adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading For many days after this Jack applied himself with unremitting assiduity to the construction of our boat, which at length began to look somewhat like one.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Boat-building extraordinary--Peterkin tries his hand at cookery and fails most signally--The boat finished--Curious conversation with the cat, and other matters.
appliedadjectiveUS /əˈplaɪd/
concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles
From this reading For many days after this Jack applied himself with unremitting assiduity to the construction of our boat, which at length began to look somewhat like one.
assiduitynoun
great and constant diligence and attention
From this reading For many days after this Jack applied himself with unremitting assiduity to the construction of our boat, which at length began to look somewhat like one.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Boat-building extraordinary--Peterkin tries his hand at cookery and fails most signally--The boat finished--Curious conversation with the cat, and other matters.
axenounUS /æks/
an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He was of, that disposition which _will_ not be conquered.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading For many days after this Jack applied himself with unremitting assiduity to the construction of our boat, which at length began to look somewhat like one.
bitnounUS /bɪt/
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
boatnounUS /boʊt/
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Boat-building extraordinary--Peterkin tries his hand at cookery and fails most signally--The boat finished--Curious conversation with the cat, and other matters.
Boat-building
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boat-building extraordinary--Peterkin tries his hand at cookery and fails most signally--The boat finished--Curious conversation with the cat, and other matters.
brokenadjectiveUS /ˈbroʊkən/
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
catnounUS /kæt/
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading Boat-building extraordinary--Peterkin tries his hand at cookery and fails most signally--The boat finished--Curious conversation with the cat, and other matters.
conqueredverbUS /ˈkɑːŋkərd/
past form of “conquer” — bring under control by force or authority
From this reading He was of, that disposition which _will_ not be conquered.
constructionnounUS /kənˈstrʌkʃən/
the act of constructing something
From this reading For many days after this Jack applied himself with unremitting assiduity to the construction of our boat, which at length began to look somewhat like one.
conversationnounUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃən/
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Boat-building extraordinary--Peterkin tries his hand at cookery and fails most signally--The boat finished--Curious conversation with the cat, and other matters.
cookerynoun
the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat
From this reading Boat-building extraordinary--Peterkin tries his hand at cookery and fails most signally--The boat finished--Curious conversation with the cat, and other matters.
CuriousadjectiveUS /ˈkjʊriəs/
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading Boat-building extraordinary--Peterkin tries his hand at cookery and fails most signally--The boat finished--Curious conversation with the cat, and other matters.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading For many days after this Jack applied himself with unremitting assiduity to the construction of our boat, which at length began to look somewhat like one.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But Jack did it.
difficultynounUS /ˈdɪfəkəlti/
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
dispositionnounUS /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/
your usual mood
From this reading He was of, that disposition which _will_ not be conquered.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
entertainverbUS /ˌentərˈteɪn/
provide entertainment for
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
extraordinaryadjectiveUS /ˌekstrəˈɔːrdəneri/
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading Boat-building extraordinary--Peterkin tries his hand at cookery and fails most signally--The boat finished--Curious conversation with the cat, and other matters.
failsverbUS /feɪlz/
third-person singular of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Boat-building extraordinary--Peterkin tries his hand at cookery and fails most signally--The boat finished--Curious conversation with the cat, and other matters.
finishedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪnɪʃt/
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading Boat-building extraordinary--Peterkin tries his hand at cookery and fails most signally--The boat finished--Curious conversation with the cat, and other matters.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For many days after this Jack applied himself with unremitting assiduity to the construction of our boat, which at length began to look somewhat like one.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Boat-building extraordinary--Peterkin tries his hand at cookery and fails most signally--The boat finished--Curious conversation with the cat, and other matters.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was of, that disposition which _will_ not be conquered.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading For many days after this Jack applied himself with unremitting assiduity to the construction of our boat, which at length began to look somewhat like one.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Boat-building extraordinary--Peterkin tries his hand at cookery and fails most signally--The boat finished--Curious conversation with the cat, and other matters.
hoop-iron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
ideanounUS /aɪˈdiːə/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
implementsnounUS /ˈɪmpləmənts/
plural of “implement” — instrumentation (a piece of equipment or tool) used to effect an end
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
involvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlvd/
connected by participation or association or use
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But Jack did it.
