being the right size and shape to fit as desired
From this reading In fact, for convenience’ sake he fitted it to a little tune and hummed it to himself; but as time wore on the fact itself began to take on a doubtful look, and next the tune got fatigued and presently ran down and stopped.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading During the first few days he kept the fact diligently before his mind that he was in a land where there was “work and bread for all.”
getverbUS /ɡet/
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading His first effort was to get an upper clerkship in one of the departments, where his Oxford education could come into play and do him service.
gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading In fact, for convenience’ sake he fitted it to a little tune and hummed it to himself; but as time wore on the fact itself began to take on a doubtful look, and next the tune got fatigued and presently ran down and stopped.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading During the first few days he kept the fact diligently before his mind that he was in a land where there was “work and bread for all.”
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His first effort was to get an upper clerkship in one of the departments, where his Oxford education could come into play and do him service.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading In fact, for convenience’ sake he fitted it to a little tune and hummed it to himself; but as time wore on the fact itself began to take on a doubtful look, and next the tune got fatigued and presently ran down and stopped.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading During the first few days he kept the fact diligently before his mind that he was in a land where there was “work and bread for all.”
hummed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact, for convenience’ sake he fitted it to a little tune and hummed it to himself; but as time wore on the fact itself began to take on a doubtful look, and next the tune got fatigued and presently ran down and stopped.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading During the first few days he kept the fact diligently before his mind that he was in a land where there was “work and bread for all.”
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading His first effort was to get an upper clerkship in one of the departments, where his Oxford education could come into play and do him service.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In fact, for convenience’ sake he fitted it to a little tune and hummed it to himself; but as time wore on the fact itself began to take on a doubtful look, and next the tune got fatigued and presently ran down and stopped.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading In fact, for convenience’ sake he fitted it to a little tune and hummed it to himself; but as time wore on the fact itself began to take on a doubtful look, and next the tune got fatigued and presently ran down and stopped.
keptadjectiveUS /kept/
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading During the first few days he kept the fact diligently before his mind that he was in a land where there was “work and bread for all.”
landnounUS /lænd/
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading During the first few days he kept the fact diligently before his mind that he was in a land where there was “work and bread for all.”
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In fact, for convenience’ sake he fitted it to a little tune and hummed it to himself; but as time wore on the fact itself began to take on a doubtful look, and next the tune got fatigued and presently ran down and stopped.
lookverbUS /lʊk/
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading In fact, for convenience’ sake he fitted it to a little tune and hummed it to himself; but as time wore on the fact itself began to take on a doubtful look, and next the tune got fatigued and presently ran down and stopped.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading During the first few days he kept the fact diligently before his mind that he was in a land where there was “work and bread for all.”
nextadjectiveUS /nekst/
immediately following in time or order
From this reading In fact, for convenience’ sake he fitted it to a little tune and hummed it to himself; but as time wore on the fact itself began to take on a doubtful look, and next the tune got fatigued and presently ran down and stopped.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading But he stood no chance whatever.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His first effort was to get an upper clerkship in one of the departments, where his Oxford education could come into play and do him service.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In fact, for convenience’ sake he fitted it to a little tune and hummed it to himself; but as time wore on the fact itself began to take on a doubtful look, and next the tune got fatigued and presently ran down and stopped.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading His first effort was to get an upper clerkship in one of the departments, where his Oxford education could come into play and do him service.
OxfordnounUS /ˈɑːksfərd/
a city in southern England to the northwest of London; site of Oxford University
From this reading His first effort was to get an upper clerkship in one of the departments, where his Oxford education could come into play and do him service.
playverbUS /pleɪ/
participate in games or sport
From this reading His first effort was to get an upper clerkship in one of the departments, where his Oxford education could come into play and do him service.
politicaladjectiveUS /pəˈlɪtəkəl/
involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians
From this reading There, competency was no recommendation; political backing, without competency, was worth six of it.
presentlyadverbUS /ˈprezəntli/
in the near future
From this reading In fact, for convenience’ sake he fitted it to a little tune and hummed it to himself; but as time wore on the fact itself began to take on a doubtful look, and next the tune got fatigued and presently ran down and stopped.
ranverbUS /ræn/
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading In fact, for convenience’ sake he fitted it to a little tune and hummed it to himself; but as time wore on the fact itself began to take on a doubtful look, and next the tune got fatigued and presently ran down and stopped.
recommendationnounUS /ˌrekəmənˈdeɪʃən/
something (as a course of action) that is recommended as advisable
From this reading There, competency was no recommendation; political backing, without competency, was worth six of it.
sakenounUS /seɪk/
a reason for wanting something done
From this reading In fact, for convenience’ sake he fitted it to a little tune and hummed it to himself; but as time wore on the fact itself began to take on a doubtful look, and next the tune got fatigued and presently ran down and stopped.
servicenounUS /ˈsɜːrvəs/
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading His first effort was to get an upper clerkship in one of the departments, where his Oxford education could come into play and do him service.
sixnounUS /sɪks/
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading There, competency was no recommendation; political backing, without competency, was worth six of it.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading But he stood no chance whatever.
stoppedadjectiveUS /stɑːpt/
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading In fact, for convenience’ sake he fitted it to a little tune and hummed it to himself; but as time wore on the fact itself began to take on a doubtful look, and next the tune got fatigued and presently ran down and stopped.
takeverbUS /teɪk/
carry out
From this reading In fact, for convenience’ sake he fitted it to a little tune and hummed it to himself; but as time wore on the fact itself began to take on a doubtful look, and next the tune got fatigued and presently ran down and stopped.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading During the first few days he kept the fact diligently before his mind that he was in a land where there was “work and bread for all.”
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading During the first few days he kept the fact diligently before his mind that he was in a land where there was “work and bread for all.”
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading During the first few days he kept the fact diligently before his mind that he was in a land where there was “work and bread for all.”
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading In fact, for convenience’ sake he fitted it to a little tune and hummed it to himself; but as time wore on the fact itself began to take on a doubtful look, and next the tune got fatigued and presently ran down and stopped.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In fact, for convenience’ sake he fitted it to a little tune and hummed it to himself; but as time wore on the fact itself began to take on a doubtful look, and next the tune got fatigued and presently ran down and stopped.
tunenounUS /tuːn/
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
From this reading In fact, for convenience’ sake he fitted it to a little tune and hummed it to himself; but as time wore on the fact itself began to take on a doubtful look, and next the tune got fatigued and presently ran down and stopped.
upperadjectiveUS /ˈʌpər/
the topmost one of two
From this reading His first effort was to get an upper clerkship in one of the departments, where his Oxford education could come into play and do him service.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading During the first few days he kept the fact diligently before his mind that he was in a land where there was “work and bread for all.”
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading But he stood no chance whatever.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading During the first few days he kept the fact diligently before his mind that he was in a land where there was “work and bread for all.”
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading There, competency was no recommendation; political backing, without competency, was worth six of it.
woreverbUS /wɔːr/
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading In fact, for convenience’ sake he fitted it to a little tune and hummed it to himself; but as time wore on the fact itself began to take on a doubtful look, and next the tune got fatigued and presently ran down and stopped.
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading During the first few days he kept the fact diligently before his mind that he was in a land where there was “work and bread for all.”
worthnounUS /wɜːrθ/
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading There, competency was no recommendation; political backing, without competency, was worth six of it.
