adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading What would become of them--living in so sequestered a spot that few knew even of its existence--totally shut out from the world, and left to their own resources?
ableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪbəl/
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading He had no fear, if his life was spared, that they would do well; but if he should be called away before they had grown up and were able to help themselves, they might perish.
actverbUS /ækt/
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
activeadjectiveUS /ˈæktɪv/
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading Edward was not fourteen years old; it was true that he was an active, brave boy, and thoughtful for his years; but he had not yet strength or skill sufficient for what would be required.
alarmedadjectiveUS /əˈlɑːrmd/
experiencing a sudden sense of danger
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
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 Humphrey, the second, also promised well; but still they were all children.
alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/
in addition
From this reading Humphrey, the second, also promised well; but still they were all children.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Edward was not fourteen years old; it was true that he was an active, brave boy, and thoughtful for his years; but he had not yet strength or skill sufficient for what would be required.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
awakeadjectiveUS /əˈweɪk/
not in a state of sleep; completely conscious
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He had no fear, if his life was spared, that they would do well; but if he should be called away before they had grown up and were able to help themselves, they might perish.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading What would become of them--living in so sequestered a spot that few knew even of its existence--totally shut out from the world, and left to their own resources?
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He had no fear, if his life was spared, that they would do well; but if he should be called away before they had grown up and were able to help themselves, they might perish.
boynounUS /bɔɪ/
a youthful male person
From this reading Edward was not fourteen years old; it was true that he was an active, brave boy, and thoughtful for his years; but he had not yet strength or skill sufficient for what would be required.
braveadjectiveUS /breɪv/
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading Edward was not fourteen years old; it was true that he was an active, brave boy, and thoughtful for his years; but he had not yet strength or skill sufficient for what would be required.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had no fear, if his life was spared, that they would do well; but if he should be called away before they had grown up and were able to help themselves, they might perish.
calledverbUS /kɔːld/
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He had no fear, if his life was spared, that they would do well; but if he should be called away before they had grown up and were able to help themselves, they might perish.
childrennounUS /ˈtʃɪldrən/
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
consequencesnounUS /ˈkɑːnsəkwensəz/
plural of “consequence” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
consideredadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərd/
carefully weighed
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He had no fear, if his life was spared, that they would do well; but if he should be called away before they had grown up and were able to help themselves, they might perish.
EdwardnounUS /ˈedwərd/
King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)
From this reading Edward was not fourteen years old; it was true that he was an active, brave boy, and thoughtful for his years; but he had not yet strength or skill sufficient for what would be required.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading What would become of them--living in so sequestered a spot that few knew even of its existence--totally shut out from the world, and left to their own resources?
existencenounUS /eɡˈzɪstəns/
the state or fact of existing
From this reading What would become of them--living in so sequestered a spot that few knew even of its existence--totally shut out from the world, and left to their own resources?
fearverbUS /fɪr/
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading He had no fear, if his life was spared, that they would do well; but if he should be called away before they had grown up and were able to help themselves, they might perish.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
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 What would become of them--living in so sequestered a spot that few knew even of its existence--totally shut out from the world, and left to their own resources?
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Edward was not fourteen years old; it was true that he was an active, brave boy, and thoughtful for his years; but he had not yet strength or skill sufficient for what would be required.
foresternounUS /ˈfɔːrəstər/
English writer of adventure novels featuring Captain Horatio Hornblower (1899-1966)
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
fourteennounUS /ˈfɔːrˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of thirteen and one
From this reading Edward was not fourteen years old; it was true that he was an active, brave boy, and thoughtful for his years; but he had not yet strength or skill sufficient for what would be required.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading What would become of them--living in so sequestered a spot that few knew even of its existence--totally shut out from the world, and left to their own resources?
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
grownadjectiveUS /ɡroʊn/
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading He had no fear, if his life was spared, that they would do well; but if he should be called away before they had grown up and were able to help themselves, they might perish.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
helpverbUS /help/
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading He had no fear, if his life was spared, that they would do well; but if he should be called away before they had grown up and were able to help themselves, they might perish.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
Humphrey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Humphrey, the second, also promised well; but still they were all children.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading What would become of them--living in so sequestered a spot that few knew even of its existence--totally shut out from the world, and left to their own resources?
incurredverbUS /ˌɪnˈkɜːrd/
inflected form of “incur” — make oneself subject to; bring upon oneself; become liable to
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Edward was not fourteen years old; it was true that he was an active, brave boy, and thoughtful for his years; but he had not yet strength or skill sufficient for what would be required.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading What would become of them--living in so sequestered a spot that few knew even of its existence--totally shut out from the world, and left to their own resources?
knewverbUS /nuː/
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading What would become of them--living in so sequestered a spot that few knew even of its existence--totally shut out from the world, and left to their own resources?
layverbUS /leɪ/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
leftnounUS /left/
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading What would become of them--living in so sequestered a spot that few knew even of its existence--totally shut out from the world, and left to their own resources?
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He had no fear, if his life was spared, that they would do well; but if he should be called away before they had grown up and were able to help themselves, they might perish.
livingnounUS /ˈlɪvɪŋ/
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading What would become of them--living in so sequestered a spot that few knew even of its existence--totally shut out from the world, and left to their own resources?