JacknounUS /dʒæk/
a small worthless amount
From this reading For many days after this Jack applied himself with unremitting assiduity to the construction of our boat, which at length began to look somewhat like one.
lengthnounUS /leŋkθ/
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading For many days after this Jack applied himself with unremitting assiduity to the construction of our boat, which at length began to look somewhat like one.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading For many days after this Jack applied himself with unremitting assiduity to the construction of our boat, which at length began to look somewhat like one.
lookverbUS /lʊk/
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading For many days after this Jack applied himself with unremitting assiduity to the construction of our boat, which at length began to look somewhat like one.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading For many days after this Jack applied himself with unremitting assiduity to the construction of our boat, which at length began to look somewhat like one.
mattersnounUS /ˈmætərz/
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Boat-building extraordinary--Peterkin tries his hand at cookery and fails most signally--The boat finished--Curious conversation with the cat, and other matters.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading Boat-building extraordinary--Peterkin tries his hand at cookery and fails most signally--The boat finished--Curious conversation with the cat, and other matters.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was of, that disposition which _will_ not be conquered.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For many days after this Jack applied himself with unremitting assiduity to the construction of our boat, which at length began to look somewhat like one.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For many days after this Jack applied himself with unremitting assiduity to the construction of our boat, which at length began to look somewhat like one.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Boat-building extraordinary--Peterkin tries his hand at cookery and fails most signally--The boat finished--Curious conversation with the cat, and other matters.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading For many days after this Jack applied himself with unremitting assiduity to the construction of our boat, which at length began to look somewhat like one.
pen-knife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
Peterkin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boat-building extraordinary--Peterkin tries his hand at cookery and fails most signally--The boat finished--Curious conversation with the cat, and other matters.
rightadverbUS /raɪt/
precisely, exactly
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
sail-needle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
signallyadverb
as a signal
From this reading Boat-building extraordinary--Peterkin tries his hand at cookery and fails most signally--The boat finished--Curious conversation with the cat, and other matters.
somewhatadverbUS /ˈsʌmˈwʌt/
to a small degree or extent
From this reading For many days after this Jack applied himself with unremitting assiduity to the construction of our boat, which at length began to look somewhat like one.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was of, that disposition which _will_ not be conquered.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Boat-building extraordinary--Peterkin tries his hand at cookery and fails most signally--The boat finished--Curious conversation with the cat, and other matters.
thingnounUS /θɪŋ/
a special situation
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading For many days after this Jack applied himself with unremitting assiduity to the construction of our boat, which at length began to look somewhat like one.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For many days after this Jack applied himself with unremitting assiduity to the construction of our boat, which at length began to look somewhat like one.
triesnounUS /traɪz/
plural of “try” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Boat-building extraordinary--Peterkin tries his hand at cookery and fails most signally--The boat finished--Curious conversation with the cat, and other matters.
undertakingnounUS /ˈʌndərteɪkɪŋ/
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
unremittingadjectiveUS /ˌʌnrɪˈmɪtɪŋ/
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
From this reading For many days after this Jack applied himself with unremitting assiduity to the construction of our boat, which at length began to look somewhat like one.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was of, that disposition which _will_ not be conquered.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For many days after this Jack applied himself with unremitting assiduity to the construction of our boat, which at length began to look somewhat like one.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading But those only who have had the thing to do can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron, a sail-needle, and a broken pen-knife.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading He was of, that disposition which _will_ not be conquered.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Boat-building extraordinary--Peterkin tries his hand at cookery and fails most signally--The boat finished--Curious conversation with the cat, and other matters.