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading He had no fear, if his life was spared, that they would do well; but if he should be called away before they had grown up and were able to help themselves, they might perish.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Edward was not fourteen years old; it was true that he was an active, brave boy, and thoughtful for his years; but he had not yet strength or skill sufficient for what would be required.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Edward was not fourteen years old; it was true that he was an active, brave boy, and thoughtful for his years; but he had not yet strength or skill sufficient for what would be required.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading What would become of them--living in so sequestered a spot that few knew even of its existence--totally shut out from the world, and left to their own resources?
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading What would become of them--living in so sequestered a spot that few knew even of its existence--totally shut out from the world, and left to their own resources?
perishverbUS /ˈperɪʃ/
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading He had no fear, if his life was spared, that they would do well; but if he should be called away before they had grown up and were able to help themselves, they might perish.
promisedverbUS /ˈprɑːməst/
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading Humphrey, the second, also promised well; but still they were all children.
reflectingadjectiveUS /rɪˈflektɪŋ/
causing reflection or having a device that reflects
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
relativenounUS /ˈrelətɪv/
a person related by blood or marriage
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
requiredadjectiveUS /riˈkwaɪərd/
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading Edward was not fourteen years old; it was true that he was an active, brave boy, and thoughtful for his years; but he had not yet strength or skill sufficient for what would be required.
resourcesnounUS /ˈriːsɔːrsɪz/
plural of “resource” — available source of wealth; a new or reserve supply that can be drawn upon when needed
From this reading What would become of them--living in so sequestered a spot that few knew even of its existence--totally shut out from the world, and left to their own resources?
responsibilitynounUS /riˌspɑːnsəˈbɪləti/
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
secondnounUS /ˈsekənd/
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Humphrey, the second, also promised well; but still they were all children.
sequesteredadjectiveUS /sɪˈkwestərd/
providing privacy or seclusion
From this reading What would become of them--living in so sequestered a spot that few knew even of its existence--totally shut out from the world, and left to their own resources?
shortenedadjectiveUS /ˈʃɔːrtənd/
cut short
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
shutverbUS /ʃʌt/
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading What would become of them--living in so sequestered a spot that few knew even of its existence--totally shut out from the world, and left to their own resources?
skillnounUS /skɪl/
an ability that has been acquired by training
From this reading Edward was not fourteen years old; it was true that he was an active, brave boy, and thoughtful for his years; but he had not yet strength or skill sufficient for what would be required.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading What would become of them--living in so sequestered a spot that few knew even of its existence--totally shut out from the world, and left to their own resources?
sparedverbUS /sperd/
past form of “spare” — refrain from harming
From this reading He had no fear, if his life was spared, that they would do well; but if he should be called away before they had grown up and were able to help themselves, they might perish.
spotnounUS /spɑːt/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading What would become of them--living in so sequestered a spot that few knew even of its existence--totally shut out from the world, and left to their own resources?
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading Humphrey, the second, also promised well; but still they were all children.
strengthnounUS /streŋkθ/
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading Edward was not fourteen years old; it was true that he was an active, brave boy, and thoughtful for his years; but he had not yet strength or skill sufficient for what would be required.
sufficientadjectiveUS /səˈfɪʃənt/
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading Edward was not fourteen years old; it was true that he was an active, brave boy, and thoughtful for his years; but he had not yet strength or skill sufficient for what would be required.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading What would become of them--living in so sequestered a spot that few knew even of its existence--totally shut out from the world, and left to their own resources?
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading What would become of them--living in so sequestered a spot that few knew even of its existence--totally shut out from the world, and left to their own resources?
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading He had no fear, if his life was spared, that they would do well; but if he should be called away before they had grown up and were able to help themselves, they might perish.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had no fear, if his life was spared, that they would do well; but if he should be called away before they had grown up and were able to help themselves, they might perish.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
thoughtfuladjectiveUS /ˈθɔːtfəl/
having intellectual depth
From this reading Edward was not fourteen years old; it was true that he was an active, brave boy, and thoughtful for his years; but he had not yet strength or skill sufficient for what would be required.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
totallyadverbUS /ˈtoʊtəli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading What would become of them--living in so sequestered a spot that few knew even of its existence--totally shut out from the world, and left to their own resources?
trueadjectiveUS /truː/
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading Edward was not fourteen years old; it was true that he was an active, brave boy, and thoughtful for his years; but he had not yet strength or skill sufficient for what would be required.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He had no fear, if his life was spared, that they would do well; but if he should be called away before they had grown up and were able to help themselves, they might perish.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading He had no fear, if his life was spared, that they would do well; but if he should be called away before they had grown up and were able to help themselves, they might perish.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be the consequences if his days were shortened.
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading What would become of them--living in so sequestered a spot that few knew even of its existence--totally shut out from the world, and left to their own resources?
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading What would become of them--living in so sequestered a spot that few knew even of its existence--totally shut out from the world, and left to their own resources?
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading Edward was not fourteen years old; it was true that he was an active, brave boy, and thoughtful for his years; but he had not yet strength or skill sufficient for what would be required.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Edward was not fourteen years old; it was true that he was an active, brave boy, and thoughtful for his years; but he had not yet strength or skill sufficient for what would be required.
